 NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
This looks interesting? http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/headlight_control_module.htmlThoughts? Opinions? (not you, Ian) I might give it a go. Neither of the batteries I've had since the stock one have been all that strong, certainly not after sitting for a while.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
I saw that too. I guess as long as you remember every time to turn it on, or else there may be some legality thing about operating the motorcycle without a headlight on the roads.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Like anything else, it would have to become habit I suppose. I'd like to see an accelerometer added so that if the bike moves faster than, say, 4 mph, the headlight comes on automatically. Kinda like the door locks on my car.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
This looks interesting?
http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/headlight_control_module.html
Thoughts? Opinions? (not you, Ian) I might give it a go. Neither of the batteries I've had since the stock one have been all that strong, certainly not after sitting for a while.
Cool, me likey. My America has always turned over a bit slower than normal and I've replaced / upgraged everything.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
I always thought it was kinda dumb to have the headlight come on with the ignition switch. It would be much better to have an RPM activated switch so the light comes on once the engine is started.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
Ever get stuck with too little juice in the battery to start your bike?
doesn't the bike automatically shut down everything except essentials while you're cranking?
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 Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Quote:
Quote:
Ever get stuck with too little juice in the battery to start your bike?
doesn't the bike automatically shut down everything except essentials while you're cranking?
Not that I know of.
For that price and ease of installation, that will be on my next order from Brent. That only makes sense, even though I've been through a couple of batteries already. This may not help, but it certainly has upsides and no downsides I can see.
There are times (parades?) when no headlamp might be desired.
Thanks, John!
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I don't believe it proactively shuts everything off, the starter just draws so much more current it just seems like it. But the light is still trying to pull current away from the starter. Under ideal circumstances it doesn't matter.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 237
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 237 |
I like .. very much .. .unless we wear out the Hi/Low switch ... hmmmmm...
07 SPEEDMASTER ..SLASHCUT BUBS..
NOLOGY COILS/WIRES ..PHANTOM BLACK ..CHROME COVERS...K&N PODS..
BEAUTIFULL WHEN SHE RUNS RIGHT..SHE WAS ..
.. I LIKE HER>> ALOT ~~
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 237
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 237 |
if we forget to switch on... I am sure that Officer Friendly will be more than happy to bring it to our attention... whoops..
07 SPEEDMASTER ..SLASHCUT BUBS..
NOLOGY COILS/WIRES ..PHANTOM BLACK ..CHROME COVERS...K&N PODS..
BEAUTIFULL WHEN SHE RUNS RIGHT..SHE WAS ..
.. I LIKE HER>> ALOT ~~
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
doesn't the bike automatically shut down everything except essentials while you're cranking?
Nope, 'fraid not Bill.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
I think you should take the headlight off and throw it away then make a gas fired replacement.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
I think you should take the headlight off and throw it away then make a gas fired replacement.
 
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
The headlight/starter relay under the tank does cut power to the headlight while activating the starter motor.
Al
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Why does my headlight flicker then when I start the bike?
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
The headlight/starter relay under the tank does cut power to the headlight while activating the starter motor.
Yet the headlight on my bike shines mightily while cranking the motor.... perhaps a tad dimmer due to the draw from the starter but that's about it.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11 |
I got an on/off switch on my headlight. It was already installed when I bought the bike (used). The previous owner installed it at the same time he put HID in the bucket. The HID was a bad idea (or badly done) because I had to take it out. I kept the switch. It helps around here because diving/riding during the day will get all the other cars and trucks flashing at you, the walkers by point at the light and say "it's on", ... kinda annoying and mostly getting on my nerves! Especially because when night comes, everyone's got their high beams on, even in the city! 
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
The headlight definitely turns off while cranking on my '09 - so maybe they changed it on the newer models.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
I got an on/off switch on my headlight.
It was already installed when I bought the bike (used).
The previous owner installed it at the same time he put HID in the bucket. The HID was a bad idea (or badly done) because I had to take it out.
