Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Stephen.G.Fiddes on October 20, 2014, 07:56:35 PM
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Anyone who has seen me involved in a conversation about lighting, and the use of HID's knows I am a HUGE fan of projectors. Why? Because they work, and are far safer than throwing HID's into a stock housing designed for halogen bulbs. It's a bit more work, but the end result is WELL worth the effort involved, as you will see in the pictures and video below.
EDIT: Look at this link for a very good explanation as to why putting HID's in a non-HID intended housing is a very bad thing! http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/ (http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/)
I do not recommend rushing this. Plan a couple evenings of preparation, and a couple full days of work. I had to rush it at the end (cause surprise, I had to ride my bike the next day due to the wife taking the car) and that lead to a couple mistakes that were completely avoidable.
This is my 4th retrofit, first using the quick-fit method. My last three were an Infinity projector into a sealed housing on my Honda CM450E, and I did, and Re-did the retrofit on my 650 with B-stock Mini-H1 1.0's
I will included what I ordered from TheRetrofitSource.com, and also what I recommend most people order instead. (I got all b-stock parts because I'm cheap and willing to do a bit of extra work.)
My stuff:
Generic Mini H1 Projectors: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/standard-mini-h1-bi-xenon-projectors.html#.VEW5YPl4p4c (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/standard-mini-h1-bi-xenon-projectors.html#.VEW5YPl4p4c)
These are NOT to TRS spec. It's the same supplier, but TRS has them do special things to make a better product. With fine-tuning, these are equivilant in quality to the Morimoto Mini-H1 3.0, the current gen of Morimoto Mini H1's is 6.0 at the time of this posting.
Gatling Gun 2.0 Shrouds: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/shrouds/gatling-gun-2-0-projector-shrouds.html#.VEW6cfl4p4c (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/shrouds/gatling-gun-2-0-projector-shrouds.html#.VEW6cfl4p4c)
I got the B-stock ones with my order, this link is the QC'd ones. I recommend these ones over the Mini-Gatling's due to the size of our housing. The mini gatlings will be too small, these provide a much more OEM look.
Wiring Harness: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/harnesses/morimoto-h4-motorcycle-dual-lamp-wire-harness.html#.VEW7lvl4p4c (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/harnesses/morimoto-h4-motorcycle-dual-lamp-wire-harness.html#.VEW7lvl4p4c)
This is required to maintain your high-beam low-beam function, and also takes a load off of the bikes skinny wiring. Makes the job SO much easier
I had HID's and ballasts already.
MY RECOMMENDATION!!!! http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-retrofit-kits/motorcycle-stage-iii-kit-dual-headlight.html#.VEW8EPl4p4c (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-retrofit-kits/motorcycle-stage-iii-kit-dual-headlight.html#.VEW8EPl4p4c)
All of the stuff I listed out is in one place. No need to do all the extra leg work I did piecing things together. I know if you call in your order, they will do this kit with B-stock items at a reduced price to reflect B-stock prices. The advantage to the full kit, is you don't have to do any tuning, or testing. It all has been tested and is known to work. (I recommend firing everything up really quick before completing the install, like you'll see in my video below, but you won't have to do the few hours of extra work I had to do in tuning them.)
PHOTOS
Bike from front
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21835;image)
Housing lit up at night
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21833;image)
Low Beam Wall
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21817;image)
High Beam Wall
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21819;image)
Low Beam for Oncoming (Comparison with other cars for oncoming as well)
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21821;image)
High Beam for Oncoming
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21823;image)
Low Beam Rider Wide
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21825;image)
High Beam Rider Wide
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21827;image)
Low Beam Rider slight zoom
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21829;image)
High Beam Rider slight zoom
(http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18243.0;attach=21831;image)
COMPLETE WALK-THROUGH VIDEO (24:xx minutes long)
In this video I discuss how to do this, and also some issues I came across along the way/ how I overcame them.
