zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 10, 2006 04:22 PM
quote:
Wow.
Sounds like you need to get into business and start importing stuff.
If you know the products and have connections you would make big money I would think.
Actually I'm thinking about getting into importing JDM stuff again. It's hard to find trustworthy partners. Had two guys who worked for me for 3 years, one at each port in Los Angeles and Oakland. They got greedy and ripped me off nearly $240,000 in profittable merchandise back in 2003. I was in Japan for the 3 years when I was doing this part time business and made a ton of money. . I have 3 other Japanese partners who still do this from the Japan shores. We have been in discussion about starting the west coast ports again. I can cover the Oakland port but will need someone at the Los Angeles port. The 2nd partner will need to post $100K to join the venture, I'm not covering start up costs anymore. Burned once is enough. On a good market, you can expect to make $45 - $50K in profits on three container loads per port. I used to ship three containers to each port every 3 months. LA port profit sharing was $38% of total profits for that port which may be raised to 50% since I'm taking 85% profits for the Oakland port. Piece of cake job which entailed clearing the containers through customs, customs paperwork and more paperwork usually 1-2 hours per shipment, pay the fees and coordinate transportation of the containers to a designated warehouse and you're done. You work one day to two days every three months. Do the math and you'll see what kind of money you can make doing this part time gig. 
  
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jjkillian
Novice Class
Posts: 56
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posted October 10, 2006 04:26 PM
 Edited By: jjkillian on 10 Oct 2006 17:34
quote:
quote:
Actually them working period is not 100% true. I just spoke with them. US sold ones are mainly for vehicles that already have HID's. The motorcycle one sold here is very comparable to the one FBA has. The probelm is US regulations they said. If a car does not come with them stock then the aftermarket one needs to come from outside the US. That is probably why yours works being from Japan. It isn't that Japan is that far ahead it is regulation that is causing the problem. Man you live in Japan or something? Holy moly, I love your patriotism. If you don't you should move instantly. Must be why they (cough cough) dominate every major motorsport.
JJ
Like I said, the JDM stuff is the schniznat that's all. I go there every year and it surprises me on how much cool stuff they have there, I mean from A to Z. Cars, electronics, cell phones where you wife can track your every movement...yikes! I bought most parts for my 170hp ZRX1200 from Japan....none of which I could get here. The HD tvs sold there makes what you see here like more "junk". They keep all the good shit to themselves. I can go on and on about that stuff. Now, WTF do you question my patriotism?  That's a low blow. Everything I said about the Japanese is true.....I'll wait for your retort on that one.  But would be more appropriate on another thread related to "patriotism" then I'll throw a ton of corn at you on that subject there buddy.
You answered the questions on the concerns about the HID some have used. So no reason to continue the wine and cheese dance that HIDs are worthless. Yes, I have a JDM HID kit on my ZRX...so I guess I'm breaking the law.  I had no problems passing through customs. No different than putting an aftermarket exhaust...those are illegal too and the TRE and the reed valve block off plates and.....you get the point right? That's why everyone who sells non DOT compliant parts puts a dislaimer on their products ie; "For Off Road or Race Use Only".
I'll be back with the JDM HID kit for my ZX14, anyone interested in a set can let me know. 300+ Japanese who've done the conversion on their ZZR1400 can't be wrong and that's just on one ZZR forum.
You can believe those that have negative results with their HID knock offs or you can believe that HIDs that work on the 14 are in existence....only in Japan though. Actually, come to think of it, the Japanese opened one of their infamous "Autobacs" stores in Orange county, CA. I haven't been there but if it's anything like the ones in Japan it should be on your list of "must see" stores. They may have motorcycle stuff there to but can't say for sure.
Your ignorance shows by mocking the Japanese. Take a look around you, everything you see and touch has some form of Japanese to it...believe it or not. You say I should move to Japan? No thanks, lived there on and off for 15 years and not by choice. The closest to making Japanese culture permanent in my life was marrying a Japanese. I'd think 4 times before you even blurt something derogatory about my wife... 
hehe relax, was talking about your Japanese patriotism.
Just every other word out of your.......ummm keyboard is Japan, Japan, have nothing against Japan just found it funny.
Your original post had a tint of arrogance, my feelings, towards your adventures to foreign lands picking up treasures no one else has access to. Spices, and the like I guess. It is a world economy now a days just in case you have not noticed. You can get those HID systems imported which was my original goal. But look up at your original post, you didn't even mention name, where to get it, nothing. Goal of this forum is knowledge towards our passion/hobby.
quote:
Can't wait 'til March for the Japan trip. and pick up a few more JDM exhaust systems you'll never see here and other 14 goodies. ..anybody want to go on a field trip to Japan?
