Headlight OFF switch..

[Hacked850]

I have a 82 850 and I'm wanting to be able to turn off the headlight for starting.Can I use a left handbar switch off a older GS with the headlight off switch on mine??.If so is it a straight swap??,or is there another ( easy) way to accomplish this??.

[Nessism]

The early switch won't plug into your harness, plus the self cancel turn signals won't work.

Full-on headlamps have been a standard feature with every bike sold since 1980 so not following you logic here...

[Hacked850]

Cold weather starts and low battery times.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

There is a way to wire in a relay that will automatically turn off the headlight when you push the start button. There might be a diagram on my website or search the forum.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

There is a way to wire in a relay that will automatically turn off the headlight when you push the start button.

Yes, I have wired such a relay. Not sure if it has been added to BassCliff's library, but it's easy to do.

I pulled the wire out of the harness right after the fuse panel and connected it across the terminals of a relay. The relay HAS to have an 87a terminal, which would be a fifth pin in the center of the relay. CAUTION: some relays have two terminals labeled 87, but you need one that has one 87 and one 87a. Connect the wire from the fuse panel to #30 and the wire that goes to the front of the bike to #87a. Connect a wire from #85 to the starter terminal of the solenoid. Connect another wire from #86 to a ground. When the starter is activated, the relay will OPEN, turning the lights off while the starter button is being held, then will close again, turning the lights back on when you release the starter.

.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

You're right Steve, I don't have a copy of that mod on my website. Follow the link to Matchless' Mediafire page and you will find his documentation.

http://download1493.mediafire.com/gqwcjjq32b6g/mgmy2wjmnmm/Relay+modifications+for+Suzuki+GS.pdf

This PDF file includes relay information for the headlight.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Normk]

Another way is to use a standard relay (one without the 87a) and connect the relay coil ground wire to the starter side of the starter relay.

In this scenario, the relay is grounded by the low resistance circuit provided by the starting motor. The resistance of the starting motor is so low that the relay will "see" the circuit as a direct ground. The current flow through the relay coil is so small that the starting motor will not be affected.

When the starter relay is closed during starting, the voltage will be the same at both coil leads of the light relay so current flow will stop and the light relay will open. Depending on your install, it may be easier to do this way. I routinely use this technique to shut off accessory relays during starting.

HIH
(Hope It Helps someone)

Norm