Not a 1G/3G, but still testing on a Honda!
I have a 2001 Honda VFR800fi that I've already replaced the regulator/rectifier on as well as the stator, both with far more beefy quality parts than stock, but the charging system on these bikes is notorious for being taxed and needing regular attention, probably the ONLY thing on the bike that seems to be a known issue really.
Anyways, to try and resolve this issue of an overtaxed charging system, I decided "Hey... I'll just reduce the load!", the bike has two 55watt (110watt) headlights on at all times, 20watts worth of cluster back lighting on at all times, 48 watts of indicator bulbs (6)
Tonight I cut off about 89 watts out of the 178~watts of always on lighting, by the weekend I'll be cutting that down a lot more too.
Replaced all of the constant on cluster 194 bulbs with LED lights, retained the factory green back light color to be unobtrusive and easy on the eyes, total cost: $6.62 (had to buy twice as many as I needed even!)
I didn't replace the neutral, oil, cel, high beam or turn indicator bulbs, only the backlights, there are known /issues/ with replacing the other bulbs and I'll deal with that later. Either way, looks good, about half the bulbs were burned out anyways so its a world of difference, same exact color of green, just... brighter, more legible and using 5 watts instead of 20!
For the headlights, I got a dual H4 kit, I wanted something SOLID STATE, no kits with fans, I don't need moving parts to fail, I need something simple and reliable. Superbrightled's had a kit with a tin coated copper ribbon set for heat dissipation, and that seemed good, well reviewed, $99, ended up finding a more direct supplier for the same parts, got the kit for $45 instead shipped to my door, same box etc.
I've heard from some people that 5th generation VFR800's are actually H4H and standard H4 bulbs need the thin locating tabs at the bottom cut to fit...
Well guess what, I had to cut the bottom locating tabs on this 4H light kit too, but the thick tab at the top keeps it oriented and the retention clip keeps everything very snug, GOOD ENOUGH.
The cut off seemed to match the halogen, but the lights are just... CRAZY ass bright in comparison, I didn't take a picture but I did have 1 LED, 1 Halogen and the difference was night and day, massive, but the same pattern against a wall as far as I could see.
Since it was late and I didn't feel like going for a ride after spending 2 hours futzing with taking the whole front of the bike off to do all this, here is a quick picture of the low beam:
and the high...
I'll be riding to work in the dark probably, and riding back, in the dark probably... so we'll see! I ride this to work and back every day, hence the nearly 50,000 miles on this bike, so, should be a good testbed for all this silliness!
I'm kinda really... tired and probably did a terrible job on this, but figured it'd be interesting to post up and follow through with a bit.
Total cost so far is $51.62