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Author Topic: Headlight Conversion Kit?  (Read 2002 times)

razz2234

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Headlight Conversion Kit?
« on: December 13, 2009, 10:12:21 AM »
Is there a headlight conversion kit available for a 1981 R65 sold anywhere? I imagine there would have to be a new wire harness and relay involved but I'd like to switch over to something more reliable. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2009, 10:26:21 AM »
What exactly do you want to install on the bike ?

Sealed beam bulb, HID .
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

razz2234

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2009, 03:17:25 PM »
Would like to install HID if I can find a conversion from the stock bulb and wiring to the HID.

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2009, 08:15:04 PM »
Do a search, I posted about this when I converted my RT a while back...
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline jamo

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2009, 07:39:52 AM »
Hi
Greetings from the UK I cannot post a web address yet I am too new.
Take a look at the Novablue site here in the uk they do HID replacement headlamps equivelent 55/65w are only 35w on  load

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2009, 01:53:48 PM »
While I don't have any personal experience, with HID retrofit kits, two co-workers, one with a Honda 'Leadwing', and the other with a late model Victory bike, installed the single wattage type HID kit, and weren't happy with the results .

The kit that Justin installed, has a movable reflector on the bulb, so when high or low beam is selected, it moves, and supposedly improves the light pattern .

You may want to consider installing a relay kit for the headlight .

http://www.easternbeaver.com/

From what I've read, the voltage drop in a stock headlight circuit, is enough to cause a significant reduction in headlight performance .
« Last Edit: December 14, 2009, 02:00:57 PM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline wilcom

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2010, 06:27:45 PM »
I just converted my son's 99 Buell H4 to HID for about $50-60 from
 http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=106&parent=61

They have a very small ballast and the wiring loom that came with it was decent, a snap to install. He says it's about 3X the light he had b4. Will convert the 79 R65 when I get it home.
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA

Present:
1984 BMW R65LS "Herr Head"
past:
1982 BMW R65LS
1979 R65
1980 R65
1982 R80RT
1974 R90/6
1972 R75
1964 R50/2
19xx R27
ZX-11

chewy4x4

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2010, 12:14:18 AM »
 Wilcom post pics and a how to when you do the 79 it will benefit us all.
Thanks Chewy
« Last Edit: February 20, 2010, 12:34:30 AM by chewy4x4 »

Offline steve hawkins

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2010, 07:02:02 AM »
I have always found the R65 headlight to be an excellent piece of equipement, although I have updated the bulb to a halogen item.

Frankly, on the UK roads I see no reason to runner a brighter or more far reaching set-up.

Are you trying to light up the next county?

Curious

Steve H

Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline Lucky_Lou

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Re: Headlight Conversion Kit?
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2010, 10:39:50 AM »
There have been a number of cases in the UK where insurance companies have refused payouts on accidents when the other vehicle drivers complained about being blinded by HID. If your fitting them in the UK you would be well advised to run it passed your insurance company first.
Lou
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