Instead your post read as though "Lookie Lookie what I have, the brand new GI Joe battleship. My mom bought it for me so I wouldn't throw a fit. The rest of you kids will have to wait until christmas"
quote:
You answered the questions on the concerns about the HID some have used. So no reason to continue the wine and cheese dance that HIDs are worthless.
I didn't come to that conclusion. That was someone else, once again re-read. I still want to do the mod, just want it to come out right.........not sure the crime in that since I am the one paying for it to go on my bike.
Share the knowledge next time, and don't rip on respected people in this forum.....and I am not talking about me. I am a noob here.
JJ
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Stalwart
Needs a job
Posts: 3360
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posted October 10, 2006 05:03 PM
You can own all the HID lights you want but in some states they are just illegal to use. I have met cops that have informed me that if the HID is not OEM equipment they will make you change them out on the spot or you get a ticket for their blue color. Blue, in this State, is reserved for cops only. One even suggested that he doesn't let the vehicle leave at all with aftermarket HID lights installed . . .
I still suspect the Japanese ones don't come with projectors to make them work properly with the 14.
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Stuart
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Ridin' the Trump train.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted October 10, 2006 05:11 PM
Hi/ ow still not independant........
with a narrow focused intense beam, headlight alignment becomes more critical I would think....
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Stalwart
Needs a job
Posts: 3360
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posted October 10, 2006 05:12 PM
Edited By: Stalwart on 10 Oct 2006 18:13
+1 
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Stuart
________________________________
Ridin' the Trump train.
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scificanada
Expert Class
Posts: 411
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posted October 10, 2006 05:41 PM
I investigated HID back in July, as FBA states the length of the HID bulb puts it ouside the acceptable parameters of the focus for the ZX14 Projector lens.
If there is a different (shorter) HID bulb, closer in configuration to the stock Halogen bulb, then I'm interested to know who makes it. I live in Rural Ontario and can NOT risk a black hole in my Light output.
____________
Be a predator, not prey.
2006 Blue(the fastest colour) ZX14, Brock Ti Gen 3, Secondary Butterflies out, PCIII with Brock Map, Muzzy Frame Sliders.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 06:17 PM
The guy just doesn't get it...there are no bulbs more specific to the ZZR/ZX14 more than H9 and H11...Duuuhhhhhhh
The focal point of the bulb doesn't work for the projector on the 14, but with a lot of work, the base could be shimmed to line up right. Much more importantly, the high and low beams are not independently adjustable...if they were, HID's would work much better in there. 1393KPH said it...and Warchild said it right here on concours14.com...and if you know anything about Warchild, you know that he knows what he's talking about.
ZX14_1965 doesn't realize that an application guide that lists specific bulbs/kits for the ZX14, only means the bulb type, in this case H9 and H11. PIA DOES not build a bulb specific for the ZX14 anywhere in this world. The kits they supply for the 14 would consist of the correct bulb and perhaps a plug-in wiring harness, that's all. Those same bulbs/ballasts will work in any vehicle that takes an H9 or H11. If you check with PIA or anyone else, they'll tell you that the "ZX14" kit is the same kit for any vehicle that takes H9 and H11 (except for the harness, and if you think that the harness changes the light pattern...think again).
I never said that HID's were crap, in fact, they are amazing (on my 300C and other OEM applications where the projectors are specifically designed to house an HID bulb). I have the plug in connectors on the 14...big fuckin' deal, changes nothing as far as light dispersion goes.
ZX -- you really need to chill out...no one attacked your wife and you brought this heat on yourself with your attitude. So far, I have 2 kits in the ZX14 (high and low) and you don't, so what do you know about HID's on the 14?
Now, I already checked PIAA (with no success) to find ZX14 specific kits or at least some listings for them. So maybe you can show us where you got your information from, so we can all benefit from your knowledge...after all this is place is about sharing...
I want to see the kit that's made specifically for the ZX14 that will not work in any other vehicle...show me that and I'll shut the fuck up about this subject. If you find H9 or H11 bulbs that are different from other of the same part spec (H9 or H11) and are designed only for one specific vehicle...please let us all know.
Oh btw, just so you know...you should check out what we do for a living regarding application fit guides for the automotive aftermarket...
http://www.autoland.ca/
http://www.autoland.ca/byPassModule/selectShow_all.asp?comeFrom=9
You say that there are kits made specifically for Porche and Toyota for example....has it occurred to you that the projectors in those cars are actually designed around the bulb and not the bulb designed around the projector? That would mean that any bulb that bore the correct part spec (example -- H4 or H7) would work in those cars...
