Morimoto HID headlight conversion

[Tremor38]

Howdy all.
After Twinrider's review, I pulled the trigger on the Morimoto V35 conversion kit. I chose 5000k bulbs to match the color of my Baja Squadron LED driving lights. I rarely post any of the MODs I do as most of them are bolt-on and farely straight forward, but this install had a twist to it, which I'll cover later.

Shown here is the only is the only modification to the bike that is necessary. I used a 22mm hole saw to make an opening in the headlight access covers to accept grommets through which the wiring passes.

Shown below is what gave me brief pause, and motivated me to post the mod. As you can see, the headlight connector is too wide to pass through the hole, which can't be made larger because the grommet wont fit properly. Before anyone asks, the bulb doesn't fit through either, and is hard-wired.

Here is the culprit connector. Time to play doctor.

Unsnap the strain relief from the connector.

Insert the smallest straight-slot jewelers screwdriver you can find into the notch on the outside of each pin to release the retention tab.

Gently pull the wire to remove the pin from the connector body. You may have to pry gently against the pin if at first it doesn't release. Take care not to damage the watertight seals.

Feed the wires through the hole you made in the bulb access cover and insert the grommet into the hole. Reassemble the connecter. Easy peasey... assembly is the reverse disassembly . All the parts just snap back together.

Following, TwinRider's recommendation, I applied sealant where the wires pass through the grommet. Also applied sealant between the grommet and cover for insurance.

Here's a shot of one of the ballasts. I used two spot ties to secure them. They are surprisingly secure using this method.

That's all for now until I test these puppies out. Just thought I'd highlight the WTF moment along with a few ideas. I'm sure y'all can figure out the rest.



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[Karson]

The nice thing about the morimoto is the ballast and igniter are all in the one box, although a tiny amount bigger. Did you wire it in with a relay, by chance?

Good pics!

 

[Tremor38]

An update, with some bad news.

I finished the installation and brought the bike to local dealer to have the lights adjusted.

The tech was having trouble getting the L/R adjustment in spec, so he opened the covers and looked at the bulbs. He noted that they weren't completely seated in the projector bodies causing a crooked orientation within the projector. He played with the bulbs, but couldn't get them to seat flushly. Upon comparing the Morimoto bulbs with some H7's he had in the shop, the alignment donut at the base of the glass portion of the Morimoto bulb was much larger in diameter and doesn't allow complete insertion into the projector.

Here ends my Morimoto experiment. I cannot recommend them for the S10. Will attempt to get a refund.

For TwinRider, I noticed that the wires, combined with the added height of the aft portion of the bulb, makes it extremely difficult to close the covers completey to get a good seal. More often then not, the O-ring is visible with the cover installed. This could be where your water intrusion is coming from, and seems a much more likely cause than the grommets.



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[Karson]

An update, with some bad news.

I finished the installation and brought the bike to local dealer to have the lights adjusted.

The tech was having trouble getting the L/R adjustment in spec, so he opened the covers and looked at the bulbs. He noted that they weren't completely seated in the projector bodies causing a crooked orientation within the projector. He played with the bulbs, but couldn't get them to seat flushly. Upon comparing the Morimoto bulbs with some H7's he had in the shop, the alignment donut at the base of the glass portion of the Morimoto bulb was much larger in diameter and doesn't allow complete insertion into the projector.

Here ends my Morimoto experiment. I cannot recommend them for the S10. Will attempt to get a refund.

For TwinRider, I noticed that the wires, combined with the added height of the aft portion of the bulb, makes it extremely difficult to close the covers completey to get a good seal. More often then not, the O-ring is visible with the cover installed. This could be where your water intrusion is coming from, and seems a much more likely cause than the grommets.



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Were those with the standard bulbs that come with the kit, or the upgraded XB35's? I haven't been in the lighting game for very long, so I might be wrong in saying this, but an H7 bulb size should be an H7 bulb size. If that makes sense.

Could you take a pic and upload it showing the difference? It also might be worth reaching out to morimoto themselves or the vendor you bought them from to see what's up

http://www.morimotohid.com/contact.html

 

[Tremor38]

Heres a side-by-side pic with an OEM bulb. The black alignment ring at the bottom of the glass of the Morimoto is visably larger in diameter (confirmed with a caliper) than the metal ring on the OEM bulb sitting next to it. There is abrasion on the alighment ring of the V35s from trying to wiggle them into the hole. The V35's (premium version) are still installed in the bike, so I'm using a base version 'three five' which uses same alignment ring.

