Full time Headlight override hack

Use the indicators and the tail light for the warm up stage. Might take a minute longer but should still get the juices flowing.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Chaps,

I had a look inside the headlight shell of my Euro 4 spec bike today. The wiring is different to the pre E4 shown in this thread. The ‘plug’ is not there to be pulled. The little ‘thingy’ that I thought might be the new version of the plug is clearly not, as it makes no difference to the lights function when removed.

As others have said, if you remove the plastic blocker that locks the switch in place, all you achieve by ‘turning off’ is turning off the main beam function.

Here’s the real issue:

The left hand handle bar switch has 9 wires going into a block connector. The receiving block connector that’s part of the main loom, only has 6 of those 9 wired in!

So, 3 wires required for full switch function are ‘missing’.

My conclusion is that Pre E4 bikes were wired up to allow normal lights on / off function. Then the factory added an over ride which, when removed, returned normal on / off function.

However, the E4 bikes appear to have a main wiring harness that’s purpose designed to not allow normal on / off function. I even swapped out the handle bar switch for another, still no change. So to change an E4 bike to normal on / off function would appear require interfering with the bikes wiring (something I’m certainly NOT prepared to do).

However... for those worried about the current draw issue, you may consider an LED headlight bulb of the type sold by Paul Goff. I have just fitted these to my ‘68 Bonnie and ‘74 Cdo and they’re great, really bright with a fraction of the draw of a halogen bulb.

However # 2... Shorai batteries like to have the lights on before trying to start the engine as some current draw helps to warm up the battery. So, for Shorai battery users, the auto on lights function is probably a good thing. As a Shorai battery user myself, I’ll take this as an excuse to leave my headlight as is!
Click to expand...

Can you tell me what the Warm up procedure is? I bought s ‘Skyrich’lithium battery, which by all accounts is a direct replacement for the ‘yuasa YTZ14S’ in my commando. Lithium is lithium so guess it would SPL-T to mine too. Also I’m sure it’s right, but the lithium replacement is substantially smaller than the lead acid. Is that right?
 
Yes it will be physically smaller. There should be instructions with the battery, mine said something like “in cold weather, leave the headlights on for 20-30 seconds before pressing the starter”.

But I think we’re talking colder weather than most of us would normally ride in. Well, me anyway!
 
Easybeaver said:
Can you tell me what the Warm up procedure is? I bought s ‘Skyrich’lithium battery, which by all accounts is a direct replacement for the ‘yuasa YTZ14S’ in my commando. Lithium is lithium so guess it would SPL-T to mine too. Also I’m sure it’s right, but the lithium replacement is substantially smaller than the lead acid. Is that right?
Click to expand...
Chris?

Yes substantially smaller and lighter. Make sure to pack it in nice and tight. My battery says that lights on for a minute or two is sufficient OR first crank is enough to wake the battery up. I go for the first crank and find that the bike usually starts up ok.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Chaps,


However... for those worried about the current draw issue, you may consider an LED headlight bulb of the type sold by Paul Goff. I have just fitted these to my ‘68 Bonnie and ‘74 Cdo and they’re great, really bright with a fraction of the draw of a halogen bulb.
Click to expand...

I am interested how an LED bulb compares to the standard 961 bulb. While fettling my headlamp I replaced the standard bulb with a Philips Race Vision bulb but haven't tried it yet....
 
I put some fancy “30% brighter” halogen bulb in mine too.
So can’t really compare the LEDs I put in my old Cdo and Bonnie to the stock one anymore.

In the shed, the LEDs look brighter and ‘whiter’ than the 30% extra fancy thing.

But I’ve not taken any out for a decent night run to compare yet.
 
I changed rear light and licence plate illumination to LED bulbs because the standard ones frequently broke caused by the vibrations...
 
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Quick query guys I hope you can help.
Took delivery of my naked today, the headlight switch is locked in the on position, and with ignition on engine not running headlight lights up, taillight does not, when engine is started taillight flickers like mad, is this an issue I need to get looked at, both switch and taillight, has anyone experienced this before, and is the taillight only meant to illuminate when the engine is running but not illuminate when off?
 
Headlight switch is fixed in the 'on' position. Tail light flicker sounds like you have a broken filament in the bulb. Should be on when ign switched on same as headlight.
 
MxMartin said:
Headlight switch is fixed in the 'on' position. Tail light flicker sounds like you have a broken filament in the bulb. Should be on when ign switched on same as headlight.
Click to expand...
Thanks, bike got delivered at 5pm and already got an issue by 5.05pm.. il phone rob tomorrow and see what he says
 
Could be the tail light bulb simply turned to the unlocked position and slid out a bit. Happened to me. Give it a push and a twist.
 
Yes, personally I’d check for a loose or blown bulb before calling the factory...
 
richard-7 said:
Full time Headlight override hack

If your headlight switch moves but does nothing to turn off your headlight. Then pull this plug and your switch will work. Some models have their switches pinned. In this case there is a way to remove the pins that I will share if needed.
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Hi Richard,
I removed the plug after removing the pins and the headlights work as they should. However the tail light does not come on at all. I did not start the bike but that should not make any difference. I believe the tail light should come on when the 5V running light and dash light comes on. Have you had the same situation.
Bill
 
961 S said:
Hi Richard,
I removed the plug after removing the pins and the headlights work as they should. However the tail light does not come on at all. I did not start the bike but that should not make any difference. I believe the tail light should come on when the 5V running light and dash light comes on. Have you had the same situation.
Bill
Click to expand...

Sorry Bill. I have not experienced that scenario.
 
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