Parking Light Mods

[moonmandave]

Hello! Bare with me because not only am I a new Buell (2006 XB12Ss) rider, but I am about as electrically inclined as a giraffe. One may think that trying to immediately tackle a task like this would show an iron clad lack of judgment and intelligence. But anyway, here's the goal:

1.) I would like to install Halo's into the headlights. These Halos to be exact: http://www.automotivelightstore.com/xb9s.aspx
2.) I would like that only the halos are activated (in both headlights) when the parking light is turned on. (The halo's will be yellow, so they would be pointless to operate with the much brighter running lights. Plus I live on a military base, and MOST modifications done to a bike while it's running will have you all but tazed by the overzealous gate guards)

Advanced Options:
a. Is it possible that if I were to install a yellow LED under-glow kit in the future, would I be able to wire it into the same circuit, so that it turns on while the parking light is on, but goes off while I'm riding. (Again to avoid the tazer.)
b. If I were able to do this, would that eliminate the ability to modify the lights so that both stay engaged when the high beams are on?

if anybody here may be able to solve this seemingly impossible feat of electrical engineering, would you be able to provide completely idiot proof directions on how to do this? Like most Marines, my reading level hasn't much advanced beyond the third grade, so the lesser amount of syllables and letters per word, the better!

If I still can't quite grasp it, does anyone recommend against taking it to a Harley service station? I have a feeling that between the sheer name brand alone, and my complete absence of electronic skills, I'll get taken for a ride.

Thanks gentlemen!!null

 

[Sirius815]

Welcome MoonmanDave!

It would be easier to just wire everything to one or two switches so that you can manually control when to turn everything on and off, since you want them running only with the parking lights and not while riding.

There are other possibilities, but that one is the cheapest and simplest without getting involved in a ton of circuitry.

Ben K.

 

[trickytxn]

Welcome MoonmanDave, I'm kind of new to the site as well and not to great with circuitry, but through trial and a lot of blown fuses, I've managed to wire mine up without using the parking light switch. I have a toggle switch under the seat wired into my fuse box (RED wire going from battery fuse terminal to toggle switch).

The negative terminals (on my LED strips they are solid BLACK) have to be grounded to the subframe. I chose the screw where the harness close to the positive battery cable sits, since they were grounded there.

Then all the positive wires (STRIPED in my case) are plugged in to the toggle switch as well.

I located my toggle switch just above my rear brake reservoir so that it's hidden but easily accessible. I've got the LEDs mounted to the inside of the frame at the lowest point just above my scoops.

I've also wired the Halos up the same in this circuit. But I have one out at the moment to replace a defective part.

And last, I bought the XBlights.com integrated taillight with blinkers, but my girlfriend said she couldn't see my blinkers at all until she was close, especially with the brake applied. I wanted to keep a tidy tail but still be safe especially on base(I too am military). So I wired amber 12" LED strips to the blinker terminals and they are plenty bright enough that she could see me a good distance.

I hope this was helpful and though I haven't been a member too long, I've owned the bike for about two years now and everyone on this site is very knowledgeable and helpful and that makes it a pleasure owning a piece of American motorcycle history!

 

[wolfo68]

It can be done either way, I would personally run it on switches and mount the switch on the front of the undertray like shown.

Aside from that, I'm going to call you moon moon.

 

[chevy42083]

My switch is a toggle switch ~4 inches in front of his.... mine points straight down and can be used with gloves by reaching under my thigh while riding.

As far as running/parking lights, but NOT on while riding... the parking light up front IS on while riding, you just can't see it over the headlights. So that idea won't work unless you ALSO use a toggle like above. The benefit this has over just the toggle is that you can't accidently leave them on. However... you can't leave them on, on purpose, either... unless you want to leave the key in.

I've wanted to swap this parking bulb for red, but afraid the high beam (while off) will be lit red. Even considered using a more white/blue headlight bulb to counter the red. Maybe I'll try orange first and see how visible that little bulb is, since orange is perfectly legal.

Mine are straight battery to toggle to lights.... so I can run them and take the keys with me. Some guys want to leave them on for visibility while parking on a street, parking lot, or to look cool parked out front at dinner. I technically should have a relay... don't remember if I do, previous owner installed. I'm running ~5 or 6 12inch strips of LEDs in the tank cover and air scoops.

Fuse is a definite need, closest to battery possible. This is so if you pinch a wire and short it out, or if the lights draw too much power, you don't over heat the wire and burst into flames. You may rub a spot raw somewhere, then it gets wet. Too many scenarios to not use a fuse.

Relay... so you don't draw too much current through a switch only intended for light duty. This will depend on what switch you use, and whether you want to "add whatever you feel like later". The Relay is basically a higher wattage electronic switch... activated by a lower wattage mechanical switch.


Just for kicks, heres mine...
This is parking lots and LEDs... parking light in headlight is on

 

[moonmandave]

Wow! Thanks guys. Some very cool stuff here. If the toggle switch is recommended, I may just do that. My main concern is that I didn't want to leave open the possibility of forgetting my lights being on when I walked away. I suppose reading the instructions that would come with the Halos may not be a bad idea at all either...

My misfortune right now is having a bike (which I've never even sat on), waiting for me at home, while I wait out the last few weeks of this Japan tour. I imagine things will come much easier once I'm actually able to get my hands on the bike and prod a round a little.

What size fuze would you recommend for any under-glow LEDs? I had a kit on my old SV650, but I also wired that like crap and without a fuze, so they didn't last long. Neither did the battery.

Those scoops you have on your bike are sick, Chevy!

Wolfo, I like the name! Moon Man Dave is the name of my (for a lack of a much, much lesser meaning word) brewery. I homebrew my own beer. Maybe after I get back in the states and start brewing again, I could crack a few open with any of you guys who happen to come through Arizona!

 

[Saftie]

good luck with these Halos.. i bought them and they snapped when i tried to put them into my headlights back then. maybe i missed something but they did not fit / could not be bent and I lost a lot of money for nothing.

 

[wolfo68]

I've honestly never had my LEDs run with a fuse unless I ran them through the fuse box to turn on with the bike (I used the tail light fuse I believe), but I never had an issue with them burning out.

 

[chevy42083]

GENERALLY... LEDs won't draw enough to pop a fuse, no matter how many you add. But when there there is a problem, you want the fuse to blow, not melt the wire and start a fire.

 

[moonmandave]

Got it. Anybody know the diameter of the stock headlights for a 2006 Lightning?

 

[moonmandave]

Aaaaaaaaannnndddd while I'm at it, does anyone know of any projector mods for the lights that fit in the standard housings? I've seen a few Lightnings with just projectors, rather than the stock lights, but I personally don't dig the style much.

I think that wraps up all my questions. I hope.