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UK, LED and HID conversions |
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Brian UK 
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Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Online Points: 14353 |
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 Topic: UK, LED and HID conversionsPosted: 13 Jan 2021 at 19:31 |
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There has been a change to the MOT regulations affecting headlights. The tester's manual now states - Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) or
light emitting diode (LED) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units
should not be converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs. If such a
conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp. The wording says bulbs, so I don't know if the fitting of a complete CE marked reflector unit with LED light source would fall foul of this regulation. |
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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Guzzi1000SE
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Joined: 23 Dec 2018 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 257 |
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Posted: 13 Jan 2021 at 19:54 |
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I might be wrong (I usually am
 just ask the other half) but the sentence "Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs." Should surely mean that you change the reflector to an LED type it would be pass it's MOT.
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Mike H
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Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 7521 |
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Posted: 13 Jan 2021 at 23:39 |
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I would agree, a complete unit replacement is not a conversion, it's a replacement. HID or LED "bulb" put into a lamp designed for a filament bulb, yes. Glad I haven't tried it! Edited by Mike H - 13 Jan 2021 at 23:54 |
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"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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c13pep
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Joined: 31 Aug 2017 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 1585 |
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Posted: 14 Jan 2021 at 11:37 |
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Having spoken to my local MOT tester this morning they`re understanding is that the changes are due to reported fire hazards mainly around HID conversions with the original wiring looms not being heavy enough to accommodate the extra load required. With LEDs it`s more about the heat generated in tight spaces by the conversions and poor quality Chinese bulbs etc. They are awaiting their compulsory training/ exam next week to ask the questions of the examiner. Although they agree bikes aren`t a major problem they are still failing them if the standard headlight has been converted but he has agreed to ask the question regarding full headlight changes but at the minute his opinion is that the wiring issue will be the governing factor.
It will be interesting to see how this one pans out  , fortunately it won`t impact me as I don`t need mega bulbs for daylight only riding CHRIS
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you can`t have any fun in a straight line
Monza |
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Ken-Guzzibear
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Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Sileby Leics Status: Offline Points: 7029 |
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Posted: 14 Jan 2021 at 13:36 |
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To be honest swapping standard bulbs for the Nightbreaker ones do the job. make sure the reflector is good easy to get replacements.
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The Older i Get, The Better I Was
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Brian UK
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Posted: 14 Jan 2021 at 16:20 |
That doesn't make sense as HID takes less power than normal tungsten, average headlight takes 35 watts against the tungsten 55W. I always thought this was more about beam pattern and dip cut off, these cheap conversions can be very poor, and thus dazzling to oncoming traffic. Remember OEM HID must have a self levellling device fitted and indeed headlight washers. Not so sure about LED, they take much less power but heat is generated in the driver circuit. But the beam pattern is often worse, much more light but no beam. My car has full LED and a self levelling system, so not sure if that is a requirement. But remember bikes have a much shorter wheelbase so any change in loading will make a difference to dip beam cut off.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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Stevex
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Joined: 24 Nov 2020 Location: North Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 63 |
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Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 15:14 |
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Ive fitted a led h4 bulb to my LM2s original light unit.
Its sold by classic car leds and is CE and RoHS approved. The leds are positioned in exactly the same place as the h4 halogen filament and its light pattern is also the same. |
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Steve
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c13pep
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Joined: 31 Aug 2017 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 1585 |
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Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 15:49 |
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Are Aftermarket LED Bulbs Road Legal? | Will They Pass An MOT? : Automotive News by ABD.co.uk (autobulbsdirect.co.uk)
Some interesting reading on here regarding the pros and cons of after market conversions etc. In the case of my local tester he did say that headlights were not at the top of their agenda which probably explains why my BMW Zenon headlights pass the MOT despite not having either the self levelling or washer systems working, however the mechanical leveller works. It may well be down to interpretation by individual testers but I have already booked my car in to have the headlight systems repaired, as for the Monza then that will remain stock. CHRIS
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you can`t have any fun in a straight line
Monza |
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iansoady
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Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Redditch Status: Offline Points: 1951 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2021 at 10:19 |
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So I could probably (legally if not sensibly) fit a HID to my Norton which has a tungsten headlamp bulb not a halogen one?Dunno if they come in 6 volt versions however.
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Ian
1952 Norton ES2 1955 Francis Barnett Cruiser 75 |
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c13pep wrote: