HManPhoto's Random Musings

Posts covering ride reports, motorcycle gear reviews, game and movie reviews, and thoughts on life and my job.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Clear Signals and UFO Undertail Installed.

Had a busy two days. Cold as well seeing as I've been riding AND the install took place out in the cold wind. Brrr... It was however very much worth it.

As you can see from the pics below, I have my UFO Undertail installed. Purchased from http://www.18889chrome.com which was super easy and friendly on the phone. They had it to me quick as well. I ordered on Friday, had it on Wednesday.

I'm not real happy with the LED tail lights but I'll either order a custom set from a www.hayabusa.org member or go to red colored incandescent bulbs. The LEDs are nice but just not bright enough in my opinion during the day.

The undertail REALLY cleaned up the tail section and gave the rear end quite a different look. Once I get my double bubble on I'll have to post pictures of the bike stock and now just for comparison. Install was NOT fun but only took about 3 hours.

On to the clear signals up front. I've wanted these for awhile because it blends with the silver paint much better than the ugly amber signal lenses. I held off because all of the aftermarket lenses fit less than snug and leave a gap between the fairing and the edge of lens. Seeing as 2005 and up Hayabusas have clear lenses, I simply ordered a set from Big 4 Cycle in Evansville, Indiana. Install was easy and fit was perfect.

Last thing that I did was replace the high beam with a Sylvania Silverstar. It still looks yellow compared to the HID in the low beam but is brighter and whiter than the stock halogen.

Overall I have to say I'm really happy with the modifications I did the past two days. Still more to go but I'm at least a month out yet from those.

Stay tuned, keep your fingers crossed for an early spring, and be careful out there.

Happy cycling!


Just a shot from the side and back away from it a little bit.
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New UFO undertail and LED taillights. Will probably replace the LEDs with stock tail lights (incandescent) due to the fact I don't care for their performance in daylight.
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Front view with HID headlight on. Clear signals from 2005 Hayabusa.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2005

UFO Undertail has arrived.

Quality appears to be top-notch. Weather unfortunatly is NOT conducive to going outside and doing this install. Seeing as I've never done an install like this it makes me nervous having to cut plastics.

I'll get pictures posted after all is said and done. Hopeing for next Monday/Tuesday. Excited about the "after" appearance. Should REALLY clean up the back of the bike.

Take care all. Spring is fast approaching.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

UFO Undertail is on the way.

I ordered my UFO undertail from http://www.18889chrome.com on Friday. Very easy to work with over the phone. Should be here Monday or Tuesday. I'll be working both days but if the weather is decent (warm) I'll go out and get the thing put on. I'm expecting it to take two to three hours.

Update on this soon.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

HID is working great.

Just a short update. Since the last write up I actually got out and did some riding, both day and night. Had several people I know check it out from in front of me and oncoming. Only one person said the light was "too much". The other stated that it simply made me "stand out" which is a good think on a motorcycle.

I also took it down a long expanse of Hwy 37. This is a "super 2" and long and capable of handling a quick pace. I kept it in check because of deer but ran it up to about 75 or 80. With the brights off I could actually see further. While the light off in the distance wasn't super bright it was more than adequate to see everything and lo and behold... off int he distance and well to the side stood three deer. Not so sure I would have seen them without the new light even with the bright on because my bright light is so focused on a small point.

Well, here are a few more pictures of the light. Some from the seat coming soon. Hoping to find another Busa for good comparo pics.

Undertail to be here soon.


Side view with exposure set to auto with use of flash.
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Side view of Halogen vs. HID. the Halogen is clicked to "bright".
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HID with the high beam halogen turned off.
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Picture of Halogen vs. HID. Exposure turned down to bring out detail.
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Friday, February 04, 2005

HID is installed.

I finally got my HID light kit and got it installed. Unfortunatly I've only got two pictures thus far and those were taken with an el cheapo camera but I'll put them up anyway. I'll get better ones on my days off Monday and Tuesday.

So, big question is....? Was it worth it? I can answer that with a resounding yes. The light output is fantastic. Believe it or not the standard Halogen was brigher in ONE spot. The HID however puts out more light in every direction. If I could deal with a little less light brightness in the distance I could honestly run at a very quick pace and never turn my brights on.

I live on a very twisty road with deer a constant threat and with the new light I could see better to the sides and better off in the distance with a light that had MUCH more contrast. I was waiting for someone to flash brights at me but I went on into town and onto the highway for a bit to test that and noone ever did. I'm sure its brighter but apparently not so much as to blind someone. The crisper light and bright white color should help me stand out a bit in traffic during the day as well, hopefully cutting down the numbers of "but I didn't see him" incidents.

The HID lighting did something else I should have expected but didn't. It helps bring out the line between the road and the grass much more. If you've ever been riding when the grass is dead and roads are dry then you know that occasionally with a halogen the line between road and grass isn't so evident. Can't say that with this light. Colors are much more vivid and that particular line is something I really noticed last night.

Now, I hope to get out and really enjoy the ride more soon and really try this thing out but it was 27 degrees last night so I decided it best to cut the ride short. Monday or Tuesday I plan to roll her out and get some good pictures with MY camera so that you guys can see the quality. I'm also going to try to track down someone from the Hayabusa board that is nearby so that I can get some comparo pictures.

I bought this particular kit for a steal from www.xenonking.com through a group buy. While I won't get as good a price I'm considering doing a conversion on my car now on the low beams. I personally can never get enough light short of blinding those coming at me.

If you are looking to upgrade your lighting you should really give www.xenonking.com a try and see what they can do for you. OR, if you don't want to go through the hassle of changing out the stock lighting then look at the various HID driving lights that you could add to your bike. I know my father is considering doing this with his ST1100.

Well all, have a great day and ride safe.


HID from the front.
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HID from the side.
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