Kaw OEM Aux driving lights on Vaquero

[jayc]

Has anyone installed these? Any pointers?

[JTJL]

From what my mechanic said they are plug and play. The instructions are very well laid out. Wish I could tell you how much was really involved but I find less frustrating these days to let my mechanic do things beyond oil and filter.

[jayc]

Someone else said the instructions are good. Haven't read them yet (can't open til Christmas). I bought the Shop Manual on CD off ebay, so that should help.

[JTJL]

Yes it will. I found an online pdf and put on a thumb drive for my mechanic. He said it was a help to him specially when he wired my alarm.

[jayc]

Yes it will. I found an online pdf and put on a thumb drive for my mechanic. He said it was a help to him specially when he wired my alarm.

Alarm? I just park net to a Harley if I'm worried about thieves, lol.

[captj3]

I installed mine. The instructions were fine. It is really just time consuming, not really hard. I found that I didn't have to take off the lower fairing, just be careful when removing the upper. Sit at a table and watch some TV and get the lights and bracket assembled before installing the kit. It will save time. The wiring is all plug and play and marked very simple. I found no need to have it installed by someone else, but I'm handy and like tinkering with my toys. Good luck with the install and enjoy the added light at night. It made a big difference for these old eyes.

[jayc]

Like I said, I haven't read the instructions yet, but does it tell you where to install the switch? I don't see any pre cut areas on the fairing.
Oh, nice color Vaq by the way, same one I got, lol.

[JTJL]

LOL park next to Harley huh?? Well I usually do not ride with anyone that owns a Harley as my BIL is in a club that does not allow for such mingling and the guy I ride with the most has a Suzuki. So, can not park next to one... I will keep that in mind though. As for the switch mine was put in the lower left round cut out that is there below the Glove box that has the ipod connector.

[captj3]

Like I said, I haven't read the instructions yet, but does it tell you where to install the switch? I don't see any pre cut areas on the fairing.
Oh, nice color Vaq by the way, same one I got, lol.

You install the switch on the left side of the fairing below the storage box for the Ipod. You will see a black blank plate. It comes off real easy once you have the fairing off. The switch comes with the kit. Also if you want to install the power outlet on the otherside do it when you install the kit as you have the fairing off already. It's not a expensive part and it to is plug and play when you use the kawai part.

Thanks for the compliment. The looks have changed a little since that picture.

[jayc]

Yes, I ordered the 12volt plug. Figured while I have it apart, might as well install it.

[jayc]

When I ride with my Harley buddies, I tell them, I'll bring up the rear, so when they break down I can give them a ride, usually shuts them up.

[Boscoe]

When I ride with my Harley buddies, I tell them, I'll bring up the rear, so when they break down I can give them a ride, usually shuts them up.

Be careful of all the dropped parts and oil puddles that clutter the roadway when you do that.

[Snake Ranch]

I bought the OEM light kit and the instructions directed me to remove the faring front. After I got this done I could see an easier way. Remove the speakers and the small storage compartments. You can find the necessary wire connections and mounting for the lights. IMHO I think it is less work. You need access to the light mounting for adjustments if you don't get it right when the faring is sitting on your counter.

Also if you have not worked with these type of lights don't touch them with your skin, keeps the oils off the glass.

I rode with the stock bulbs for a while then installed 35w HID lights for the driving light, and a 55w head light from DDM tuning. Way better than the stock light bulbs. Like a 747 landing.

Good luck

[jayc]

Are you able to remove the louvers by just the speaker way of mounting?

[captj3]

I bought the OEM light kit and the instructions directed me to remove the faring front. After I got this done I could see an easier way. Remove the speakers and the small storage compartments. You can find the necessary wire connections and mounting for the lights. IMHO I think it is less work. You need access to the light mounting for adjustments if you don't get it right when the faring is sitting on your counter.

Also if you have not worked with these type of lights don't touch them with your skin, keeps the oils off the glass.

