Headlight reflector

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

When we took our Sl for it's Mot a couple of years ago the tester at the MB dealership  failed it on the number plates digit spacing.
The combination of 4 letters & one  number were not mis-spaced to spell a name the plates were marked with the the plate manufacturer details plus the relevant BS code or whatever was the law 20 years ago when we bought the plates. It had passed it's Mot at the same MB dealer as it was since 2004.

Despite my protestations the tester would not re-consider the fail. IMHO he was applying the spacing rules for a modern 7 digit registration marks to a 5 digit plate incorrectly. I purchased a replacement set of plates online the - the only slight difference I could see was the gap between the first letter and the next number was marginally closer about 1/4" on the new plate. I was not charged for the re-test.

[K2-K6]

Personally I wouldn't fit anything that could possibly lead to annoyance like blinded oncomers. I was raised with the proverb: what you do not want done to you, do not do to others.

A rather moral stance for inclusion in technical topic, making the assumption that there's fault present in the LED installation, which may or may not be true.

IF the beam pattern complies with existing legislation, and testing by reflectance chart geometry, then why would it offer a compromised outcome  ?

Most std don't appear to list the light scource as technical prerequisite, but the output alignment in general.

[Bryanj]

There is a difference between car and bike cutoff, bikes can go straight up and down cars must go to kerb

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Personally I wouldn't fit anything that could possibly lead to annoyance like blinded oncomers. I was raised with the proverb: what you do not want done to you, do not do to others.

I agree with your comments, nowt wrong with putting a moral stance in amongst the technical details.
A lot of current modern car LED lighting leaves a lot to be desired be it overly bright dip beams to side indicators that are hard to see in good daylight as some are very narrow. Might be legal but can still cause annoyance.

[Laverda Dave]

A shame such a moral stance wasn't taken by the complete tosser who drove into the back of our car on Thursday whilst my wife was undertaking a home visit as a NHS Midwife. When she came out the rear wing, wheelarch, sill and bumper had been stoved in. The person who did this had no morals whatsoever and just left the scene. The result is if we claim on our insurance it is us who will pay the higher premiums, not the scumbag who caused the damage and who obviously has no insurance, licence, MOT or whatever.
I have lived by strict morals all my life however when those around me refuse to do so and considering this is London where illegal driving appears to be the norm these days with no punshiment whatsoever I'll do exactly what I want to when it comes to something trivial such as fitting an LED bulb if I consider what I am doing is a matter for my own personal safety.

[deltarider]

To be sure, I'll reread forsaid test which was published in a motormagazine edited by the very trustworthy ANWB (our AA), but I'm pretty sure it said: LED? OK, but in a reflector designed for LED. H4 halogen? OK, but in a reflector designed for H4. EU legislation it explained.
There's a lot in the market right now. I tend to have confident in products by Osram and Philips, but I can wait. In traffic I favor uniformity and I will fit nothing that could be at the expense of fellow motorists.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That's dreadful Dave now't worse that Hit & Run drivers - they don't seem to bother even if they hit a pedestrian.
Just a lack of integrity and values that seems so prevalent today.

The apparent  lack of everyday Roads Polcing is the start of something they will live to regret.
As a probationer you learnt to engage with the local population through stopping motor vehicles and talking to young drivers well meeting local criminals in the process.
My first arrest for a garage burglary was when I stopped a local lad in Clowne near chesterfield for driving through a short pedestrian tunnel.

I noticed that the wheels on his old Austin 1100 looked almost brand new, I was aware of a theft of wheels from a private garage. Duly arrested, invertigated, home searched and charged with Burglary - as my old Sergeant used to say most Burglars don't walk to a commit crime.

[deltarider]

Here the answer from Germany.
Osram und Philips bieten zugelassene LED H7 aber auch H4 an. Du darfts sie aber nur nachrüsten wenn sie für das Fahrzeug auch geprüft und zugelassen sind.
Für die Hondas wird das wohl nicht der Fall sein.
So, you can only fit them, if they've been tested and admitted for your specific vehicle. That's also what the article said.

[Laverda Dave]

In the UK it appears we can now use LED replacements for H4 lamps as per below:

The MOT rules have been clarified from 06.02.23 to allow the use of LED conversions that pass the beam pattern tests for headlights for Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles (car, private bus and light commercial vehicle) first used before 1 April 1986 and all class 1 and 2 motorcycles of any age.

That's good enough for me 

[deltarider]

Ofcourse, but I, on the European continent, am not prepared to spend € 80,- on a bulb, unless I am absolutely sure it's an overall improvement. Until then I will remain satisfied with my 60/55W H4 in the H4 reflector, the bike came with. Saves me the job to create enough room for the ventilator well known brands have. Personally I don't need anything brighter as already now reflecting road signs irritate me.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

How much - 80 Euros for a bulb!

[Skoti]

Ofcourse, but I, on the European continent, am not prepared to spend € 80,- on a bulb, unless I am absolutely sure it's an overall improvement. Until then I will remain satisfied with my 60/55W H4 in the H4 reflector, the bike came with. Saves me the job to create enough room for the ventilator well known brands have. Personally I don't need anything brighter as already now reflecting road signs irritate me.

Here's a cheaper one that will fit your reflector, and it's CE certified for our EU forum members:-

https://www.tecnoglobe.be/tecnoglobe/en/motorcycle-led/10522-extra-compact-motorcycle-led-bulb.html

Motorbikes TecnoGlobe's LED bulbs are CE certified and use CSP Led technology to provide 300% better lighting quality than conventional bulb.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've sent you a PM about LED bulb.