Shut-Off Switch Panel - Is it a good Idea?

[Guest]

Greetings all,

I've been absent for a little while but I've been busy with the bike, though I haven't kept up with the forum lately. Now that finals and other life troubles are out of the way, I'm able to devote more time to the bike.

I have half-installed a stereo system on the bike. The system did not include an on-off switch, so I purchased one from radioshack and fashioned myself a panel so I can turn the entire system on and off, and adjust the volume. I have quite a bit of space left over, at least enough for 2 more switches, and I was seriously considering installing one to cut power to my headlights.

The charging system on this bike is either damaged or the battery needs to be replaced. At this time, I am ill equipped and too short on cash to afford replacing or upgrading either. When I turn the ignition on, my running lights and headlight come on, as normal. I'd like to put the switch on there to lessen the drain from the electronics, so I can actually start the damn bike when I need to.

As it stands now, I get maybe 6 seconds (2 or 3 seconds at a time) of trying to start the engine before the battery winds down. Will this shut-off switch help? Aside from that, I know that the DOT has restrictions and laws in place in many areas that require a motorcycle's headlights to be on at all times. Will this switch be legal?

I plan on installing 2 additional headlights (LEDs), and upgrading the current headlight to an LED. I'd like to have everything LED to save on power, so that I can put more on the bike. (Air compressor + train horns, anyone? ) This is why I went with a panel that I could expand. Ultimately, I'd like to have fog lamps, 2 headlights, and rear / center lights and LED trim. I'm going for maximum -legal- visibility.

As always, your input and guidance is greatly appreciated!

[posplayr]

Greetings all,

I've been absent for a little while but I've been busy with the bike, though I haven't kept up with the forum lately. Now that finals and other life troubles are out of the way, I'm able to devote more time to the bike.

I have half-installed a stereo system on the bike. The system did not include an on-off switch, so I purchased one from radioshack and fashioned myself a panel so I can turn the entire system on and off, and adjust the volume. I have quite a bit of space left over, at least enough for 2 more switches, and I was seriously considering installing one to cut power to my headlights.

The charging system on this bike is either damaged or the battery needs to be replaced. At this time, I am ill equipped and too short on cash to afford replacing or upgrading either. When I turn the ignition on, my running lights and headlight come on, as normal. I'd like to put the switch on there to lessen the drain from the electronics, so I can actually start the damn bike when I need to.

As it stands now, I get maybe 6 seconds (2 or 3 seconds at a time) of trying to start the engine before the battery winds down. Will this shut-off switch help? Aside from that, I know that the DOT has restrictions and laws in place in many areas that require a motorcycle's headlights to be on at all times. Will this switch be legal?

I plan on installing 2 additional headlights (LEDs), and upgrading the current headlight to an LED. I'd like to have everything LED to save on power, so that I can put more on the bike. (Air compressor + train horns, anyone? ) This is why I went with a panel that I could expand. Ultimately, I'd like to have fog lamps, 2 headlights, and rear / center lights and LED trim. I'm going for maximum -legal- visibility.

As always, your input and guidance is greatly appreciated!

People do headlamp relay mods to shut off the headlamp when cranking. I've never actually done it , but more than likely do something like wire headlamp to Normally closed position of a relay and then on the solenoid side connect the starter solenoid signal (with a ground). This way the relay will switch to a open position (lights go off) when the solenoid is energised (when cranking the starter).


Looks at this to get some ideas. I did just see an small error. The starter solenoid is not showin with the control wire from the start button. Other than that it provides some good techniques for improving your bike. I know you don't have any money but EasterBeaver also has a centralized relay set that is solid state to do something similar.

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/SystemRelayMod-1.pdf

[Killer2600]

Will this switch be legal?

I plan on installing 2 additional headlights (LEDs), and upgrading the current headlight to an LED. I'd like to have everything LED to save on power, so that I can put more on the bike. (Air compressor + train horns, anyone? ) This is why I went with a panel that I could expand. Ultimately, I'd like to have fog lamps, 2 headlights, and rear / center lights and LED trim. I'm going for maximum -legal- visibility.

As always, your input and guidance is greatly appreciated!

No, you can not have a operator controlled way (switch) of turning off the federally required headlights on an on-road use motorcycle made 1979 and later.

Sounds like your customizing a truck or at the very least a goldwing.

On a side rant, I find it strange that people who fear that the limited visibility of a motorcycle makes motorcycles unsafe, try to up visibility with various crazy schemes to get an ill-conceived sense of safety rather than take up a hobby they actually feel safe with doing. I'd hate to hear about a guy on a bmw bike wearing a yellow safety jacket and white helmet get killed in an accident knowing the guy probably didn't die doing something he loved but instead something he maybe wanted to love but just never really felt safe doing.

[Baatfam]

No, you can not have a operator controlled way (switch) of turning off the federally required headlights on an on-road use motorcycle made 1979 and later.

