Time delay circuit for headlight

[mp183]

It should not be very hard to make for someone involved in electrornics.
This should be a big help in helping with cold weather starts or when the battery starts to feel it's age.  If one can't be built I'm putting in an emergency switch to kill the light when I have starting problems.  My first battery lasted 18 months.  Died in Manhattan.  Had to jumpstart from a Ford Explorer with makeshift jumper cables made from phone wire.

[Cal Price]

Does the U.S. spec model not have a simple off-on switch? like a Volvo car? light always on? I always ride with a dipped headlight but not being able to switch off seems well over-the-top or is it a legislation thing?

[pantablo]

US legislation.
headlights always on. rider controls whether its dipped or not only (high beam or low).

[mjm]

Does the U.S. spec model not have a simple off-on switch? like a Volvo car? light always on? I always ride with a dipped headlight but not being able to switch off seems well over-the-top or is it a legislation thing?

As I recall the US started requiring "always-on" headlights beginning with the 1980 model year.  My 1980 GS450 had the switch - but its operation was blocked by a metal tab in the housing.  It was simple enough to break off the tab and make functional.  My 2001 GS500 does not have the switch - although it does look like the mounting point for the switch is there if I break out a tab - may have to check to see if the wires are there as well!

[Cal Price]

I've answered my own question by looking at pix on Kerry's site, no switch. On the UK spec bike there is a three position switch operated by right thumb between the starter button and the red emergency stop switch. Weird Weird, possibly you could get a new switch from a European dealership outlet?? Three positions are sidelight (like the parking light on ignition) headlight and OFF.

[Cal Price]

Try this,

www.bikebreakers.info

It's a fair bet that the wiring is already in the same place.

[Cal Price]

Or this as the one above has a minimum price

www.motorcycle.co.uk

or

www.sparesdirect.co.uk

[Rema1000]

I've thought that this could be fixed by adding a second relay on the headlight lead: a normally-closed relay, activated by the starter switch.  When the starter switch is applied, then the headlight would be off.  As soon as the starter is released, the headlight is back on.

Seems like this could even be manufactured-in, as it should be OK with US regulations:  if you're trying the starter while riding, you've got bigger problems to deal with!

[The Buddha]

Oh yea such a device is legal and does exist... its called a kawasaki.
Cool.
Srinath.

[JamesG]

The starter uses so many more amps that the headlight that its really not worth the effort to jury rig some kinda switch. If your battery falls so flat that it *might* turn the starter without the lights, then its a goner or you have bigger problems.
There are a couple of other solutions:
A)If you have to crank and crank and crank and... make sure you turn the ignition to "off" to cut the electrical system off between attempts.
B)Waiting 10 minutes or so, when the battery seems toast, can give you another one last try.
C)Learn to bump start. No battery needed.