Just because your HID's worked in your ZRX1200 doesn't mean that they'll work in your ZX14, not matter what you haven't heard about the Japanese not complaining about it...
quote:
If PIAA and Bellof are selling bike specific units then I have great faith that I'll encounter any issues.
Now you're right, you WILL "encounter" issues"
And so you know, HID's not OEM to cars in the imported or made in the US are illegal in some (many) states...if you'd done the research, you'd know that already.
To fix the issue on the 14, you'd need to either shim the bases to back the bulbs out from the projector, or you'd need a projector specifically designed for HID's and in either case, the beams need to be independently adjustable, which as of today, are not.
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FYYFF!!!
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 06:19 PM
quote:
I investigated HID back in July, as FBA states the length of the HID bulb puts it ouside the acceptable parameters of the focus for the ZX14 Projector lens.
If there is a different (shorter) HID bulb, closer in configuration to the stock Halogen bulb, then I'm interested to know who makes it. I live in Rural Ontario and can NOT risk a black hole in my Light output.
Yo SCIFI...what's up dude? Btw, Ontario is one big BLACK hole...  :P
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FYYFF!!!
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted October 10, 2006 07:23 PM
quote:
To fix the issue on the 14, you'd need to either shim the bases to back the bulbs out from the projector...
if the h9/h11 adapter base were designed correctly, it would be "shimmed" to the correct focal point already. after all, if the focal poitn is incorrect for the 14, it woudl be incorrect for any other vehicle and uses H9/H11 bulbs. altho there is of course the issue of the actual light source shape. i would think the difference is minimal enough that it wouldn't make a significant difference, but i could be wrong.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 10:06 PM
In a perfect worlds, you be right, but the focal point IS way, way off...look at the 2 bulbs side by side and you'll see what I mean (I did). Then, you still have to deal with the lack of independant adjustments.
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FYYFF!!!
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted October 10, 2006 11:20 PM
well then i'd say the kit u have is indeed shit. a quality kit would at least have the center of light source lined up perfect. no excuse for not doing so. also leaves me thinking that a quality kit with correct placement may work well.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:43 AM
quote:
Your original post had a tint of arrogance, my feelings, towards your adventures to foreign lands picking up treasures no one else has access to. Spices, and the like I guess. But look up at your original post, you didn't even mention name, where to get it, nothing. Goal of this forum is knowledge towards our passion/hobby.
Instead your post read as though "Lookie Lookie what I have, the brand new GI Joe battleship. My mom bought it for me so I wouldn't throw a fit. The rest of you kids will have to wait until christmas"
Share the knowledge next time, and don't rip on respected people in this forum.....and I am not talking about me. I am a noob here.
JJ
No one has access?...anyone can get the so called treasures and spices you speak of. I didn't say where to get the JDM HIDs? I believe I said IN JAPAN somewhere in the post, hence the blurb about going to Japan in March. 
Rip on "respected forum people"???...If they are wrong, they'll get the deserved response. Didn't there were kings and queens on this board that demanded "respect". 
So to wrap this up and clarify the key points -
#1 HIDs are not worthless - only Ebay junk and knock off HID kits made in a faraway unknown land
#2 Slap on ZX14 specific HID kits do exist and are being sold this very second....in Japan
#3 These can be bought in the US, someone has to import them though.
#4 HID kits are illegal in the US - but that didn't stop me - I've been using mine with no complaints by LE. And they work 1000 times better than OEM lighting.
#5 I'm inviting anyone who wants to accompany me to Japan. You can buy a RT ticket from the west coast to Japan for $540.
Any questions?...re-read the 5 points again.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:44 AM
quote:
I still suspect the Japanese ones don't come with projectors to make them work properly with the 14.
Suspect away dude........
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:46 AM
quote:
Hi/ ow still not independant........
with a narrow focused intense beam, headlight alignment becomes more critical I would think....
Are you kidding me?
The JDM kits maintain the use of the hi/low.
Someone needs to make a "shake head" emoticon. Instead I'll use this one....
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:48 AM
quote:
If there is a different (shorter) HID bulb, closer in configuration to the stock Halogen bulb, then I'm interested to know who makes it. I live in Rural Ontario and can NOT risk a black hole in my Light output.
PIAA and Bellof aka Daytona -- doesn't seem like anyone is listening.
Nevermind - you'll never find a HID kit that'll work on the 14.
