Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums banner

"Easy Start" Headlight Control Module?

6K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  grebmrof 
#1 ·
#2 ·
I had tried one of these on an air cooled Bonneville that I had, it worked as advertised, but I found it was a PITA to remember to flip my headlight back on - so I sold it off in the Classifieds here. Not sure it will work on a water cooled Bonneville, but it sure did on the earlier models. It might be a solution in search of a problem with modern bikes.
 
#3 ·
It might be a solution in search of a problem with modern bikes.
I'm with grebmrof. What's the need? Back in the day of points and coils, getting a bike running on a weak battery by disconnecting the headlight may have helped, but with today's ECUs, if the battery ain't up to snuff it's Game Over.

Besides, there's a whole lotta stuff I'd rather spend my money on that this. Thirty bucks buys a lot of gas. Beer. Oil. Road maps. Beer. One-fourth of a wind screen. A good breakfast for two. Beer. Admission to the local track for the Vintage Races. More beer.


OK, that all said, I can see where it could be useful for sneaking down a dirt road to the lakeshore, or going stealth mode, or getting stuck in the Weir's Beach traffic during Laconia Bike Week.
 
#4 ·
It's early days yet...:) but I'd wager we'll have similar starting issues as are apparently endemic on the air-cooled jobs. Probably due to the use of the same battery type (the same old carbed and late EFI one: YTX12-BS) and capacity (10 amp/hour), but larger cylinders and a powerful starter motor (1kw, that's 1.34 hp!).

As time goes by, that relatively tiny battery will need all the help it can get.

It's only a 10 Amp hour battery. Not really enough to take any abuse or neglect. For comparison a single cylinder Suzuki 200 comes with a 9 AH battery, while something like a BMW boxer has 24 Ah, a Moto Guzzi Le Mans 30 Ah, my XV1100 17Ah and so on...These batteries are just too small. Period.
 
#5 ·
As Forchetto points out, the battery installed on this wonder machine is the same old lead-acid 12V, 10AH weakling. They're used because they're small and cheap.

Last Saturday, I stood there watching the computer portion of my 500 mile check being carried out. The bike's ignition switch was on but the engine was not running, and the lights were on the entire time. I wasn't watching how long this check took, but it later it sounded like I barely had enough battery for a start at the end of the procedure. This, on a brand new bike with a healthy battery.

When I install this module (I ordered one) it'll be no problem for me to remember to turn the lights on. Since I always ride in the daylight with the high beam on, I'm in the habit of looking for the blue indicator light before pulling away. The T120 always starts with the headlights on low beam, so flicking the beam switch is already a habit.

Now I wish there was a module where the bike started with the lights off, but the DRL only came on after the start. THAT would be cool!
 
#6 ·
It's a matter of wiring in a relay to the light. When the starter is hit it disconnects power to the light and returns power when you release the starter button. I haven't looked, but does this already happen on them. I'll have a look tonight.
 
#10 · (Edited)
That's probably because on a lot of scooters, sand buggies, quads, etc the lights work off AC, straight from the alternator through an AC regulator so the engine has to be running. The regulator is there to ensure the light intensity doesn't vary with the revs although cheaper scooters don't even bother with one and you can see them dimming at traffic stops.

There's a small DC circuit to work the brake and flasher lights, charge the battery for starting and other small electrical services.
 
#12 ·
According to post #7 above this is already happening...hmm, well actually the headlight goes out momentarily with the push of the starter button, the DRL comes on (none to brightly, I think) and with the start of the motor, the headlight comes to low beam w/ the DRL on - at least in the US, Canada & Japan I would guess.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top