Topic: Headlight on/off switch - lets see em'

[SohRon]

Research shows that the original single headlight does very little to help avoid accidents; in fact, when laws were introduced to mandate headlight use, accident rates for motorcycles in some states actually went up!
Further info, however, indicates that two lights on the front of the bike does make a difference; in fact it's why most new bikes come with a dual headlight.

You want to be safe? Stick an extra headlight on front.

Another reason to have the light off when starting the bike is that leaving it on robs the coils of voltage and messes with the starting sequence.

[750resurrection]

Even when it does not help you see, it helps you be seen.

Don't believe it. Research has proven it doesn't make a difference.

I'm no research subject, although I sometimes wish I was, but I find vehicles are much easier to see with headlights on. Yes, in daylight too.

We've had mandatory daytime driving lights in Canada for a long time and to this day I don't understand the reluctance of our American cousins not to make this safety feature standard on all vehicles.

Well, one instance when we can toss global warming aside and burn burn burn burn up the gas and batteries and bulbs and to heck with the planet. 
 
 I guess it all comes down to ... if it gins their gander then it's teetotal time.

[scottly]

Here's a pic of mine: the bottom switch is the on-off-on headlight, and the upper one is the kill switch.

[FunJimmy]

Well, one instance when we can toss global warming aside and burn burn burn burn up the gas and batteries and bulbs and to heck with the planet. 
 

I like you're thinking.
Rather than trashing the planet & contributing to global warming and the impending disaster as a result of daytime driving lights, we can forgo the perceived safety benefits, causing more driving related deaths which will reduce global populations and greenhouse gasses. Win, win!

[FunJimmy]

Oops, I think we're getting off topic.
Sorry Branden.

FJ

[scottly]

Well, one instance when we can toss global warming aside and burn burn burn burn up the gas and batteries and bulbs and to heck with the planet. 
 

I like you're thinking.
Rather than trashing the planet & contributing to global warming and the impending disaster as a result of daytime driving lights, we can forgo the perceived safety benefits, causing more driving related deaths which will reduce global populations and greenhouse gasses. Win, win!

[750resurrection]

Okay, well I did a carb sync with the home made manometer the other day - sure could have used a headlight off switch.

 Just when I finally got her with all 4 tubes hanging and no two or one sucking up the others or dropping down, the battery took it's final charge dive.

 I hammered on the 6 amp instead of the 1 amp trickle in desperate mode to get done before midnight...

 This fascist state is headlight on motorcycle 100% run time or ticket.

[brandEn]

Yup, a headlight switch woulda been nice!

[Hannibal Smith]

I am wiring up the Kitaco switch from DCC, and will also run a relay.

Most of those aftermarket switches are designed for off-road use, and get away with the small gauge wire because it is only on/off on the headlight, and the wiring is short-

You can get away with skinny wires if they are short, oversimplified, but you get the idea.

My switch will run all the lights, headlight, taillight, and speedo/tac lights, so I am running a relay.

Anyway, do your math, and make sure your switch will support the current.

[Magilla]

So here is a question for you. Considering you don't need to sync your carbs once a week, if you are worried about draining the battery while syncing, why not remove three screws and pull the plug on the light? 

Don't get me wrong, if you want an on off switch that's fine but it's also not that big of a deal to unplug it once and a while.

[TwoTired]

Okay, well I did a carb sync with the home made manometer the other day - sure could have used a headlight off switch.

Is it that difficult to pull the headlight fuse out while doing maintenance operations?

 

[Murdoc]

Previous owner of my bike JB welded a #$%*ty Radio Shack switch onto the frame, I do not suggest this.  I do like the location, but I'll be changing the switch and mounting it in a better looking way.

[flybox1]

Here's mine...





Sorry, couldn't resist.

+1
one of the nice features of my 350F's controls 

[750resurrection]

Okay, well I did a carb sync with the home made manometer the other day - sure could have used a headlight off switch.

Is it that difficult to pull the headlight fuse out while doing maintenance operations?

 

 Oh boy, you just can't win in this forum. 1st you're a troll, then you're nice to kiss everyone's backside, and what happens, someone else insults you... Thanks, love it.

 Unfortunately, on the pile, all the prior spare fuses were burned, and last time I checked, I discovered the end caps loose from the glass on both ends of said fuse. Luckily, I didn't break the connection in the discovery.

 So I considered just pulling the headlight and unplugging, but didn't do that.

 Let it be known though, that TT has proven the maintenance excuse a freaking FARCE, except of course in my case, a justice I am thoroughly enjoying, believe me. 

 I'll also add a reminder: " This fascist state is headlight on motorcycle 100% run time or ticket. "

 Now some of you might say that's ridiculous... however, I have seen that ridiculous and more here - in your own driveway or shed, not like the authorities care - after you're done fighting the ticket, you might as well have just charged the **** battery. Of course they are outside their scope and the law, but that often does not stop them.

 Good luck to those who forget to turn that bucket light back on.

 Oh dear God, someone may be upset again. I cannot seem to get out from under the bridge. 

[liPPy]

Okay, well I did a carb sync with the home made manometer the other day - sure could have used a headlight off switch.

Is it that difficult to pull the headlight fuse out while doing maintenance operations?

 

 Oh boy, you just can't win in this forum. 1st you're a troll, then you're nice to kiss everyone's backside, and what happens, someone else insults you... Thanks, love it.

