 Light switch
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65 |
G'day enthusiasts,
I'm in Aussie and my 02' America doesn't have the headlight switch on the handle bars next to the throttle. Its been 'blanked' and the headlight is hard wired when the ignition is on. Can I buy the switch from the US or the UK? My mate has grabbed one off a bonneville and its all good but the shops won't sell the switch to us here in Aussie. Please let me know what you guys have done as a work around, if any. Has anyone used the switch off the fog lights in the Nacelle?
Look forward to your replys.
I come from a land down under
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
Hey kgfji,
Don't know about Oz but it is illegal to run a bike without a headlight in the US (I think this is all states, right?). Therefore, the blanked out switch. I suspect the same holds for you guys down under?
Good idea on using that switch for the driving lights and if that's not where you are going, why would you want to shut off your headlight?
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65 |
Howdy,
Its not illegal to run a bike without a headlight, same law as cars ie when it get too dark or the sun is blocked by clouds. Funny thing is you guys have to ride with a headlight on but you can ride with no helmet... I wish. Why do I want to shut off the headlight? Cause I'm a badass and its easier to start and if I don't want my headlight on I can switch it off.
I come from a land down under
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 708
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 708 |
I've been looking for a while myself, so if you find someone that sells them or come across a switch that works please post.
Jim
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Actually, maybe just ours, but when you hit the starter my headlight goes off until I release the starter button.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Light 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:
Its not illegal to run a bike without a headlight
I've just spent an hour trying to find anything official about the mandatory running of headlights on bikes in Australia. What I've found is that Australian Design Rule (ADR) 19/01 was introduced in 1992 making hard-wired headlights compulsory, but the MCC convinced the federal government to introduce ADR 19/02 in 1996 which does not demand they be hard wired. Apparently Dept of Transport (DOTARS) is examining the idea of mandatory daytime running lights (which would probably be the front turn signals on bikes, same as everywhere else). I can't find any law that says bikes that aren't hard-wired have to have their lights on during the day, but I can find lots of studies that show it reduces multi-vehicle accidents.
Either way, Jenks Bolts apparently used to sell the switches, but rumour has it that they have since sold out and can't get any more.
My dealer claims that all the wiring exists in the handgrip to just plug a switch in, but I've had mine apart and it's not there, so I assume the connector in the headlight just has a few wire links in place instead. From what I've seen you could probably steal the switch out of a Triumph Thunderbird - it wouldn't match exactly but it looks like it'd probably fit.
I guess you could use the driving light switch, but you'd have to replace the existing one with a double poled switch to kill the headlight relay as well as the driving lights, and then you couldn't turn the driving lights off seperatley which'd make it illegal (again... which is beside the point since technically the driving lights're illegal in Australia anyway.)
If all you want is to start the bike without the lights on, they already turn off while you've got the starter engaged, but if you want to warm up the bike without the lights I've seen an add-on device that keeps the headlights off until the first time you put the bike in gear, then leaves them on till you turn the bike off. Think I can find the link for it now though? You could also wire up the relay to the kickstand switch so that the lights don't come on when the stand's down. (The bike won't run in gear when it's down, so it's impossible to ride it with the lights off, however it means you can't have it on it's stand with the lights on). I also found this little beast which plugs onto the back of your headlight bulb and delays it turning on for 30 seconds, and if you hit high beam it overrides it - nifty, and I could probably copy the idea and work out a circuit.
However, if it's just coz you're a badass, well there's not a lot I can do about that, is there? 
Matt
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
You could also wire up the relay to the kickstand switch so that the lights don't come on when the stand's down.
That is super cool idea!! Someone could make some cash selling a gadget that, especially to some of us that forget to turn off the key once in a while.
Soren
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
It looks like the turn signal switch might fit where the light switch should be. It would take a bit of wiring, but if that is true, a signal switch could be made into a Low-Off-High switch.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Light 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:
Quote:
You could also wire up the relay to the kickstand switch so that the lights don't come on when the stand's down.
That is super cool idea!! Someone could make some cash selling a gadget that, especially to some of us that forget to turn off the key once in a while.
Soren
It'd work for that, but I'd be more worried about your ignition - leaving it on without running can actually damage your coils. Also makes it easy to steal the bike.
Matt
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Re: Light 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 |
I've actually had a little think about it, and it wouldn't be too hard to set up a circuit triggered off the stand so it turns the light on the first time you kick it up, and leaves it on till you turn the key off - regardless of wether you put the stand back down again... hmm might have to warm up me soldering iron.
Matt
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65
Member
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65 |
Great response, thanks guys. I'll have to check out that T-bird switch, anyone looked into availability on one?
I come from a land down under
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Re: Light switch
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Phil,
By coincidence, I stumbled on an article in a recent mag concerning safety requirements and state's requirements. The headlight laws in the US vary by state. Nearly all require headlight usage under one or more of the following guildlines;
1. If equiped w/ permanently wired headlights
2. All bikes after a particular date - Those dates were generally mid '70s to 1980.
Six states have NO requirement. I don't remember them all but I think some were Ala. Alaska, Ill.
If I can remember to look, I'll post the mag name and issue. Maybe those interested can use it as a reference.
There's a lot of variation on the requirements that those traveling from state to state may find helpful - stuff from helmet laws to handle bar heigth, to passenger seating, etc.
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
You know one switch our bikes DO lack that other US triumphs have had is a high beam flashing button, oh and hazzard lights, both of which my friend's Legend has...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Light 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:
You know one switch our bikes DO lack that other US triumphs have had is a high beam flashing button, oh and hazzard lights, both of which my friend's Legend has...
I've installed hazard lights on my TBA - there's a write up about it on my website.
Matt
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Re: Light switch
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I'm aware of the hazzard lights wiring, and I have a signal minder now which includes it, my point was more to point out that OLDER bikes have better functions than the newer ones!! Seems backwards, ya know? I do like your site by the way Matt:)
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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