2013 (2008-2014) Concours 14 Projector Retrofit complete Walkthrough (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nytcUGSktng#ws)
NIGHTTIME PREVIEW VIDEO
http://youtu.be/_xB5A_MJ1ZU (http://youtu.be/_xB5A_MJ1ZU)
EDIT: I've had a lot of people ask "How do you change the HID bulb when it burns out? Do I have to take it all apart?" The answer is "No." Changing the HID in the back of the projector, is the same exact process as changing the stock bulb. Undo a clip, pull the bulb out, re-do the clip. If you've got small hands like me, this may be possible with everything still mounted on the bike. (as long as you don't touch the bulb to anything)
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Photos
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More Photos
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And more photos
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Stephen
Very impressive mod and marvelous documentation.
SW Roadrunner
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Thanks RoadRunner!
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Nice info, you put a lot of effort into documenting the procedure. Good idea testing it completely while it was off the bike. I just wish I had the energy to do such a retrofit!!! The results look so incredibly good that I won't even complain about your mispronunciation of "Concours" in the video (hint- the "s" is silent) ;)
The question is- would you do it all again?
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Nice info, you put a lot of effort into documenting the procedure. Good idea testing it completely while it was off the bike. I just wish I had the energy to do such a retrofit!!! The results look so incredibly good that I won't even complain about your mispronunciation of "Concours" in the video (hint- the "s" is silent) ;)
The question is- would you do it all again?
Ive heard it both ways, and this is America, not France haha.
This is my 4th, and definately not my last. Ill be fixing a couple small issues with this one, and soon be ordering parts to do this on my wife's Focus. I will probably do this on every vehile i ever own that doesnt come with bi-xenon (hi-low) HID projectors. (Until better technology is affordable)
Its alot of work, but the added safety is so wrth it to me.
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Ive heard it both ways, and this is America, not France haha.
"Army Corps of Engineers" touche' !!!
This is my 4th, and definately not my last. Ill be fixing a couple small issues with this one, and soon be ordering parts to do this on my wife's Focus. I will probably do this on every vehicle i ever own that doesnt come with bi-xenon (hi-low) HID projectors. (Until better technology is affordable)
Its alot of work, but the added safety is so wrth it to me.
I am incredibly jealous. It looks like a lot of weight to be sitting on something designed to hold just a little bulb (are the lenses plastic or glass? I assume plastic/acrylic, but that is heavy too). What keeps that shroud in place? I am surprised you didn't sneak some decorative LED's in there around the inner housing perimeter (I imagine that might be hard to make look "factory good", though).
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"Army Corps of Engineers" touche' !!!
I am incredibly jealous. It looks like a lot of weight to be sitting on something designed to hold just a little bulb (are the lenses plastic or glass? I assume plastic/acrylic, but that is heavy too). What keeps that shroud in place? I am surprised you didn't sneak some decorative LED's in there around the inner housing perimeter (I imagine that might be hard to make look "factory good", though).
So by that logic is the S at the end of "engineers" silent? LOL!
Believe it or not, it doesnt weigh much. The weight is spread out enough at the back that it shouldnt be an issue. The factory reflector bowls are pretty beefy too. I thought about putting re-enforcement in during planning, but once i got in there i was like "what?! This is easy!"
Lenses are glass.
First thing everyone asks me: "why didnt you put angel eyes on it?"
Because its not a F&$@!ng BMW! (Thank God)
"You should have put green halos on it"
No, because then id have to wheelie down the freeway in flip-flops while running from the cops... Do you know how heavy this bike is?!
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So by that logic is the S at the end of "engineers" silent? LOL!
ahhh, forget it, it only works in his favor ::)
Great job on the mod, it looks neat and the light pattern looks fantastic. Any improvement while leaning? I have no problem straight on but got spoiled by the magic of the K1600's tilting lights in the curves.
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:goodpost:
Two questions for ya!
1 how did you convince your wife to let you bake you shroud in her oven?
2 what brand of coffee you drinking? It seemed to really put you into overdrive in a few segments of your video :rotflmao:
Oh and one more, how many hrs do you think this took you?
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"You should have put green halos on it"
No, because then id have to wheelie down the freeway in flip-flops while running from the cops... Do you know how heavy this bike is?!
LOL!
Well, no, I was talking about marker lights or brows or such. But I know what you mean. There is nice and there is rice....
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Eeeew- It just occurred to me, what happens when a bulb blows? You have to disassemble the bike again and bake the cover off and then put it all back???
