Red Dash Light

[coldsolderjoint]

Ok.. I'm a newbie at pretty much everything motorcycles.. so you can laugh at this question..

The red light on the dash is for oil pressure I presume. But it only comes on when the bike is not running, ie no oil pressure.. but I already know that because the engine isn't on

Would the red light ever come on when the bike IS running?

I'm thinking about chopping stuff off of the bike, and am thinking about what indicator lights I need and don't need.

Thanks in advance.

[reliant_turbo]

the light only comes on with a lack of oil pressure.

if it comes on when the bike is running its bad. it could come on if the oil is low or the oil pump quits spinning or other bad reasons.

keep it.

Brian

[Steve]

Yes, that light does have the possibility of coming on when the engine is running.

You don't ever want it to, but it's possible.

It is there for a reason. If you choose to ignore it, ... I hope you survive.

Just please make sure you keep one very important part adjusted: the nut that connects the handlebars to the seat.

.

[Rover]

When you say it only comes on when the bike is not running....I presume the key is in and turned "on" without hitting the starter? Or is it on without the key,you do not mention this.Just seeing if you have some weird electrical situation.

[coldsolderjoint]

lol.. sorry about that.. it comes on with key in "on" position but engine not running.. like it's supposed to.

The question was basically asking "Do I really need this red light?"

Just like.. do I really need the high beam light?.. during the day I keep the high beam on.. and at night, its on unless I'm near other cars.. so I should be able to tell by the brightness difference..

The neutral light is handy.. although not necessary.. and I think the only necessary one is the blinker light.. since after you ride for a mile with it on.. you realize what the blinking yellow is. lol

My last bike didn't have the gear number lights.. and its nice, but not necessary IMO

The fuel gauge is cool.. but I don't think its very useful in terms of actual amount of gas left.. would be interesting to see if you could re-wire it to the red light so you just get a red light when your sorta low on gas instead of the needle.

And I guess the tach is good for benchmarking and stuff.. but I rarely look at it.. I just ride by feel and sound.

Thinking about removing the dash and putting one of those universal speedometer in for looks. Some of them come with lights.

[Toasty]

The only time I've ever had it come on while riding was when I had to brake HARD in an emergency. I had the old fork springs too so it dove quite a bit and the light flashed on for a second.

[1_v8_merc]

Aftermarket Oil Coolers will usually cause an oil pressure light problem.
Mine has been on for 2 years now...I just installed an aftermarket oil pressure gauge, to verify pressure.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Yup an Idiot light. I would keep it but then I am an idiot who wants to know if the engine should be immediately shut down.