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[avc8130]

Could you fix that with some sand paper? Looks like it's just plastic.

ac

 

[Tremor38]

Re: Re: Morimoto HID headlight conversion

Could you fix that with some sand paper? Looks like it's just plastic.

ac

I had the same thought, but the tech cautioned me against it as I would have to get it perfect to have proper alignment. I still might try.

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[Karson]

It'd be cool if you took pics of how you ended up getting it all setup. Never considered the base of the bulbs to cause issues, I was trying to wrap my head around the 7' of wiring they give for the motorcycle relay harness. Might have to do some trimming

Quality unit nonetheless, though. Which is why I guess I'm surprised.

 

[twinrider]

An update, with some bad news.

I finished the installation and brought the bike to local dealer to have the lights adjusted.

The tech was having trouble getting the L/R adjustment in spec, so he opened the covers and looked at the bulbs. He noted that they weren't completely seated in the projector bodies causing a crooked orientation within the projector. He played with the bulbs, but couldn't get them to seat flushly. Upon comparing the Morimoto bulbs with some H7's he had in the shop, the alignment donut at the base of the glass portion of the Morimoto bulb was much larger in diameter and doesn't allow complete insertion into the projector.

Here ends my Morimoto experiment. I cannot recommend them for the S10. Will attempt to get a refund.

For TwinRider, I noticed that the wires, combined with the added height of the aft portion of the bulb, makes it extremely difficult to close the covers completey to get a good seal. More often then not, the O-ring is visible with the cover installed. This could be where your water intrusion is coming from, and seems a much more likely cause than the grommets.



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If you ordered and received the exact same bulbs as me, then I suggest you double check your installation because mine fit perfectly and the covers close perfectly (I have opened and closed them several times without issue). The water intrusion problem I first experienced was resolved by sealing the grommets with RTV.

In addition, my dealer is certified to do motorcycle inspections (JCI) and as such has the official headlight aim-verification machine. He was, right in front of me and without any dramas, able to adjust my beams perfectly to pass inspection.

Advfirefighter also had no issues with his Morimoto installation so if you have the right bulbs and the installation was done right, they should work no problem.

 

[Tremor38]

If you ordered and received the exact same bulbs as me, then I suggest you double check your installation because mine fit perfectly and the covers close perfectly (I have opened and closed them several times without issue). The water intrusion problem I first experienced was resolved by sealing the grommets with RTV.

In addition, my dealer is certified to do motorcycle inspections (JCI) and as such has the official headlight aim-verification machine. He was, right in front of me and without any dramas, able to adjust my beams perfectly to pass inspection.

Advfirefighter also had no issues with his Morimoto installation so if you have the right bulbs and the installation was done right, they should work no problem.

Well, congratulations.

Maybe there was a hiccup in the assembly process. I removed the XB35 bulbs and replaced them with some Morimoto 'three fives,' which fit perfectly and adjusted to a nats ass. I'm happy for now. The XB35s that I RECIEVED really, really had larger alignment donuts that didn't fit in the projectors. The rest of the base was definitely H7.

My dealer has all of the same certifications. Other dealers in the area often seek his advice and services. I have worked with him for over a decade, and implicitly trust him.

Furthermore, my dad can beat up your dad. O0 All kidding and assumptions aside, I really wish it HAD been a mistake on my part. The Retrofit Source's answer regarding this issue was that I must have 'atypical projectors' and that they use nothing but 'industry standard' bases. I then asked them why the XB35's they sent me didn't fit properly, yet the three fives fit perfectly. Had to sarcastically add that the 'three fives' must be 'atypical bulbs' because they fit my 'atypical projectors.' ::008::


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[twinrider]

Well, congratulations.

Maybe there was a hiccup in the assembly process. I removed the XB35 bulbs and replaced them with some Morimoto 'three fives,' which fit perfectly and adjusted to a nats ass. I'm happy for now. The XB35s that I RECIEVED really, really had larger alignment donuts that didn't fit in the projectors. The rest of the base was definitely H7.

My dealer has all of the same certifications. Other dealers in the area often seek his advice and services. I have worked with him for over a decade, and implicitly trust him.

Furthermore, my dad can beat up your dad. O0


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Sounds to me like TRS sent you the wrong bulbs or defective ones. I'm sure they will take care of it at no cost to you, everyone says their customer service is excellent.