I rode with the stock bulbs for a while then installed 35w HID lights for the driving light, and a 55w head light from DDM tuning. Way better than the stock light bulbs. Like a 747 landing.

Good luck

Are you talking about installing the light kit through the storage compartments? If so I would like to see how you got the light assemblies through there and mounted. Or are you talking about the power outlet, that I can see installing that way.

[GC1218]

Snake Ranch I would love some more info on the HID's. I love riding at night but the lights on the Vaquero leave a lot to be desired. After Christmas I'm going to order the factory driving lights and it sure would be easier to do everything at once. Did you have to cut and splice or was it all plug and play, how much did they run you if you don't mind me asking and was it worth the investment?

[Snake Ranch]

Are you talking about installing the light kit through the storage compartments? If so I would like to see how you got the light assemblies through there and mounted. Or are you talking about the power outlet, that I can see installing that way.

You got me to thinking. The power connections for the light switch are below the left storage compartment. The DC power connections are below the right storage compartment.

I was referring to removing the speakers for access to the light locations. I have not actually installed the lights from the back side, as I removed the front part of the faring as the directions instructed. I am going to see if I can get the louvers to pass through the holes. I still have them. It was my impression they would when I had the speakers out. I thought I could have saved some work. I will get back with my findings.

[Snake Ranch]

Snake Ranch I would love some more info on the HID's. I love riding at night but the lights on the Vaquero leave a lot to be desired. After Christmas I'm going to order the factory driving lights and it sure would be easier to do everything at once. Did you have to cut and splice or was it all plug and play, how much did they run you if you don't mind me asking and was it worth the investment?

Installing the HID lights was Plug & Play. BUT there are some things to watch out for. One of the other members on the form had intermittent problems getting his lights to start. After he returned them he thought the main problem was a bad ground connection. There is a location on the right side of the frame close the front. It is a boss that is welded to the frame. I took a tap and cleaned the paint from the threads, and sanded the face of the boss. I wanted bear metal for the connection points. I will take some pictures and post to show how and where I placed the ballasts. The head light will not come on till the engine is started. The driving light plugs can be wired either way, but will only work one way. There is a polarity for these wires. These lights will come on by turning on the key.

The cost was about a $100. I will get back to you on that price. I need to get in to my wife's files to confirm exact amount.

YES, THEY ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY.

[captj3]

You got me to thinking. The power connections for the light switch are below the left storage compartment. The DC power connections are below the right storage compartment.

I was referring to removing the speakers for access to the light locations. I have not actually installed the lights from the back side, as I removed the front part of the faring as the directions instructed. I am going to see if I can get the louvers to pass through the holes. I still have them. It was my impression they would when I had the speakers out. I thought I could have saved some work. I will get back with my findings.

I wouldn't waste my time trying to install the kit from the front.It is so much easier to remove the fairing. I also found that when I installed the kit to set the aim of the lights in the middle before putting the fairing back. It worked out to be aimed perfectly for me.

[jayc]

Thanks for all the input. This forum is great for that. I will probably be doing the install Thursday or Friday.

[HeyJoe]

You will absolutely love the auxiliary lights after installing. You'll be much more visible to drivers and they cast a large arc so visibility at night is very good (so long as you don't overdrive them).

[jayc]

Just one more question, some people say it's not necessary to remove the lower (radiator) fairing. Is this true?

[JTJL]

No Need to remove lower.

[captj3]

Just one more question, some people say it's not necessary to remove the lower (radiator) fairing. Is this true?

Yes it is true. Just be careful when r/r the upper you can scratch them. It sounds like you have everything under control. Good luck with the install.:tup:

[Snake Ranch]

Are you able to remove the louvers by just the speaker way of mounting?

YES. I went so far and removed my lights by just removing the speaker and storage compartment. I did this just to make sure I was not misleading you. I took the backing plate for the louvers and passed it through the speaker hole. The mounting brackets after they are put together will pass through the storage compartment hole. The light will come in from the front, and the louvers are removed from the front.

