Splicing into the headlight under the seat

[rlfaubion]

Can anyone tell me how to find the wire that is the headlight wire but located under the seat? I want to tie some running lights into this location, but I see spagetti.

Thanks for your help,

but wait there's more! As a bonus I'm going to tell you something about tires (your favorite). I've been running a 60 profile Metzler 880, and it's gone after something over 13,500 miles. Stock has a 70 profile which is .47 inches higher. I wanted to get down some, but I found riding two-up with luggage I was dragging my pipes before my boards in a fairly hard turn. So I'm going back to the 70 for the clearance. FYI

PS my wife and I weigh 280lbs together, but she does bring a lot of shoes and crap.

[audiogooroo]

Not sure about headlight, but I know the red wire in
the harness on top of your rear fender is the running light wire, blue is
brake lights. Turn signals are gray and green, and of course the black/yellow is ground.

[rlfaubion]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Not sure about headlight, but I know the red wire in
the harness on top of your rear fender is the running light wire, blue is
brake lights. Turn signals are gray and green, and of course the black/yellow is ground.

Thanks Daryl, I found the red was hot, but I'm hoping to find the headlight wire so my running lights don't come on until the bike is started like the headlight does. (it may not even exist there for all I know). I have my spots wired into the bucket that way, but I would rather run the wires from these running lights under the frame, up and back under the seat, as the bullet lights hang off my engine guards (fall down bars)... Hey, hope this finds you doing well..... )

When I had the 150 rear I used to drag my pipes. Not so with the 160 rear.

As for the wire, I'd tap the tail light as if you tap the headlight they'll only work with either the high or low beam but not both without an isolator device.

[ells]

I've been running the 160 880 also, and my wife and I weigh, err, more than 280 lbs plus she has a lot of stuff too, but never dragged the tail pipe. Do have about 40 psi in the shocks. I do plan to switch to the 180 radial next time around for more contact and slightly higher load factor.

Don't know about the headlight wire. I have tapped into the brake and it is blue so eliminate that one.

[macmac]

Is the plan to have 1 set of running lamps and add another set as well? What else is addon and electrical?

I have one set running 55 watts each, and these drop charging voltage to middle 13's. Mine are switched to be on any time, engine off even, with the ignition locked and the key in my pocket.

I am not sure running 4 passing lamps all the time is a good idea, and more so if you have other acc's... of course you might have far less watts, in which case you can probably do it.

I have a older yammi 81 vintage and it has 2 passing lamps with E-3 Wagner 35 watts each halogens. I must monitor these with a voltmeter, or they will drain the battery just waiting for a red light.. A nomad would run 4 of those all day and never miss a beat.

[rlfaubion]

Originally Posted by macmac

Is the plan to have 1 set of running lamps and add another set as well? What else is addon and electrical?

I have one set running 55 watts each, and these drop charging voltage to middle 13's. Mine are switched to be on any time, engine off even, with the ignition locked and the key in my pocket.

I am not sure running 4 passing lamps all the time is a good idea, and more so if you have other acc's... of course you might have far less watts, in which case you can probably do it.

I have a older yammi 81 vintage and it has 2 passing lamps with E-3 Wagner 35 watts each halogens. I must monitor these with a voltmeter, or they will drain the battery just waiting for a red light.. A nomad would run 4 of those all day and never miss a beat.

Yes, I plan on running 4 extra lamps. Presently, I have the spots beside the headlamp, wired into the headlight bucket now and they come on when the engine fires like the headlight does. I think they are 35W each.

I'm adding two bullet lights 50W each. I will adding a relay to the circuit. These will be mounted on the crash bars. I want to run all lights simultaneously off the engine. I don't want them to come on with just the ignition on but the engine not running.

Hence, I'd like to find a wire to the headlight, but under the seat instead of inside the headlight bucket.

Other than that I am running four tailights at the same time when ignition is on and/or engine running.

Occasionally (night only) I switch on 110 LED's, which are engine accent lights.

Thanks

[audiogooroo]

Well, since you know where the circuit is in the headlight bucket you should be able to locate the other end with a tester.

[rlfaubion]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Well, since you know where the circuit is in the headlight bucket you should be able to locate the other end with a tester.

I don't remember the wire colors, and some are very difficult to reach. Some of our Mequite attendees saw under my seat and can attest to how crowded it is.

Anyone remember the color code for that headlight?

[Yellow Jacket]

The wire you want is the blue with yellow stripe wire going into joint connector 2. This is a 14 pin connector and has a wire connected in each position. (Joint connector 1 also is a 14 pin connector but only has 12 wires connected to it.) This is a switched wire which provides the power to the dimmer switch which in turn powers the low beam or the high beam of the headlight. Since you want to run several lights I would suggest that you tap into this wire and use it to activate a relay which in turn would power the extra lights. That way, you won't add a lot of extra current on the existing headlamp circuit.

Crowded? I thought you were tryin' to cook spaghetti by hookin' it up to the battery.

[macmac]

Bob (Kodiak) has it right..... There is a recent thread on the Vista Cruise throttle lock, and I added a photo to show mine, but it also shows a volt meter I mounted on the wind screen. You just might wat one.

I keep my bike on a tender, so I leave the voltmeter pluged in all the time. The socket is a simple ciggy butt lighter that can run any 12 volt item. I could use it to charge the bike if I wanted, or run a cell phone except I refuse to even consider owning such trash.
My wife has one and I never use it.

[rlfaubion]

Thanks Bob - it's all coming back to me now and is clear as mud.... Blue w/yellow.... I'll look for that...... Hey Cadd I knew someone saw under the seat when I needed a jump. I have cleaned it up some since them.... I'm get'n a little less lazy now..... thank you too Mac, I appreciate all your responses. Thanks to all!

Got that new 880 back on today.... Man I had some weird wear outta the one removed...but that's another thread. Thank you again