Those 300 Japanese ZZR1400 owners must've posted BS about how great the PIAA and Bellof HID kits are to boost their sales.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:52 AM
quote:
The guy just doesn't get it...there are no bulbs more specific to the ZZR/ZX14 more than H9 and H11...Duuuhhhhhhh
The focal point of the bulb doesn't work for the projector on the 14, but with a lot of work, the base could be shimmed to line up right. Much more importantly, the high and low beams are not independently adjustable...if they were, HID's would work much better in there. 1393KPH said it...and Warchild said it right here on concours14.com...and if you know anything about Warchild, you know that he knows what he's talking about.
ZX14_1965 doesn't realize that an application guide that lists specific bulbs/kits for the ZX14, only means the bulb type, in this case H9 and H11. PIA DOES not build a bulb specific for the ZX14 anywhere in this world. The kits they supply for the 14 would consist of the correct bulb and perhaps a plug-in wiring harness, that's all. Those same bulbs/ballasts will work in any vehicle that takes an H9 or H11. If you check with PIA or anyone else, they'll tell you that the "ZX14" kit is the same kit for any vehicle that takes H9 and H11 (except for the harness, and if you think that the harness changes the light pattern...think again).
I never said that HID's were crap, in fact, they are amazing (on my 300C and other OEM applications where the projectors are specifically designed to house an HID bulb). I have the plug in connectors on the 14...big fuckin' deal, changes nothing as far as light dispersion goes.
ZX -- you really need to chill out...no one attacked your wife and you brought this heat on yourself with your attitude. So far, I have 2 kits in the ZX14 (high and low) and you don't, so what do you know about HID's on the 14?
Now, I already checked PIAA (with no success) to find ZX14 specific kits or at least some listings for them. So maybe you can show us where you got your information from, so we can all benefit from your knowledge...after all this is place is about sharing...
I want to see the kit that's made specifically for the ZX14 that will not work in any other vehicle...show me that and I'll shut the fuck up about this subject. If you find H9 or H11 bulbs that are different from other of the same part spec (H9 or H11) and are designed only for one specific vehicle...please let us all know.
Oh btw, just so you know...you should check out what we do for a living regarding application fit guides for the automotive aftermarket...
http://www.autoland.ca/
http://www.autoland.ca/byPassModule/selectShow_all.asp?comeFrom=9
You say that there are kits made specifically for Porche and Toyota for example....has it occurred to you that the projectors in those cars are actually designed around the bulb and not the bulb designed around the projector? That would mean that any bulb that bore the correct part spec (example -- H4 or H7) would work in those cars...
Just because your HID's worked in your ZRX1200 doesn't mean that they'll work in your ZX14, not matter what you haven't heard about the Japanese not complaining about it...
quote:
If PIAA and Bellof are selling bike specific units then I have great faith that I'll encounter any issues.
Now you're right, you WILL "encounter" issues"
And so you know, HID's not OEM to cars in the imported or made in the US are illegal in some (many) states...if you'd done the research, you'd know that already.
To fix the issue on the 14, you'd need to either shim the bases to back the bulbs out from the projector, or you'd need a projector specifically designed for HID's and in either case, the beams need to be independently adjustable, which as of today, are not.
uh...okay. Yak away about how HIDs don't work on the 14.
Those damn 300 Japanese ZZR1400 owners are a bunch of liars for posting that the Bellof and PIAA kits work great! I'll pay all of them a visit when I go there in March......and bring back one of those kits so I could lie to all of you how great they really are.
SO there.....
You must be one of the "respected" ones who's word is considered "golden" by all. I believe they call that brain washing.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 04:54 AM
quote:
well then i'd say the kit u have is indeed shit. a quality kit would at least have the center of light source lined up perfect. no excuse for not doing so. also leaves me thinking that a quality kit with correct placement may work well.
Nail on the head...he bought a 4th world country HID.
Junk in .....junk out.
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Stalwart
Needs a job
Posts: 3360
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posted October 11, 2006 08:21 AM
Fuck, 1965 seems to be a bit schizophrenic, he seems to be talking to himself . . . 
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Stuart
________________________________
Ridin' the Trump train.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 08:27 AM
Edited By: zx14_1965 on 11 Oct 2006 09:29
HID Response from Japan
ZZR forum member.
I mentioned this thread and he said the type of responses are to be expected from people who are unaware of things available in Japan. First and foremost he stated the Japanese aftermarket indudstry work very closely with several companies with R&D interests to ensure the best product is available to the Japanese customers for their new toys ie; ZZR1400. I wholeheartedly agree with his statement. I have been there and done that type of thing.
