CB550 HID headlamp conversion

[Ashdowner]

Has anyone installed an HID headlamp conversion kit on a CB550 and if so would welcome any comments.

[Bryanj]

Charging system won't cope unless you drive like a loony at max revs

[JamesH]

Anyone tried an LED conversion?

[hairygit]

Tried led's on my chicken chaser, problem is the light spectrum they give out, whilst being very bright with a low current consumption, it's actually very difficult to make out the road ahead, even the white lines can be difficult to see properly. Great for clock lights tail/brake ligjts though, and reduces electrical load considerably.

[Nurse Julie]

Someone please enlighten me, what is a HID Headlamp ?

[Green1]

High Intensity Discharge

My brother is all for them but I find whilst being brighter there is no real beam directed onto the road. So the light is lost lighting up the surroundings rather than the part of the road you want to look at.

Mick

[Nurse Julie]

That'll be no good for me then. When we were in the New Forest riding in the dark, I could see absolutely nothing with the STD 400/4 headlamp. I was informed by someone not too far from here that I had been riding on side light but, I'm really not that silly 

[Green1]

I know what you mean you forget how crap these lights are until you ride somewhere were there are no street light.

Mick 

[mike the bike]

Are you sure your headlamp works?

[Nurse Julie]

Yes, headlamp works but I probably was on side light but because it was all so dark I couldn't see the switch on the handlebar to turn it on properly   

[hairygit]

Yes, headlamp works but I probably was on side light but because it was all so dark I couldn't see the switch on the handlebar to turn it on properly   

Only a girl would admit to that! Take up smoking, then you'll always have a lighter or box of matches to see the switch

[Nurse Julie]

Of course I admit to my mistakes Hairy, I am a honest girl and only ever tell the truth, until it suits me otherwise 

[Johnwebley]

I have a 7" H4   60/55w halogen light,

 its pretty good,

 the 500 is supposed to have a 200watt altenator at 5,000rpm,

so guessing side lights,speedo/tacho etc and ignition will only get to about 100watt max,so it should be ok,
unless you spend lots of time in city traffic

[deltarider]

My 500 has been with me since 1980 and always had the 55/60 Watts halogen. The Philips X-treme vision or Motovision is stunningly good and leaves nothing to be desired. If you're really worried about charging (you shouldn't) you could choose the Philips Ecovision that has the performance of a very good 55/60 Watts halogen but draws 20% less. Philips always came out best in tests. Recommended.

[mike the bike]

The 400four headlamp shells only accept a certain shape of bulb, not available in 55/60W.  There's a thread about this already;

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=109485.0