Let there be light

[ribbert]

I am no longer in the market for a better headlight myself, having already wasted $400+ on all the known upgrades (all of which ended up in the bin), I solved the problem by fitting auxiliary lights, which are fantastic but the fact is, the FJ headlight sucks and will never throw a decent beam down the road (not to be mistaken for just brighter and/or whiter against the garage wall) I mean an actual useable light at highway speeds in the absence of street lighting and traffic.

Has anyone tried the LED Projector kits. The interesting thing here is the projector theoretically doesn't use the FJ reflector and it circumvents the regulations that prohibit fitting better globes in many regions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APb-H1mIMwM

Noel

[Pat Conlon]

I agree, the LED projectors are superior for the reasons you mentioned, they bypass all the design limitations of the FJ's reflector. Here's what I have been waiting for: https://youtu.be/V4ZzVZLGmpA

[andyoutandabout]

I just ride sun up to sun down

[red]

I agree, the LED projectors are superior for the reasons you mentioned, they bypass all the design limitations of the FJ's reflector. Here's what I have been waiting for:
https://youtu.be/V4ZzVZLGmpA

Pat,

What keeps the beam pattern level?  If it is gravity, that may work nicely when standing still.  In a steep-banked turn, there is a lean-angle, sure, but you can make that steep lean angle with a cup of water set on the gas tank, and never spill a drop.  So (it seems) if gravity keeps the beam level, in a turn the beam will act like the water in the cup, "banking" at the same lean-angle as the handlebars.  Basically, the beam pattern is fixed to the bike centerline.  Am I missing something?  
I could understand the workings of it if the beam was gyro-stabilized somehow, but that would cost a mint, even using ring-laser gyros.

[fj1289]

I agree, the LED projectors are superior for the reasons you mentioned, they bypass all the design limitations of the FJ's reflector. Here's what I have been waiting for:
https://youtu.be/V4ZzVZLGmpA

Pat,

What keeps the beam pattern level?  If it is gravity, that may work nicely when standing still.  In a steep-banked turn, there is a lean-angle, sure, but you can make that steep lean angle with a cup of water set on the gas tank, and never spill a drop.  So (it seems) if gravity keeps the beam level, in a turn the beam will act like the water in the cup, "banking" at the same lean-angle as the handlebars.  Basically, the beam pattern is fixed to the bike centerline.  Am I missing something?  
I could understand the workings of it if the beam was gyro-stabilized somehow, but that would cost a mint, even using ring-laser gyros.

I'll bet it's a three axis (maybe only two!) accelerometer, some clever code, and a basic stepper motor.     Might be similar to the aftermarket AWD transfer case controller for Nissan R32, R33, R34's that relies on a 2 axis accelerometer and TPS that out performs the more complicated factory controller that also includes wheel speed!

[red]

I agree, the LED projectors are superior for the reasons you mentioned, they bypass all the design limitations of the FJ's reflector. Here's what I have been waiting for:
https://youtu.be/V4ZzVZLGmpA

Pat,
What keeps the beam pattern level?  If it is gravity, that may work nicely when standing still.  In a steep-banked turn, there is a lean-angle, sure, but you can make that steep lean angle with a cup of water set on the gas tank, and never spill a drop.  So (it seems) if gravity keeps the beam level, in a turn the beam will act like the water in the cup, "banking" at the same lean-angle as the handlebars.  Basically, the beam pattern is fixed to the bike centerline.  Am I missing something?  
I could understand the workings of it if the beam was gyro-stabilized somehow, but that would cost a mint, even using ring-laser gyros.

I'll bet it's a three axis (maybe only two!) accelerometer, some clever code, and a basic stepper motor.     Might be similar to the aftermarket AWD transfer case controller for Nissan R32, R33, R34's that relies on a 2 axis accelerometer and TPS that out performs the more complicated factory controller that also includes wheel speed!

fj1289,

How big is that aftermarket accelerometer unit?  Would it fit into a headlight socket?
How much does it cost?

[Pat Conlon]

I'll bet it's a three axis (maybe only two!) accelerometer, some clever code, and a basic stepper motor.    

Yes, Chris got it....it's a stepper motor that rotates the projector side to side. There is no fore/aft correction for elevation, just horizontal side to side correction.....so, would that make it a single axis?

[gumby302ho]

 My Honda XR has a better beam then my FJ. Where I live its very dangerous to ride at night for two reasons, bugs and deer. Riding at night in the summer you will not be able to see after less the 30 min of riding because your helmet and the bike is totally covered in bugs and there is very high risk of deer jumping out which will totally scare the shit out you, trust me. I dont think the CBRxx is much better then my FJ for seeing what you need to see in front of you.

[red]

I'll bet it's a three axis (maybe only two!) accelerometer, some clever code, and a basic stepper motor.    

Yes, Chris got it....it's a stepper motor that rotates the projector side to side. There is no fore/aft correction for elevation, just horizontal side to side correction.....so, would that make it a single axis?

Pat,

I can see using a stepper motor for tilting the beam back to horizontal when needed, but I still wonder what the stepper motor uses for the horizontal reference, to make that correction.  Something from the RC helicopters, maybe?

[red]

My Honda XR has a better beam then my FJ. Where I live its very dangerous to ride at night for two reasons, bugs and deer. Riding at night in the summer you will not be able to see after less the 30 min of riding because your helmet and the bike is totally covered in bugs and there is very high risk of deer jumping out which will totally scare the shit out you, trust me.

gumby,

Can't say much about the deer problem, but for the bugs, maybe some strong auxiliary lights, mounted low on the forks or very low on the fairings, might attract more bugs downward than the headlight will.  For the rest, I'd be trying various windscreen waxes and coatings, to minimize the bug problem.
The strong lights might let you see the deer sooner, too.  Personally, I would not be riding fast, in either  case.

[Pat Conlon]

Pat,
I can see using a stepper motor for tilting the beam back to horizontal when needed, but I still wonder what the stepper motor uses for the horizontal reference, to make that correction.  Something from the RC helicopters, maybe?

Don't know the answer Red, we shall see....it's vapor ware so far.

[fj1289]

Red,

I'm assuming with a couple accelerometers, some vector math can take that info and derive the lean angle?  With some basic assumptions to simplify the problem (like assuming zero pitch change since it won't be "flying" per-se) I'll bet the math is fairly doable and much simpler than the stabilization used on basic toy drones these days.  Even if it doesn't get the lean angle exact - what does it matter in the real world?!

Now in reality - I'm not so sure the real utility of this - but if he gets enough of a following for this gimmick he could make a bit of cash!

[Motofun]

I dunno but motoGP TV has been using "horizontal" cameras for a couple of years.  The technology must be trickling down...

[ribbert]

Red,

I'm assuming with a couple accelerometers, some vector math can take that info and derive the lean angle?  With some basic assumptions to simplify the problem (like assuming zero pitch change since it won't be "flying" per-se) I'll bet the math is fairly doable and much simpler than the stabilization used on basic toy drones these days.  Even if it doesn't get the lean angle exact - what does it matter in the real world?!

Now in reality - I'm not so sure the real utility of this - but if he gets enough of a following for this gimmick he could make a bit of cash!

Unfortunately, this wouldn't solve the FJ problem because the light still sucks whatever angle it's on.

On a single headlight bike I would think reliability was paramount and that globe sounds like anything but.

Noel