 Unfortunately, on the pile, all the prior spare fuses were burned, and last time I checked, I discovered the end caps loose from the glass on both ends of said fuse. Luckily, I didn't break the connection in the discovery.

 So I considered just pulling the headlight and unplugging, but didn't do that.

 Let it be known though, that TT has proven the maintenance excuse a freaking FARCE, except of course in my case, a justice I am thoroughly enjoying, believe me. 

 I'll also add a reminder: " This fascist state is headlight on motorcycle 100% run time or ticket. "

 Now some of you might say that's ridiculous... however, I have seen that ridiculous and more here - in your own driveway or shed, not like the authorities care - after you're done fighting the ticket, you might as well have just charged the **** battery. Of course they are outside their scope and the law, but that often does not stop them.

 Good luck to those who forget to turn that bucket light back on.

 Oh dear God, someone may be upset again. I cannot seem to get out from under the bridge. 

[TwoTired]

Unfortunately, on the pile, all the prior spare fuses were burned, and last time I checked, I discovered the end caps loose from the glass on both ends of said fuse.

A single drop of superglue twixt glass and loose end cap remove that issue. 

[750resurrection]

 Well, talk about getting lippy.
Another fine and friendly member no doubt, of course it's all my fault, once again, that certainly is obvious I'm sure to all.

 I guess I'll try the superglue on my original equipment fuse and discolor the glass so long as I'm not in trouble for hacking on that original equipment. It's not a gas tank or a frame, but you never know here.
 ( now you can lip off again lippy, or why not someone else join in !  )
 
 I looked in the mirror it does not say EVERLAST on my forehead. 

[liPPy]

 Well, talk about getting lippy.
Another fine and friendly member no doubt, of course it's all my fault, once again, that certainly is obvious I'm sure to all.

 I guess I'll try the superglue on my original equipment fuse and discolor the glass so long as I'm not in trouble for hacking on that original equipment. It's not a gas tank or a frame, but you never know here.
 ( now you can lip off again lippy, or why not someone else join in !  )
 
 I looked in the mirror it does not say EVERLAST on my forehead. 

Bravo! You managed to go a whole post without making another reference to the "fascist state" in which you seem to think you live

On a serious note, you might consider switching to a blade type fuses. It's a simple enough mod and makes it easy to get replacement fuses should you find yourself in a tight spot.

Do a search and you'll find there are plenty of ways of doing this. I just bought three inline holders and attached them to the body of my existing fuse holder:



// Thread hijack over //

[750resurrection]

 You're late to the party smarty.

Another smart remark. Do your research.. another fool who doesn't know whom he is talking to. Congratulations.

[brandEn]

Geez, what happened to my thread. I was just looking for some switch ideas. Can a moderator please close this thread?

[percolate]

Thread schmed... Ha!

The first part of this thread spurred me into action tonight. (It's bee almost a whole week without some tinkering in the garagey under the halogen lights!) I have headlight and taillight/instrument switches and I quite love them. Aside from their obvious functionality while working on the bike, I rather enjoy flipping the toggles on as part of my 'pre-flight check'.

There's an electronics surplus place pretty close to me and I picked up a couple of switches that would handle the current load for $0.95 each? And cut an aluminum mounting plate and mounted it off the handlebars on the left side. Here they were:

[I can't figure out how to put pics into the middle of a post so please refer to pic no. 1]

When I made the plate I also had a starter switch placed on it. I have since found a nice stock starter switch assembly and need to make a new mounting plate. (Though I do really like having the empty hole there; I hang my glasses from it when helmeting up etc. I will likely make myself something else a little more finished looking to preserve this bit of functionality.) I cut a couple possible patterns out of acrylic with the laser cutter at work and have been meaning to play with them and see which one looks better. So as inspired by this topic I mocked them up on the bike tonight. Here are my two contenders:

[refer to picture 2 & picture 3]

In person I like the round one better but in the picture I prefer the profiled one. I also want to stamp "H" and "T" for head and tail like on the original cause I'm too dumb to remember which switch does what. And they look cool and people, including other enthusiasts, don't know what they stand for so it's mysterious and therefore cool. [googly-eyed smiley oooooo face here] The profiled one may accommodate this more visually comfortably than the round one. Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

brandEn, hope this helps and thanks for the impetus to work on this tonight.

Oh, and for the record, when I synched my carbs ABOUT A WEEK AGO, it sure was nice to minimize the current draw while sitting at idle for a spell. [tongue sticking out of mouth smiley face] Just sayin.

[percolate]

Well it wouldn't let me attach all three pics to the post. Said something about size too large even though I was well below the size limitations. So here's pics 2 and 3. I hope.

[brandEn]

GREAT idea, thanks for sharing

[davis96]

You can see my headlight switch in this pic between the tach and oil pressure gauge:

I welded up the bracket that holds the headlight switch last night, it is composed (like much of the bike) of random bits found in boxes I have laying around, namely this washer and unidentified widget:
The headlight, headlight switch, horn button, starter button, and a good portion of the wiring are custom rigged by me.

[RAFster122s]

anyone use a aftermarket off-on-on. to include their brights..? i have on i can post later, but is a pos. and blows fuses every once in a while.MAtt

they did not put a device across the relay to kill the spark arc... rc using high volt packs have to do this to prevent damage to ESC and from welding contacts/connector.