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? on removing HID headlight system

6K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  Motorbikerx 
#1 ·
My 03 Vegas came with HID headlights, both hi and lo beam.I want to remove them and replace them with stock bulbs which I assume would have been halogen bulbs. I know what you're thinking... Why?
1. I curse every vehicle I meet on the road with those oughta-be-illegal-because-they-blind-you headlights.
2. The p.o.s's are only working part time.

Anyway, back to the question... what OEM type bulbs does it use, as in H8, H11, etc.?
And... would I be correct in assuming that somewhere in the rat's nest inside the headlamp, the connectors should be there to plug the OEM type bulbs back in?
Thanks
 
#3 ·
My 03 Vegas came with HID headlights, both hi and lo beam.I want to remove them and replace them with stock bulbs which I assume would have been halogen bulbs. I know what you're thinking... Why?
No, you don't know what I was thinking. I was more in the lines of: "has he bumped his head?" - But hey, you haven't seen what the halogens do yet, so you'll probably switch back to HID as soon as you do. :wink

1. I curse every vehicle I meet on the road with those oughta-be-illegal-because-they-blind-you headlights.
You're wise in not wanting to fight fire with fire. Instead, fight their lasers with a candle stick!

2. The p.o.s's are only working part time.
Sounds like operator error to me, but on your bike you're the boss.

Anyway, back to the question... what OEM type bulbs does it use, as in H8, H11, etc.?
It's embossed in the headlight's lens. You will have to look at it and read what it says. That covers you in case you don't have the stock headlight on, as many liked to swap Victory headlights around.

And... would I be correct in assuming that somewhere in the rat's nest inside the headlamp, the connectors should be there to plug the OEM type bulbs back in?
Yeeep. Disconnect one kit at a time, and connect the OEM connector straight to the halogen bulb, that way you won't mistakenly reverse the high and low beam. To check, make sure your low beam is the top bulb, and high beam is the bottom bulb.
 
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#5 ·
Yeah, dependable headlights as opposed to super bright headlights that only work sometimes. Choice is quite clear to me as I need them to work at night.
Thanks for answering my questions.

Let me share a funny story with you. My son and I were in my old Galaxie after dark. A half mile or more behind us was a tractor trailer with those F****** HID headlights... blinding me from shining in my mirrors... did I mention a half mile behind me? So as he got closer, I had to pull over because I couldn't see anything in front of me due to the HID glare in my mirrors. So he goes by and I kindly turned my ancient dim round sealed beam high beams in his left mirror and returned the favor. For some odd reason he started to slam his brakes on cuz he was pissed. Imagine that! As far as I am concerned the GD things ought to be illegal. Maybe they are. While the person who has them can see fine, no one else around them can. So really, how safe are they?
 
#16 ·
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. A half mile or more behind us was a tractor trailer with those F****** HID headlights... blinding me from shining in my mirrors... did I mention a half mile behind me? So as he got closer, I had to pull over because
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A tractor rides faster then a vic ?? Must have been a fast tractor ??

HID gives more light then stock ... Proven by pictures on this forum ...

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
#9 ·
Most likely. And doesn't know about allowing the low beam to fully ignite before starting the motor either. But he's chosen a different route to fix his problem, and doesn't want any advise, so we politely answer his questions and wish him luck on his journey.

Yes, I had an 05 Kingpin and it had factory HID. It did had the diffuser in it. And yes, I read up on this also...
VictoryHID kits have their focal length tuned to the stock reflector. The result is better light distribution than the factory HID kit, besides being brighter. Those who had their factory HID next to a VictoryHID and switched their reflector for a stock one so they could have the VictoryHID kit instead surely based their decision on hard facts, not general hearsay. Yes, the things you read about aftermarket kits are true for the most part, but they generalize on the one-kit-fits-all scenario, and that's where the problem comes from. An incorrect focal length of any light results in poor light distribution. Also a poorly designed reflector will never be able to produce quality results no matter what you do. The stock Victory reflectors happen to be top notch (besides the Judge/Gunner new headlights which have terrible reflectors, but we'll leave that subject for another time).
 
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#7 ·
I was just reading a little on HID lights. Apparently HID lights are supposed to use HID specific reflectors, not a halogen reflector, for reasons I mentioned above. From what I see, sticking an HID lamp in a non HID reflector technically makes the light illegal to use on the road. Interesting. I will have to check my headlamp reflector.
Do the Victory HID kits come with the proper reflector?
 
#8 ·
Yes, I had an 05 Kingpin and it had factory HID. It did had the diffuser in it. And yes, I read up on this also. If you put an aftermarket HID in a stock non-HID housing, it doesn't diffuse it and the light is not controlled and directed correctly. The light may look brighter looking at it, but the light doesn't offer further visibility or better visibility. Unless you call distracting everyone else better. It's actually more dangerous than stock lighting. And I agree, it use to be illegal to have too bright of light due to blinding people. But today unfortunately, people these days don't seem to care about other people anymore. As long as they "feel" better.
 
#12 ·
Reducing the power of your lights will not stop you from being blinded by other inconsiderate drivers maladjusted headlights.
I too have a problem with how bright modern headlights, as well as tail lights even, have become, it's made worse when they're badly adjusted.
I have VICTORY HID headlight system in my 2010 Vegas and love it.
It is correctly adjusted and I rarely get flashed by oncoming vehicles.
If I do I can fight back with my searing HID high beam.
When riding my Kawasaki with its pissweak halogen globe I'm defenceless against modern headlights that are out of adjustment or inconsiderate drivers who remain on high beam.

The delay on startup can be got around by patiently waiting a few seconds after turning your ignition key on for the low beam to arm itself.
Usually by the time your fuel pump has primed you can hit your starter button and your engine will start and your low beam will remain illuminated.
I've only once in the last two years hit my starter before the light has had a chance to arm itself and been left with no headlight.

VICTORY HID is a superior light to OEM by far, I do a lot of nightriding and in the Aussie bush the VICTORY HID system in a necessity.
 
#19 ·
If you mean the large vehicles used by farmers to pull plows, etc. then he would probably call it a tractor :)
 
#20 ·
Now that's a tractor ...

I cal a spade a spade, so don't cal a semi a tractor ... Ha ha ha

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
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