They should also be able to clarify if any alignment differences exist in the bases of the 3-5s and the XB35s. Can't see that there should be considering both are expected to fit into a standard H7 socket. Let us know what they say...

 

[Tremor38]

OK, so in case you didn't see it amongst the noise in my last post, I pulled the XB35's and installed Morimoto's non premium 'Three Five' bulbs, which fit my projectors perfectly.
Brought the bike back to the dealer after that, and he had them adjusted properly in about 2 minutes.

No pix yet, but I tested them this evening and am quite pleased overall. The low-beam pattern is comparable to the OEM bulbs, but the dead spots are slightly more pronounced, most likely because the brighter HID bulbs create more contrast. The OEM halogen low beams have slightly more even dispersion, which is not uncommon when comparing halogen to HID. In high beam, there is no comparison. The Morimotos put out gobs of light! Most noticeable is the increased range, and dare I say they also have a bit more vertical and horizontal spread. I rode with my Baja Squadrons off for most of the ride to evaluate the HID's. Turned the Squadrons on near the end of the ride and good Gawd!....With the Squadrons and the HID's both running on high, the amount of light is almost surreal. ::001::

Would still like to run the premium bulbs because the higher build quality is readily apparent, but I want The Retrofit Source to measure the alignment ring before sending them to me. Still waiting for their answer. Hopefully when the rest of you order it all goes smoothly, as my case seems to be an anomaly.

 

[mcbrien]

I'm having issues with some piaa bulbs I bought , might be the same issue . time to go measure .
Thanks

 

[Karson]

One of my H7's in my ddm tuning kit were snaggletoothed and pointing outwards when I first installed them. The thing you need to be careful of is that the light will clip in the socket even if it's not seated right/straight. FWIW.

I also ran out to the garage before I buzzed off to work, and my XB35's look nothing like what was pictured by the OP...

 

[Tremor38]

One of my H7's in my ddm tuning kit were snaggletoothed and pointing outwards when I first installed them. The thing you need to be careful of is that the light will clip in the socket even if it's not seated right/straight. FWIW.

I also ran out to the garage before I buzzed off to work, and my XB35's look nothing like what was pictured by the OP...

I thought I had explained that. The picture is not of an XB35. It was only to show where the alignment ring is located. The XB35's were still installed at that time.


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[Karson]

I thought I had explained that. The picture is not of an XB35. It was only to show where the alignment ring is located. The XB35's were still installed at that time.


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Yeah I caught that just now. I dum.

 

[Tremor38]

Here is some additional info that might help.

My XB35's measure 20mm in diameter at the alignment ring.

The OEMs and ThreeFives measure at about 16mm. That's quite a difference. The Retrofit Source wanted this info, so I sent it to them.

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[Karson]

That's quite the size delta. I'm going to have to go get a digital calipers since my one I know I had got lost somewhere along the way while I was moving apts in college.

In the meantime, keep us in the loop with what they say. That's who I bought mine from and they were helpful over the phone pre-purchase. I wouldn't see why they wouldn't come through post-purchase for you.

 

[twinrider]

The Morimotos put out gobs of light! Most noticeable is the increased range, and dare I say they also have a bit more vertical and horizontal spread. I rode with my Baja Squadrons off for most of the ride to evaluate the HID's. Turned the Squadrons on near the end of the ride and good Gawd!....With the Squadrons and the HID's both running on high, the amount of light is almost surreal. ::001::

Would still like to run the premium bulbs because the higher build quality is readily apparent, but I want The Retrofit Source to measure the alignment ring before sending them to me. Still waiting for their answer. Hopefully when the rest of you order it all goes smoothly, as my case seems to be an anomaly.

Thanks for the additional info and pics, looking forward to hearing what TRS says/does.

After reading your description my Squadron trigger finger is getting itchy...

 

[Tremor38]

Thanks for the additional info and pics, looking forward to hearing what TRS says/does.

After reading your description my Squadron trigger finger is getting itchy...

Haha! Yeah, the squadrons are overkill in most situations, but its sure fun burning away the darkness with them. What's cool about your current setup is you can run the PIAA 530's at full blast while in low beam to better fill in the deadspots. I have to dim the squadrons in low beam, or the flood portion of them will dazzle -a better word is 'blind'- on-coming traffic.

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