Help needed with new RR install & the headlight switch circuit...

[MidWestCoast442]

Okay great. Thank you!

[tom203]

Did it on my 78 1000,light still turns on and off.

My 81 does too after bypass.

[JTGS850GL]

Okay. Thanks for all of the help. I'm going to order an RR from Duaneage and see how it goes.

In regards to the headlight switch circuit - My bike has an on/off switch. So cutting-out that loop and wiring the white/red wire directly to the stator will not affect my ability to turn the headlight on & off?

Yes, you can still turn off the light, but why would you want to? Leaving the light on has proven to be an effective safety feature.

[Steve]

In regards to the headlight switch circuit - My bike has an on/off switch. So cutting-out that loop and wiring the white/red wire directly to the stator will not affect my ability to turn the headlight on & off?

There are actually two sets of contacts in the headlight switch. One of them controls the current from the battery to the light, the other will interrupt one of the stator wires when the headlight is turned OFF. Bypassing the stator wires will not affect your ability to control the headlight.

HOWEVER, ... you should note that if you turn the headlight OFF, there will be more 'excess' current available. At idle, while warming up the bike after startup, it will help charge the battery quicker, but once under way, the R/R will have to shunt a LOT more current. As mentioned before, there are, indeed, safety advantages to having the headlight ON while riding, that will help absorb some of the 'excess' current.

Will also add one detail in the trivia department here: the 'third leg' of the stator that gets turned off by the headlight switch generates just a little bit more than the headlight needs. I discovered that on my son's 450T, when he still had it. The voltage at idle was just a little bit higher with the headlight (and the third stator leg) ON than when it was OFF.

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[MidWestCoast442]

Okay. Thank you. That helps to clear things up.

I'm not concerned about my ability to turn the headlight off. I was only concerned about my ability to continue to be able to turn it ON. Ya dig?

I do ride with the headlight turned on...for the obvious safety reasons.

[Steve]

That is good. Just thought I would explain the workings of the two sets of contacts and the fact that, after you bypass the headlight look with the stator wire, if you turn the light OFF (easier to crank the engine) while the engine is warming up and you are putting on the last of your gear, the battery will charge a bit quicker to recover from starting the engine.

THEN you can feel free to turn the light ON and hit the road.

.

[MidWestCoast442]

Much appreciated!

[SVSooke]

Me to Steve,wondered why it worked but didn't worry to much as I was just glad it did.

[MidWestCoast442]

Finished the Honda RR installation. Works great. Easy to install. Cut-out the leg of wire that goes up to the headlight switch. Works fine, just as everyone stated. What a weird/dumb way for the factory to wire that circuit...

[60ratrod]

When did the feds mandate the headlight? Curious because my 81 has the on/off switch that i only use when i park the bike so i'm not using more battery than necessary when trouble shooting or starting before i ride. After i get on to go the light gets turned on

[SVSooke]

In 81 the switch was still incorporated into the left pod.There is or was a nub molded into the back the lever to keep it on.Unscrew the lever,take off the nub and you had an on/off switch.Most models after 82 had newer type pods with no on/off switch.