Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

'82 GS1100L headlight question.

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    '82 GS1100L headlight question.

    I've noticed that my '82 GS1100L was made before the headlight was required by law to be on all the time. It has an on-off switch, which is fine. But...I've also noticed it has no high/low beam switch, the headlight is either on or off.

    How hard would it be to use a switch pod from a newer GS (or other bike) that has a high/low beam switch, and to convert the stock headlight to high/low beam? And what parts would i use, from what bikes and years?

    I like having the ability to flash my high/low beam in certain situations, to attract the attention of drivers on side streets/driveways as I approach them, so that maybe they will see me and not pull out in front of me.

    #2
    I thought that law went into effect around '79. Maybe just in some states.

    You're sure you have an 82?

    Comment


      #3
      You sure it's an on/off switch and not the high/low switch with either the high or low burned out or having a wiring issue?

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by whalford1 View Post
        I've noticed that my '82 GS1100L was made before the headlight was required by law to be on all the time. It has an on-off switch, which is fine. But...I've also noticed it has no high/low beam switch, the headlight is either on or off.
        Actually, all bikes sold in the USA that were made on or after January 1, 1979 were required to have the headlight on.
        Either on with the key or some other mechanism (time delay, etc.), so that it was ON while on the road.

        As far as the high/low switch, try moving the turn signal switch up and down. If that is what you are calling an on/off switch, it's possible that one of the beams is burned out.

        .
        sigpic
        mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
        hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
        #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
        #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
        Family Portrait
        Siblings and Spouses
        Mom's first ride
        Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
        (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Steve View Post
          Actually, all bikes sold in the USA that were made on or after January 1, 1979 were required to have the headlight on.
          Either on with the key or some other mechanism (time delay, etc.), so that it was ON while on the road.

          As far as the high/low switch, try moving the turn signal switch up and down. If that is what you are calling an on/off switch, it's possible that one of the beams is burned out.

          .
          I was pretty sure that the law requiring the headlight stay on went into effect in 1979. If I'm not mistaken, Suzuki didn't make the 1100 until 1980. And mine is a 1982.

          The headlight switch doesn't move up/down, but instead slides side-to-side. And it's clearly maked "on-off". Plus, there are no other switches for the headlight.

          I'm wondering if mine was imported by an individual into the USA from a country that doesn't have the headlight on requirement?

          Or if maybe someone changed the switch pod so they could turn the headlight off? Maybe to make the bulb last longer, or to reduce electrical load? I once ran across a guy on a Hardley that had wired in a switch to turn his headlight off. He said he was tired of replacing burned out bulbs. I thought he was dumb...

          Comment


            #6
            My 81 still as an on/off switch that works
            Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

            1981 GS550T - My First
            1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
            2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

            Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
            Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
            and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

            Comment


              #7
              My understanding from having an 80 850G is that 1980 was first year for not having headlight on-off switch.

              .
              Last edited by Redman; 09-26-2012, 09:41 PM.
              http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
              Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
              GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


              https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

              Comment


                #8
                Was going to look up a schematic, but, ah is your "82 1100L" an L (chain) or is it actually a GL (shaft)?
                http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
                Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
                GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


                https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

                Comment


                  #9
                  1981 GS 750 L has a on-off switch
                  1981 GS 550 L has a on-off switch

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Got a picture of the switch?

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Possibly a switch housing from another bike? Curious. Pull headlight housing apart look at bulb, two filaments or for that matter how many prongs in back of bulb for connections?

                      Take a closer look at connections from switch assembly to your harness. Are the wires color coded the same? Do you have a extra pin being used(wire going to it) coming off your harness as opposed to your switch assembly wires?

                      I am thinking that even if it came from another country the harness would be the same, but would be a more likely guess it was done aftermarket by someone who had some parts lying around and strapped for cash for OEM parts.

                      Do you have a friend nearby with another GS? Without taking anything off either bike pull connectors off the other bike and plug into your harness and see if high beams work on his bike. Not sure on length of wires but might reach.

                      Anybody have any thoughts on why this would or not work?
                      I am not familiar with the 1100s But think theory is sound.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by cowboyup3371 View Post
                        My 81 still as an on/off switch that works
                        Well then, at least I'm not alone. So it seems that, somehow, some GS1100s made it into the USA that didn't meet the requirements of the 1979 law.

                        So now I need to find out what parts to use to convert mine over.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Redman View Post
                          Was going to look up a schematic, but, ah is your "82 1100L" an L (chain) or is it actually a GL (shaft)?
                          Mine is the shaft version.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by whalford1 View Post
                            Mine is the shaft version.
                            Okay, so we call it an "L" in conversation, and the side panel emblem says "GS1100L" (with big script L),
                            but .... the model designation is GS1100GL, or if include the year designation: GS1100GLZ (Z for 82).

                            So, let me look at schematic in my Clymers manual (but dont really need to, will be same as 80 850G and 82 1100GK)



                            >> more later >>
                            Last edited by Redman; 09-27-2012, 12:46 AM.
                            http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
                            Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
                            GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


                            https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

                            Comment


                              #15
                              82-83 GS1100GL


                              Shows 3 position headlight Hi-ReturnToCenter-Lo (up- -down) and 5 position turnsignal (sideways), which we know are both the same square button.


                              I dont thing Suzuki made much of anything specific per market (other than paint scheme) on anyh particular model.

                              Heck, they left stuff in the wiring harness for years that didnt need to be there anymore anywhere.


                              Look on ebay for a left handlebar control control unit for 80 - 85, GS850, 1100 G or GL or L. (Maybe 1000) (Maybe even E's) (Maybe 650, but not sure they had some things specific to 650s).
                              Will also have horn button. Will also have choke lever on bottom on 82 and after. Oh, so you will want 82 or after, unless you already have other arrangment for the choke cable.

                              Also, find a schematic.

                              .
                              Last edited by Redman; 09-27-2012, 01:19 AM.
                              http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
                              Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
                              GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


                              https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X