As Captj3 recommended, Sit down, read the assembly instructions, sort the parts for right and left. My scoot is a 2011. So I don't know if yours is any different, but you can do this without removing the wind shield, side case bars, and whatever else they tell you to remove. You will need to remove the speaker cover either way. There is a bolt under the cover that needs to be removed to pull the front part of the faring. Or you can remove 4 speaker screws and 3 storage compartment screws and you are in.

[Snake Ranch]

Are you talking about installing the light kit through the storage compartments? If so I would like to see how you got the light assemblies through there and mounted. Or are you talking about the power outlet, that I can see installing that way.

No the whole assemble will not pass through the speaker or storage compartment hole. The bracket assembly will pass through the storage compartment hole (from the back side) and the light will come in from the front. I pulled my light apart in the faring and removed them. The louver backing plate passed through the speaker so it can be removed as well.

[jayc]

ok, all installed and only one mishap. I decided to do the rad cowl removal route, and, when re installing, one of the quick riviets pin fell inside the frame. like 2-3 bucks each. so, now, I adjusted them the way the instructions state, but, if they do need further adjustment, what's the routine? take the fairing off again, or just remove the speakers and reach inside to adjust.

[Snake Ranch]

ok, all installed and only one mishap. I decided to do the rad cowl removal route, and, when re installing, one of the quick riviets pin fell inside the frame. like 2-3 bucks each. so, now, I adjusted them the way the instructions state, but, if they do need further adjustment, what's the routine? take the fairing off again, or just remove the speakers and reach inside to adjust.

Remove the speakers and adjust em. You can sit on your scoot and do it so your weight is on the seat settling the shocks.

[0vationdave]

I Just received/assembled the Aux lights tonight. The assemblies are all put together and I will be mounting them this weekend, I was wondering about the HID lights someone mentioned here, are those just new bulbs that need to be installed in the OEM housing? Should I just do that before I install the light assemblies?

Thanks

[cford]

I received my lights yesterday, installed without removing fairing within 2 hrs of receiving.
assembled on bench, put brackets in through speaker hole, lights in through front.
connected lights to brackets then screwed light assembly to fairing. very easy. hardest part getting at 2 phillips screws behind fairing bracket.

[Snake Ranch]

I Just received/assembled the Aux lights tonight. The assemblies are all put together and I will be mounting them this weekend, I was wondering about the HID lights someone mentioned here, are those just new bulbs that need to be installed in the OEM housing? Should I just do that before I install the light assemblies?

Thanks

Dave
You might try installing the lights before you mount the light housings in the faring. They come with some flat little viton type seals if I remember correctly and I had a problem with the thickness. If I remember correctly, one was a little loose, and I didn't want it to tight as I was having to twist it to hard. I tried some different combinations of seals before I was happy and confident it would keep the moisture out. I believe you can see it better and get a better grip to rotate the light into the light housing.
Good luck, you will like them

[0vationdave]

So I just mounted the Kawi driving lights into my Vaquero Fairing, I am a little surprised about the gap between the light housings and the fairing. Its about 1/2" all the way around, I guess I was expecting to see about the same gap that there is around the headlight. seems like a good bug-catcher, just wondered if anyone filled this in with anything to close it up a bit.

Dave

[jayc]

I thought that was kind of weird also. I thought it would have fit flush, like the louvers.

[Snake Ranch]

So I just mounted the Kawi driving lights into my Vaquero Fairing, I am a little surprised about the gap between the light housings and the fairing. Its about 1/2" all the way around, I guess I was expecting to see about the same gap that there is around the headlight. seems like a good bug-catcher, just wondered if anyone filled this in with anything to close it up a bit.

Dave

One thing you might want to keep in mind is these light generate a lot of heat. The air flow over the sides will bleed off the heat. If you let the bike idle to long without moving the light will shut themselves off. I believe they have a thermal protection built in, because as soon as I started moving they come back on. I suspected they cooled off. I know some of the Cree led's have this feature. Just a thought.