I kept the switch. It helps around here because diving/riding during the day will get all the other cars and trucks flashing at you, the walkers by point at the light and say "it's on", ... kinda annoying and mostly getting on my nerves! Especially because when night comes, everyone's got their high beams on, even in the city!
Wow, sounds like the land of geniuses
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Its a great idea. Cheap enough too! 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Order placed, I'll soon be "parade dress"
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
Quote:
doesn't the bike automatically shut down everything except essentials while you're cranking?
Actually it sort of does, yes (contrary to what some other members have told you)or at least it should do. If you trace the wiring diagram you'll see the head lamp circuit travels through the starter relay so that when you engage the starter motor the head lamp is disengaged. Nothing else is turned off by the starter however (other than driving lights, where fitted according to Triumph specs). If your head lamp does not turn off when you're cranking then either the starter relay's partially fried or the head lamp circuit in the relay's been circumvented by some means.
As for the circuit it's still probably a good idea. If your battery's low powering up the headlight for the period between turning the key on and engaging the starter could "push it over the edge". The circuit will also allow you to decide when and if the head lamp is turned on.
As a caveat this circuit will not affect the operation of any driving lights. The standard Triumph wiring harness (and probably any after-market ones such as the Rivco one) are set up for US legislation where the driving lights are powered whenever the ignition's on. The wiring connector does also come with connections for running the headlights from either the low beam or high beam (and to comply with Australian legislation I've set mine up to use the high beam wiring only) however that will require a little fiddling on your part to use it. The Triumph driving lights also come with a switch to disable them (inconveniently mounted on one of the driving light shells) so you could turn them off manually if you wanted to use this circuit.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
if we forget to switch on... I am sure that Officer Friendly will be more than happy to bring it to our attention... whoops..
Really should never happen. A pre ride walk around would pick up on the headlight not being turned on. Both my prefires behave according to the wiring schematic. The head lights turn off while engaging the starter.
Brent's headlight control bugger would be nice to have so I could run with only the driving bar lights on though.
Has anyone ever been pulling over due to a headlight not burning? I have. In East Ellijay, GA. Right here.
Outcome? switched on the high beam and rode off. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Never been pulled over, my SM is the only bike I ever had where the headlight comes on with the ignition and stays on with no off switch. Near the end of this last riding season I lost low beam and started riding with low beam on to save high beam for night rides until I got around to getting a new bulb. No one bothered me about it. I still have to get it fixed just haven't had time to get to it. I have a custom headlight and need to take it apart to see what bulb is in there.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210 |
Thank god I no longer have to look like this jackace! 
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Installed this little gizmo today. 5 min job, plug and play "even a caveman could do it" Just as stated when you turn off the ignition switch off this thing takes over. Turn the switch on and bingo no headlight. That is if you've left the light in the low beam position. If you've left it in the high beam position when you turn the key the headlight comes on. That's not mentioned in the instructions but no biggie as soon as you hit the start button the light shutts off, so the thing works as advertised as long as you know it's boundaries. As someone else mentioned and I've confirmed during testing the system does shut down the headlight while cranking the engine with or without this gizmo. Here's the boring numbers stuff as tested with my trusty voltmeter. Ignition switch off battery reads 12.50 Ignition switch on headlight off 12.09 Ignition switch on headlight on 11.60 Voltmeter reads 10.50 while cranking with or without the headlight on. Now what I like about the gizmo. As I mentioned before my America (03) has always been a bit finicky to start. Especially when cold. Possibility because I ripped her guts out when she was still a young babe. No air box, big fat jets etc.It usually takes three or for times to start her up and naturally this is not helping the battery as the headlight is burning between attempts.For that reason alone I feel a bit of a comfort zone with the gizmo installed. Plus now if I run up on a parade I can just jump right in.
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Re: NSM.com Headlight "switch"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Cool! Thanks for trying it out and reporting back. I'll include one in my order next time I get a batch of stuff from Brent.
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