Good example is how Yoshimura Japan had specifically designed a TMR-FCR carburetor for the ZRX for the level II - IV mod enthusiasts in Japan. It's the best carb setup known to man as of this writing. I should know, I own a set. I was told that I was wasting my money by many here, how wrong they were. Alot of folks mocked me because it was a 38mm size carb..many here use 40 and 41mm FCRs. Japanese tuner told me anything over 38 is over-kill. But anyways, that just shows that you can't believe everything you hear, but take it for what it's worth.
Oh and let me show you what the Japanese forum member forwarded to me on the most popular HID setup for the ZZR is IN JAPAN:
You can barely see their phone number, someone call 'em. If you need a translator let me know. 
I'm gonna have some popcorn....
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Stalwart
Needs a job
Posts: 3360
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posted October 11, 2006 10:40 AM
Just because it plugs in doesn't mean it will have the right focus
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Stuart
________________________________
Ridin' the Trump train.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 12:31 PM
quote:
Just because it plugs in doesn't mean it will have the right focus
Uh...okay the 300 Japanese ZZR forum guys are all lying.....It's official; no HID units out there work on the 14......uh...okay then. 
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 11, 2006 12:42 PM
Seeing is believing -- when I see it with my own 2 eyes working in front of me at night...I'll believe it. Until then, I know what I know, because it's what I have now.
frEEk, the HID kits we got are far from junk...it's the projector that's the issue, as it wasn't designed for HID, because if it was, that's what would have been offered on the 14. On any vehicle where HID's are an option, you will notice that the non HID's housing's are quite different from HID housings. When you put an aftermarket HID into a non HID housing, there is a chance it will not work properly, but in most cases you can overcome much of the problem by adjusting the beams to match. The problem on the 14 is that the beams are NOT independantly adjustable. If they were, this would work very well...
Guys, I'll repeat myself for those of you who seem to have more mouth than brains...IF YOU DON'T YET HAVE THESE KITS ON YOUR ZX14, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. Until you do, all the talk in the world won't make the lights work any better than they do now. It amazes me how some people talk to just be heard, with no actual experience or knowledge of the product they are blabbering about...fuck.
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FYYFF!!!
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 11, 2006 01:35 PM
Put Jap writing on anything these days and it'll sell sell sell because its gotta' be good! 
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted October 11, 2006 02:07 PM
quote:
frEEk, the HID kits we got are far from junk...it's the projector that's the issue, as it wasn't designed for HID, because if it was, that's what would have been offered on the 14. On any vehicle where HID's are an option, you will notice that the non HID's housing's are quite different from HID housings. When you put an aftermarket HID into a non HID housing, there is a chance it will not work properly, but in most cases you can overcome much of the problem by adjusting the beams to match. The problem on the 14 is that the beams are NOT independantly adjustable. If they were, this would work very well...
here's what i don't understand about that: if the light source is at the same point in the HID kit as in the original bulb, why would designed for HID vs designed for halogen matter? is the shape of the light source that big an issue? i'm assuming it isn't. of course the shielding (intentional or incidental) could be an issue in terms of creating black holes, but again i would think those issues would be minor. so what exactly is the design difference you speak of?
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jjkillian
Novice Class
Posts: 56
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posted October 11, 2006 02:21 PM
Edited By: jjkillian on 11 Oct 2006 17:03
I talked to a high end shop today about the HID's. They do work mostly on higher end BMW/Mercedes/Bentley, and the likes. The guy refered me to their electrical/lighting specialist.
The guy told me any vehicle that does not come equiped with HID's is going to have a hard time working right if it does not come with the proper reflector/projector. Said it was also very dangerous for not only the owner of the vehicle (proper lighting), but also for oncoming traffic to put the wrong set up in the wrong vehicle. He also said he would never consider putting them on a bike unless it was specially made for the bike, or done right (retrofit). He also said what others have said on here, just because it plugs in, doesn't mean it works RIGHT (he was answering a question about the ANY aftermarket one, junk or Japanese, German don't matter).
Good/Bad news is this. He said he could order in one that the use already on some of the vehicles they work on. A good kit with the projector with both the high and low beam set up like the bike is, is about 2k. Then to retro-fit it would be another 2k. So 4k. As far as I am concerned my mission is accomplished. I found someone who can do it properly. But it isn't worth 4k to me. The guy actually told me he wouldn't do it either. He said the set up on the 14 is the best he has seen on a sport bike, and does a great job already. Plus they are backed up 2 months on doing anything, lol.
On a side note, I am not sure the hourly labor charge of this shop, would imagine very high. So there are probably others out there that could do it right, and a much cheaper price. I will continue to look.
JJ
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