SuzukiSavage.com - Headlight Cut Off Switch

RidgeRunner13

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Headlight Cut Off Switch
11/03/11 at 13:39:53

I thought some of you who have gone to a smaller battery might like this, although it would be nice for any bike.

I got tired of watching my headlight drain my battery when attempting to start so I drilled a hole in the headlight housing & installed a toggle switch with a rubber cover. I then cut the black/white stripe ground wire & extended the wires to reach the switch. Now in the morning for that first cold start I reach up & flip it off & have that much more power for the ignition & starter. Just be sure to turn it back on since headlights on is the law. Cool

I first used this trick on my RD-350 because I would run for it if I was near the city limits & a cop got after me. Also had a switch for the taillight for the same reason. Didn't need it for the starter since I WAS the starter. Grin

I wasn't always the angel I am now. Roll Eyes

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jef.savage Serious Thumper Offline ridin' n slidin' Posts: 638 Boston, MA Gender:	Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch Reply #1 - 11/03/11 at 16:00:22 That was one of the last mods I did before I sold my Savage. I used a lighted switch so I saw a bright red light when the headlight was turned off.
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spacepirates

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Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch
Reply #2 - 11/04/11 at 10:27:07

My 1978 XS750 has this built in. It needs everything it can get out of the battery to start the sucker, so it won't turn on the headlight until the bike is running, but it does it all auto-magically.

If wiring wasn't a pain in the neck, you could have the switch kill power to all external lights (signals, running lights, headlight tail light) leaving the neutral and speedo lights enabled.

How did you weather proof the switch? I'd be worried about water getting in unless I sealed the crap out of it.

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Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

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RidgeRunner13 Serious Thumper Offline haulin' the groceries! Posts: 649 Mustang Island, Texas Gender:	Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch Reply #3 - 11/04/11 at 12:50:58 They make rubber boots that replace the retaining nut & seal around the toggle. Available at Ace hardware or any boating supply store.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28770 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch Reply #4 - 11/04/11 at 13:02:52 I've been looking at getting a time delay relay specifically for the HID headlight. There's one for 10 sec. but that's not enough time to even get it in neutral. and there's one that's adjustable up to 30 sec.
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thumperclone

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Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch
Reply #5 - 11/04/11 at 15:35:02

verslagen1 wrote on 11/04/11 at 13:02:52:

I've been looking at getting a time delay relay specifically for the HID headlight.

There's one for 10 sec. but that's not enough time to even get it in neutral.
and there's one that's adjustable up to 30 sec.

time delay relays come in many timed on and or timed off, even adjustable styles..
ckeck with grainger..
size may be an issue..

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28770 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch Reply #6 - 11/04/11 at 17:07:59 found this already... http://www.ebay.com/itm/140383778346?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m...
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 5820 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch Reply #7 - 11/04/11 at 19:14:06 can understand your set up with an hid head lamp.. my 06 has a hl cut off at start, as the de comp kicks in so what is the advantage to a seperate toggle unless the older models have no cut out ckt??? ps what is the full intenisty time lag on your hid??
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Routy

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Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch
Reply #8 - 11/05/11 at 06:35:30

thumperclone wrote on 11/04/11 at 19:14:06:

can understand your set up with an hid head lamp..
my 06 has a hl cut off at start, as the de comp kicks in
so what is the advantage to a seperate toggle unless the older models have no cut out ckt???

ps
what is the full intenisty time lag on your hid??

Yep, the older bikes don't have the headlite cutout when starting.

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Rich
'07 S40 Blvd stocker, except drilled OEM exhaust and white spacer mod...1/2 (.055)

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verslagen1

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Re: Headlight Cut Off Switch
Reply #9 - 11/05/11 at 09:52:19

thumperclone wrote on 11/04/11 at 19:14:06:

can understand your set up with an hid head lamp..
ps
what is the full intenisty time lag on your hid??

A lot of times I forget it and well be going down the superslab w/o the hid on (when you start up, the low voltage kills it). I'll be behind a car checking the reflection for a sunspot Cool

It flashes then is dim and will come up to full brightness w/in a few seconds, I'd say 5 to 10.

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