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:goodpost:
Great info! Thanks for posting. But I don't know morris code so what was the message in the video? ;D
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:thumbs: :thumbs: :cool:
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Sweet mod! 8)
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:goodpost:
Two questions for ya!
1 how did you convince your wife to let you bake you shroud in her oven?
2 what brand of coffee you drinking? It seemed to really put you into overdrive in a few segments of your video :rotflmao:
Oh and one more, how many hrs do you think this took you?
I don't ask, and neither does she. As long as I'm not wearing my nice jeans (like I was during this project... lol shhhh) she doesn't question it. lol
Whatever is in the cupboard. lol
Around 8 total, but should have taken me 10-12. Had I not been rushed to get everything back together, it would have taken a bit longer, and had one or 2 less mistakes (There's 3 glaring to me).
LOL!
Well, no, I was talking about marker lights or brows or such. But I know what you mean. There is nice and there is rice....
As I was planning it, I thought about it, and decided after seeing some others that it would be too much. I want to do some RIGID pods under the mirrors, and I think that anything more than that and I'd start to look like those bikes that show up to sturgis glowing.
Eeeew- It just occurred to me, what happens when a bulb blows? You have to disassemble the bike again and bake the cover off and then put it all back???
There is space between the reflector cup and the actual back of the housing, shake glass under the reflector cup, go around the side, and pour it out the spot where the rubber seal is on the back.
:goodpost:
Great info! Thanks for posting. But I don't know morris code so what was the message in the video? ;D
LOL! That was the focus motor in the lens cause I forgot to put it on manual focus. lol
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This is very cool. I might just have to do this too!
Thanks for the detailed writeup and pics/vid!
-Jeff
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This is very cool. I might just have to do this too!
Thanks for the detailed writeup and pics/vid!
-Jeff
Let me know if you have questions! If you want help, lemme know too since we live so close! :chugbeer:
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I updated my OP with the following
EDIT: I've had a lot of people ask "How do you change the HID bulb when it burns out? Do I have to take it all apart?" The answer is "No." Changing the HID in the back of the projector, is the same exact process as changing the stock bulb. Undo a clip, pull the bulb out, re-do the clip. If you've got small hands like me, this may be possible with everything still mounted on the bike. (as long as you don't touch the bulb to anything)
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Stephen,
What temperature bulbs are you running? And what are you using for the city lights?
Gerry
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Stephen,
What temperature bulbs are you running? And what are you using for the city lights?
Gerry
5000k 35 watt.
5000k Cree T10 LED
Stay tuned for update to the city lights... Got something else in the works when I tear the housing back apart to replace the damaged shroud. (whenever I get around to that)
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5000k 35 watt.
5000k Cree T10 LED
Stay tuned for update to the city lights... Got something else in the works when I tear the housing back apart to replace the damaged shroud. (whenever I get around to that)
Excellent!
Looking forward to the update.
Great video, thanks for doing all the hard work.
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Updated the OP with the following link, explaining why putting HID's in a non-HID housing is a bad thing!
http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/ (http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/)
Note: There are some vehicles with HID's with reflector housings from the factory (Earlier Volvo S60R for example). But as you see in the link, the difference in the spacing of the light source is one of the things that changes how the light reacts to the different reflections.
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Updated the OP with the following link, explaining why putting HID's in a non-HID housing is a bad thing!
http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/ (http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/)
Love it
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http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/ (http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/)
Indeed, great article. Now I understand that whiter light is not always better; but I like it better, though. Anyway, I'm happy with something in the 3000-4000 K region.
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Indeed, great article. Now I understand that whiter light is not always better; but I like it better, though. Anyway, I'm happy with something in the 3000-4000 K region.
Actually, he should probably add to the site that with HID technology, the higher the color temperature is over around 5K, the LESS EFFICIENT the bulb and the total light output goes down.
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5k is my personal choice, although I may get some 3k to use for winter.
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Going to give this a bump for the LED bulb guy... Linking his thread to this one too...
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Excellent How to Video!!
Anyone attempting this should use great caution when putting plastic assemblies in the oven. Although I have not but any motorcycle related stuff in my wives oven I did put some electronic gear in there and although the oven was set at abt 175 the plastic melted and deformed. I guess there were hot spots as the heating elements came on to maintain the temp.
Fred
Wa2gzw
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My wife would kill me if I did that.