Topic: Electrical question - eliminating idiot lights

[Tim.]

I'm working at trimming my 550F down a bit, and putting smaller gauges on it from a 360.  I'm wanting to rid myself of the christmas tree of lights between my old gauges, and am either going to replace with the integrated handlebar clamp/lights of 500's and early 550's, or perhaps easier, just get rid of them altogether.

Any ramifications of just unplugging the tree and putting it in my parts bin?  I'm going to study my wiring diagram, but aren't convinced I'll know for sure until I either do it or someone with a few more brain cells aligned to matters electrical chimes in.

Thanks!

PS - this is what I'm considering using, if anyone has one lying around

[Pirate Gonzo]

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/part.php?id=2696&subcategory=Gauges&bike=&DisplayPerPage=20

I was thinking about going this route on my 550. This way I have the idiot lights without the Christmas tree.


2 cents

[TwoTired]

Any ramifications of just unplugging the tree and putting it in my parts bin? 

How about these? 
The first indication of low oil pressure will be a sudden power loss?
You will drive down long straight stretches of road way with your turn signal on?
You will have to count shift lever movements and/or rock the bike fore and aft to locate neutral.
On coming cars will reactivate their high beams becasue your headlight is on high, too.

If you are using the stock turn flasher, the loss of the indicator lamp may affect the flash rate.

Cheer,

[Tim.]

How about these? 
The first indication of low oil pressure will be a sudden power loss?
You will drive down long straight stretches of road way with your turn signal on?
You will have to count shift lever movements and/or rock the bike fore and aft to locate neutral.
On coming cars will reactivate their high beams becasue your headlight is on high, too.

If you are using the stock turn flasher, the loss of the indicator lamp may affect the flash rate.

Cheer,

Well, I keep an eye on my oil, but yes, the oil pressure lamp would be nice to keep - too bad there isn't an easy oil pressure gauge solution like on the 750.  Maybe I wire up a light for oil pressure.

I ride down long stretches of road with the blinker on anyhow now!  Actually, I have the buzzer working too, and I presume it would continue to work without the idiot light, and it's WAY more annoying to boot.

Finding neutral has never been a problem for me, and my indicator light doesn't work anyhow.

If my misaligned headlight isn't already shining in their eyes, I'd be surprised.  I don't think I've ever turned on the hi-beam for any good reason, so I certainly wouldn't miss the indicator light.

I'm going to buy the old style clamp/light combo, and will use it.  I may in the meantime just unplug everything to see what happens.

[GroovieGhoulie]

My high-beam is wired to be constantly on, and I've never been flashed.  Having only 35w/40w, the "High Beam" really isn't. 

[8 Track]

How about these? 
The first indication of low oil pressure will be a sudden power loss?

Actually, not to undermind you, TT, but you'll get a power increase for a split second (because the oil pump no longer has a load) and then a SUDDEN power loss!  He could incorporate that pressure switch into the ignition circuit, but then it'll be a pain to start.

[mr_jason]

I didn't actually do the wiring work, but my '76 550F has no indicator lights at all and just has JC Whitney gauges without any help there and i have no problems with it.  electrical works great, and i don't have turn signals, so that's not a problem either.




jason