Sure you can....

My '95 K1100RS has the euro controls with headlight switch...

[Steve]

People do headlamp relay mods to shut off the headlamp when cranking. I've never actually done it , but more than likely do something like wire headlamp to Normally closed position of a relay and then on the solenoid side connect the starter solenoid signal (with a ground). This way the relay will switch to a open position (lights go off) when the solenoid is energised (when cranking the starter).

That is exactly how I have mine wired. Very easy to do, you just need to find a five-pin relay that has the center pin labelled 87a. Connect your power input (from the battery) to pin #30 and your headlight (ahead of the dimmer switch) to #87a. Connect #85 (or #86) to ground, connect #86 (or #85) to the starter terminal at the solenoid. When you activate the solenoid to start the bike, it also activates the relay, which opens the contacts to the headlight.

Sounds like your customizing a truck or at the very least a goldwing.

I just might take personal offense to that.


Ahab,

One thing you might want to look into, along with your healight cut-out system: why is it taking you six seconds of cranking to start the bike?

If your carbs are properly cleaned and your valves are properly adjusted, you will not even need to push the button for a full second, let alone six.

.

[Killer2600]

Sure you can....

My '95 K1100RS has the euro controls with headlight switch...

I said no it's not LEGAL and if you have safety inspection in your state it won't pass that either if found.

I just might take personal offense to that.

Do you have train horns on your christmas tree er I mean wing?

[Baatfam]

I said no it's not LEGAL and if you have safety inspection in your state it won't pass that either if found.

You said "can not," and I said I can, and I do....

No one mention legalities...BTW, I've been known to exceed the posted speed limit on occasion, also...

And nope, no inspections in IL...
But, North Carolina does and that's where I bought it. I suspect most inspectors wouldn't know it if they saw it.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Cranking your bike puts a much bigger strain on the battery than the headlight. Sure, you can put a band-aid on it. But it's always better to fix it properly. Feel free to check out The Stator Papers and all the charging system and electrical information on my little website.

Mr. Steve is right, a properly maintained and tuned bike will not take more that 2 seconds to fire up, even in the cold.

http://youtu.be/PTnCPwuIQLk

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Call Me Ahab]

Whew, this is gonna be a long one...

here goes -

People do headlamp relay mods to shut off the headlamp when cranking...
http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/...RelayMod-1.pdf

If what I'm seeing here is correct, and that cut-off is illegal, it looks like this will have to be the way to go.

No, you can not have a operator controlled way (switch) of turning off the federally required headlights on an on-road use motorcycle made 1979 and later.

Sounds like your customizing a truck or at the very least a goldwing.

On a side rant, I find it strange that people who fear that the limited visibility of a motorcycle makes motorcycles unsafe, try to up visibility with various crazy schemes to get an ill-conceived sense of safety rather than take up a hobby they actually feel safe with doing. I'd hate to hear about a guy on a bmw bike wearing a yellow safety jacket and white helmet get killed in an accident knowing the guy probably didn't die doing something he loved but instead something he maybe wanted to love but just never really felt safe doing.

On the subject of safety, I enjoy it - I have always known that riding a motorcycle in Texas, in this town full of kids who barely pass the driving exams, who stay out all night drinking and text while driving, is mildly dangerous. Until last year, my approach was to cimply be extra cautious, always expect the driver ahead and those behind to be utter imbeciles and act accordingly..

Last September my 23 year old brother was killed when a driver pulled out in front of him while he was riding his motorcycle. She had 100% clear field of vision, the sun hadn't come up, he ran HID bulbs, and she "Didn't see him" while she rolled through a stop sign. I will leave no one with this excuse - in fact I am taking steps to ensure that if someone "doesn't see me", I will take them with me to the great beyond

Until I can afford my FB6... If I can't have an air bag, I'll just make myself obnoxiously obvious.

That is exactly how I have mine wired. Very easy to do, you just need to find a five-pin relay that has the center pin labelled 87a. Connect your power input (from the battery) to pin #30 and your headlight (ahead of the dimmer switch) to #87a. Connect #85 (or #86) to ground, connect #86 (or #85) to the starter terminal at the solenoid. When you activate the solenoid to start the bike, it also activates the relay, which opens the contacts to the headlight.




I just might take personal offense to that.


Ahab,

One thing you might want to look into, along with your healight cut-out system: why is it taking you six seconds of cranking to start the bike?

If your carbs are properly cleaned and your valves are properly adjusted, you will not even need to push the button for a full second, let alone six.

.

Thank you for that - I'll contemplate which route I need to take here, but that's a great start, I'll start chopping for that relay.

