Headlight switch

[flyingace]

My GS model turns on the lights when you turn on the ignition switch. OK most of the time, but if your charging system fails, the last thing you want sucking up current is the headlight.

I drilled a hole in the headlight housing and slipped in a simple toggle switch. I used an 0-ring to seal it and hooked it to the high-beam wire. So now the headlight still comes on with the ignition, but if I really need to turn it off, I just switch to high beam and flip the toggle.

[Texas Don]

Interesting. My bike has an on-off switch for the headlight. They must have changed that at some point.

[Raven457]

thanks for sharing, its a pretty neat idea... I may have to steal it for my own bike

[TheCafeKid]

Interesting. My bike has an on-off switch for the headlight. They must have changed that at some point.

By 1980, US bikes were required to have full time running headlights. Just like the OP, it would be easy to wire it in, and if one were to use a left switch from a pre 80 GS, it could look really stock...

[flyingace]

Since I've never posted a pic before, I thought I would use the overwhelming interest in my HL switch as an excuse to try it. Here it is:

[tas850g]

my 81 650L has the option of turning on or off the headlight so either it is an option per model, my bike is not a U.S. version. or that on/off light changed latter. The speedo is in MPH so i'm thinking it is a U.S. model???

[flyingace]

No idea. Maybe the bike was manufactured in 1980 prior to the law and labeled a 1981.

[7th day]

My '81 750E had a tab molded into the switch thumb piece to keep you from turning the lights off so I just bought the plastic thumb piece from an earlier model and swapped out the oem part, cheap easy fix.

[DanTheMan]

My '80 850 (dated Nov '79 on head tube) has the lights always on, never had the off option.

[MAC10]

My Canadian 1978 model has a permanently on headlight.

[posplayr]

My '81 750E had a tab molded into the switch thumb piece to keep you from turning the lights off so I just bought the plastic thumb piece from an earlier model and swapped out the oem part, cheap easy fix.

I have an 81 GS750EX as well with a thumb switch control of the lights; no idea if it came that way of was swapped as you describe.

[BeerMonger]

Mr. Matchless wrote an article hosted by BikeCliff that describes the use of relays to automatically switch off the headlight while starting. Additionally, there is a description of using a relay to open a direct path to the starter coils.

Starter Coil Relay Mod
Other Relay Mods

[flyingace]

Mr. Matchless wrote an article hosted by BikeCliff that describes the use of relays to automatically switch off the headlight while starting. Additionally, there is a description of using a relay to open a direct path to the starter coils.

Starter Coil Relay Mod
Other Relay Mods

I guess I don't really see the point in that. If the battery and charging system are fully functional, a GS should start up just fine with the headlight on. Mine always has. If the battery has drained for some reason, I can manually turn off my headlight before engaging the starter and leave if off.

[mf70]

My '79 250 had a HL switch that was molded to block moving to the "on" position. I was able to carve the plastic and restore the switch function while keeping it stock.

Before I found this site and learned how to rebuild the stator, it let me ride the bike for many years. (but not at night)