Topic: Retrofitting a lights-on/off control set. Easy?

[GroovieGhoulie]

I'm kicking around the idea of retrofitting a lights-on/off right-hand control off of an earlier CB350F or UK-spec CB400F.  Is it a drop-in modification, or does the wiring take some work?

I have no problem with the lights on while riding, (and would continue to use them as such) but when I'm tuning it or fiddling with it in the driveway, (which is often), I don't want the needless load on the electrical system.

Has this been done?

[Gordon]

I'm sure it can be done, but would be much easier to just wire in a separate switch to turn the headlight on/off.

[GroovieGhoulie]

I'm sure it can be done, but would be much easier to just wire in a separate switch to turn the headlight on/off.

Hmm...That's probably true, but I like the integrated look of the factory switchgear.

I assume it would require a whole new wiring harness?

If so, I'll just save it for my cafe project will will get all new stuff anyway.

[TwoTired]

Have you thought of just popping the headlight fuse while fiddling in the driveway?

Cheers,

[GroovieGhoulie]

Pulling the fuse is an idea and one I had not thought of.

However part of it is my Libertarian bent demanding who do THEY think they are not letting me decide if I want my light on or off?  I kinda just want the control back.  I'll have the lights on (or off) when {i]I[/i] damn well want to!! 

[TwoTired]

However part of it is my Libertarian bent demanding who do THEY think they are not letting me decide if I want my light on or off?  I kinda just want the control back.  I'll have the lights on (or off) when {i]I[/i] damn well want to!! 

"THEY" will tell you they are saving humanity by passing laws mandating motorcycles have the headlight on at all times.
I think it is taxpayer income protection for the government, myself.

In CA there's a law that the headlights have to be on if the windshield wipers are.  Yes, they can ticket and fine you for the violation.  Ignorance is no excuse for the law.  Doesn't matter if only new cars have the automatic circuitry.

I keep trying to vote the bastards out.  But, I can't get popular cooperation.

[chippyfive50]

It is rather simple to do, but getting the wires hidden or acceptable to a handlebar switch may be another story. I put a double pole double throw right into my headlight bucket(hi-off-low).
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=3317.0

oldmanhonda has some good "simple" diagrams     http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php#class

[bryanj]

All you need is the switch, loom and everything else is same for all countries

[GroovieGhoulie]

All you need is the switch, loom and everything else is same for all countries

Is the "Handlebar Switch, Right-hand" from DSS for 35 pounds the UK switch with the on/off switch?

[ProTeal55]

Why don't you just run a small toggle either under the tank, or somewhere else where only YOUwill
know it is there. Would be allot easier then trying to re-invent the wheel (so to speak)..

In CA there's a law that the headlights have to be on if the windshield wipers are.

Illinois has the same law about having headlights on while wipers are in use. I have actually recieved three
tickets for this in the past...

[TwoTired]

Illinois has the same law about having headlights on while wipers are in use. I have actually recieved three
tickets for this in the past...

Yes, safety at all costs...to the governed.
In Kalifornia they are lax on enforcement for the first couple years.  Then when new revenue streams are sought, they can just say they're enforcing laws that have been on the book for years. Ignorance is no excuse.
It's an added penalty for driving an old car that doesn't bring the state revenue from "new car" registration and taxes.

sigh

[GroovieGhoulie]

Why don't you just run a small toggle either under the tank, or somewhere else where only YOUwill
know it is there. Would be allot easier then trying to re-invent the wheel (so to speak)..

I think it would be harder to refit a switch.  All I have to do with the original idea is:

pull the handlebars
remove the fuel tank
unplug the connectors
remove the right switch cluster
weave the new wiring through the handlebar
attach the new switch
attach the connectors
reinstall tank and handlebars

A 30-minute job and one that is done with factory parts and has a factory look when complete.  Could I splice in a switch?  Sure, but then I approach the realm of a "Nocturnal Aviation" bike and I want it as factory as possible.  I'm one of those originality wonks.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Just out of curiosity does the US left hand switch gear combine the horn button with a flash the headlight high beam button?

No.  Horn only.  I've seen the UK horn/flash, and the US switch is horn only.

PS:  You wouldn't happen to have a excellent-shape UK right-hand switch-gear laying around would you? 

[GroovieGhoulie]

Just out of curiosity does the US left hand switch gear combine the horn button with a flash the headlight high beam button?

No.  Horn only.  I've seen the UK horn/flash, and the US switch is horn only.

PS:  You wouldn't happen to have a excellent-shape UK right-hand switch-gear laying around would you? 

ooops...... sorry ghoulie I don't have a switch. I will say that if you put a new UK one on the bike, your old one on the other side will look crap against it...... just my opinion

As far as condition, the bike was VERY well taken care of and the switchgear looks brand new.  Not faded at all.  I'm concerned about the wiring in the ignition switch because I've just read that the headlight-on wiring is in the ignition switch.  Maybe the US switches just had the wiring running through the righthand switchgear without a switch in the path so all bikes could use the same ignition and wiring harness, but the UK bikes have a switch in the otherwise identical wiring.  This would save money.  In this case, my modification would be drop in and seamless.

[GroovieGhoulie]

I already had the switch off to put the low 400F handlebar on it and I didn't see any empty connectors.

I think the way Honda did it was to use identical wiring harnesses and wiring on the UK and US bikes, except the UK bikes had a switch in the path of the headlight current, while the US bikes would have a straight wire running in the same place.  This would allow them to use the same parts for both market's bikes, but only use different switchgear.  From an economic standpoint, that makes sense.  No need for completely different electrical systems for the two different markets. 

Such a design would save Honda $$$ and make my job a lot easier.  Straight swap.  If they went the different (hard) way and wired the bikes different, then I'm screwed unless I want to re-engineer my bike.  If that's the case, I will do a hidden switch in the bike as opposed to re-engineer the electrics, even though it's probably something simple as replacing the wiring harness and switches with UK-spec ones.

A lot of manufacturers do stuff like that: pre-wire the car for the good sound system and if you get a car with the base radio, you still have the hard parts prepositioned to drop in the good factory parts later if you wish.  Cheaper to build them all the same way, then put in different end-items, versus building them two completely different ways.

[ProTeal55]

I think it would be harder to refit a switch. All I have to do with the original idea is:

pull the handlebars
remove the fuel tank
unplug the connectors
remove the right switch cluster
weave the new wiring through the handlebar
attach the new switch
attach the connectors
reinstall tank and handlebars

A 30-minute job and one that is done with factory parts and has a factory look when complete. Could I splice in a switch? Sure, but then I approach the realm of a "Nocturnal Aviation" bike and I want it as factory as possible. I'm one of those originality wonks.

If you think pulling the bars, running wires thru the bars, and pulling the tank is easier than running one (1) switch , god bless.....

[aliengirl]

the starter button on my 400F fried a while back (there seems to be a bit of plastic that commonly decays in there) so my shop wired in a new (used) right hand switch, i think from a CB750 (but it could've been from another model) which has the light on/off deal. i'm pretty sure they had to pull my handlebars to do it. they also sell used parts. not sure where you are or if the postage would be feasable but they are in San Francisco and are really great folks.

a haven for old hondas....
http://charlies-place.com/

[Bodi]

The no-off switch set has a spliced wire in its wire harness, bypassing the switch. The wire goes in brown/white (if I remember right) and joins to a black wire and comes back out. So the main harness is identical, either type of right handlebar unit will work.