As far as starting, I really have no earthly idea why it takes so damn long... I can only figure that the carbs are not synched yet, beyond that I really don't know. Valves are great, carbs were completely rebuilt and very thoroughly cleaned. But, I know for a fact that they're not synched. I'm saving for the Morgan Carbtune at the moment =]

Until they're tuned and I'm happy with the way it runs and starts, I'm not even taking it on the road. I also have an issue to resolve with my front tire - but that's another story.

I said no it's not LEGAL and if you have safety inspection in your state it won't pass that either if found.

Do you have train horns on your christmas tree er I mean wing?

Legal is my concern... And the guy I take my bikes to is a stickler for things like non-stock wiring and mods. I use him because he can usually spot a problem before it becomes a serious issue - not to be confused with the typical mechanic's "Well, I changed your oil but while I was at it... We found your CV joints are bad, your shocks leak, you need a new rear oil seal, your spark plugs are fouled, your fluids all need to be flushed, and your flux capacitor is rusty."

Hi,

Cranking your bike puts a much bigger strain on the battery than the headlight. Sure, you can put a band-aid on it. But it's always better to fix it properly. Feel free to check out The Stator Papers and all the charging system and electrical information on my little website.

Mr. Steve is right, a properly maintained and tuned bike will not take more that 2 seconds to fire up, even in the cold.

http://youtu.be/PTnCPwuIQLk

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Indeed - I actually read a few pages into the stator papers, but I don't have the money to replace the R/R and the stator at this time. It is a definite on the list of things to do, as I can see where the old wiring is badly burned.



SO- I won't go with that headlight shut-off as I originally planned. I will look into that relay though, that seems like a good idea.

Before I dive into the wiring issue, I'll just buy my Carbtune and see if the adjusted carbs help with my starting troubles.

I'll be browsing the forum later for ideas on concealing and routing my wires, as I am not at all happy with how they're currently run. Difficult to run them when I'm using a temp tank, it isn't made for that bike so it doesn't fit correctly, making it hard to guess at where my wires will be safe =[

Thanks everyone! I'll be looking into these things. As always I appreciate your time and input

[koolaid_kid]

It is not illegal to shut off the headlight while cranking. My GPz came from the factory with that feature. It allows full battery current to the battery while cranking.
I did this mod to my GS; it involves a Bosch-style relay that cuts power to the headlight when the starter solenoid is energized. Posplayr refers to it in general with his post.
If you understand relays, just google a relay circuit that is open when energized. When the relay is energized (starter is cranking) it opens and the headlight turns off. When the relay is not energized (starter is not cranking) the headlight is on. Completely legal.
Just be certain that your circuit is fused with a 10A fuse and you should be gtg.

[posplayr]

Whew, this is gonna be a long one...

Indeed - I actually read a few pages into the stator papers, but I don't have the money to replace the R/R and the stator at this time. It is a definite on the list of things to do, as I can see where the old wiring is badly burned.

You should still go through the GS Charging Health and make sure you do the steps on changing all the connections on the R/R and add the required grounds. It might actually save what you have if it is not too far gone. It will only cost some time and solder with a little wire. (OK maybe a crimp ringlug or two)

[Call Me Ahab]

You should still go through the GS Charging Health and make sure you do the steps on changing all the connections on the R/R and add the required grounds. It might actually save what you have if it is not too far gone. It will only cost some time and solder with a little wire. (OK maybe a crimp ringlug or two)

I'll look into it tonight if I'm not flooded in - thanks!

[Killer2600]

Last September my 23 year old brother was killed when a driver pulled out in front of him while he was riding his motorcycle. She had 100% clear field of vision, the sun hadn't come up, he ran HID bulbs, and she "Didn't see him" while she rolled through a stop sign. I will leave no one with this excuse - in fact I am taking steps to ensure that if someone "doesn't see me", I will take them with me to the great beyond

Until I can afford my FB6... If I can't have an air bag, I'll just make myself obnoxiously obvious.

And yet you ride? All I can say is wow.

In regards to the "Didn't see him" comment, that excuse will always be made until the end of time. There are people that use that excuse with trains for crying out loud. Really, it's a can't win situation.

You said "can not," and I said I can, and I do....

No one mention legalities...BTW, I've been known to exceed the posted speed limit on occasion, also...

The OP mentioned about the legality, and I replied on the mention, so I am legitimately in the legal context. Hence my reply, by reciprocity, is in the legal realm.

And I said you "can not," so you have to take it off now

[Baatfam]

The OP mentioned about the legality, and I replied on the mention, so I am legitimately in the legal context. Hence my reply, by reciprocity, is in the legal realm.

And I said you "can not," so you have to take it off now

Ah, I see it now, missed that line. So you are correct to bring up legalities.

However, I would still maintain that installing said switch is not illegal.
Riding on public roads with light off would be illegal, but just adding the switch? Not so sure.
It may vary from state to state.

[hjfisk]

I personally would think that by the time you buy all the switches and relays you could just put a new battery in and not have to deal with the wiring aspects of it. Just my .02 cents