Short version:
How can I wire a switch in to the loom to disable the headlight if needed?
Longer version:
So late last night I decided to go and do some more practicing my slow work (tight slow turns, u-turns, figure 8s, practicing emergency (https://www.youtube.com/c/MotoJitsu/videos) stops with my new awesome front brakes...etc) to gain more confidence and scrub my new tyres [video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=219yH_u-F6A)] in a vacant car park. Along come the f(ine) police officers and pull up next to me and asked what I was doing.
I saw them coming, thought "here we go" but had stopped and switched off the bike as they approached, removed my helmet. I smiled and asked (don't do this at home kids) "what does it look like I'm doing?" - not in a cheeky but surprised way with a bit of a chuckle at the end. They said, "burnouts, hooning"...lol I replied "can you see any tyre marks or smell any smoke? Smell and look at my brand new tyres if you like. You'll see I have all my nipples". They sat in the car with it idling and just talked to me through the window so I knew they weren't angry or anything and they didn't look angry. They weren't amused either though and asked again "so what are you doing here?". "Practicing to become a better rider" I said and I caught the passenger officer smile. "Am I not allowed to be here?" I asked. They said "not really, it's a private car park and with your lights flashing around and it looked like you were hooning". Yeah, to Karen maybe. :rolleyes:
It was a gigantic car park in a massive shopping centre so I'm guessing a security guard or a Karen reported me as suspicious and hooning or something. They were pretty cool about it and if I read their eyebrows correctly they were a bit impressed that I was even practicing. After a license and name check and 15 minutes waiting they said "ok you check out but turn your high beams off so it doesn't flash the passing cars (the roads were a ghost town) and if the guard asks you to leave you have to leave. I said "roger, understood". Didn't want to push the cheek by arguing my high beams weren't on so I left it alone.
So, first off, I'll check and adjust my headlight (I wasn't using my high beams) but is there a way to bypass the "always on" headlight? This is a good example of my needing to ride without a headlight and to be honest it's a bit "nanny" for the authorities to insist on my lights being on all the time no matter what. I do ride with the light on as the safety aspects are obvious but I'd like to also have the ability to turn them off if I want. I'm not super scared of electrickery and I imagine there's a switch involved and maybe a relay but that's about the extent of my knowledge.
:lol:you need your headlight always on in Oz. Otherwise the police will ping you for riding an unroadworthy motorcycle AND hooning. :whistling:
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 09:53 AM
:lol:you need your headlight always on in Oz. Otherwise the police will ping you for riding an unroadworthy motorcycle AND hooning. :whistling:
Yeah but when I'm practicing at night in a car park I'd like to switch them off to prevent this happening again. I don't mind if the switch is in the cargo area under the seat.
I just rang the Vehicle Standards branch (South Australia) and asked the question and they said there's nothing in the code for any year motorcycle that states that a light must be switched on during the day. It must be functional but it doesn't need to be on.
Straight from the horses mouth.
Source:
https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/19153/MR808-Motorcycle-and-Sidecars.pdf
Ph: 1300 882 248
It used to be:
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FOR MOTORCYCLES
Michael Paine
David Paine
Vehicle Design and Research
Jack Haley
National Roads and Motorists Association
Samantha Cockfield
Transport Accident Commission of Victoria
Australia
Abstract ID 05-0178)
In 1992 Australia introduced mandatory "hard-wired"
headlights for motorcycles - low-beam headlights
were required to illuminate whenever the engine was
running. This requirement was rescinded in 1996, due
mainly to pressure from motorcycle lobby groups:
"The Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC) counts
amongst its major achievements... Convincing the
Federal government in 1996 to provide an alternative
to ADR 19/01 (requiring hard wired lights on for
motorcycles) in the form of ADR 19/02 (which does
not require hard wired headlights)" (MCC website)
Quote from: SA14 on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 11:36 AM
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 09:53 AM
:lol:you need your headlight always on in Oz. Otherwise the police will ping you for riding an unroadworthy motorcycle AND hooning. :whistling:
Yeah but when I'm practicing at night in a car park I'd like to switch them off to prevent this happening again. I don't mind if the switch is in the cargo area under the seat.
I have a push button switch located under the LHS switchgear through a relay to a HID globe the square switch is a neat stealth fit into an existing hole.
So if it was rescinded why do new bikes have always on lights (I think they do anyway).
That police attitude sucks, I have to say. That someone that happens to be in a car park riding MUST be hooning :rolleyes: :doh:
I reckon it would be possible to fit a R/H switchgear from an ealier model Bandit and get the lighting switch to work. It would be in place of the hazard lights flashing switch though.
It would probably be better to do what horse did and fit an extra push button switch.
Quote from: VladTepes on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 04:10 PM
So if it was rescinded why do new bikes have always on lights (I think they do anyway).
That police attitude sucks, I have to say. That someone that happens to be in a car park riding MUST be hooning :rolleyes: :doh:
Still required in the EU (& I think the US) so I doubt they'd want to make a special switch gear for convictshire as that'd increase production costs.
Never found a reason or need to want to turn mine off. Not sure if has to be on by law here. Did find out that fitting LED globe makes my bike illegal. WTF. Easier to be seen daytime, easier for me to see nighttime, thats illegal.
Quote from: SA14 on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 11:36 AM
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 09:53 AM
:lol:you need your headlight always on in Oz. Otherwise the police will ping you for riding an unroadworthy motorcycle AND hooning. :whistling:
Yeah but when I'm practicing at night in a car park I'd like to switch them off to prevent this happening again. I don't mind if the switch is in the cargo area under the seat.
Mick has done this mod :)
@mjgt @SA14
Quote from: horse on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 12:59 PM
I have a push button switch located under the LHS switchgear through a relay to a HID globe the square switch is a neat stealth fit into an existing hole.
That sounds ideal. May I see a pic of the placement of the switch and some (any) specs such as the type and spec of the relay and how I'd wire it up? Or any further info would help.
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 05:31 PM
Mick has done this mod :)
@mjgt @SA14
Awesome, I did a search under a few terms before posting but couldn't find anything. Is there a thread or any info?
Quote from: VladTepes on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 04:10 PM
That police attitude sucks, I have to say. That someone that happens to be in a car park riding MUST be hooning :rolleyes: :doh:
I resisted getting into the politics of it at the time but the force of the urge was strong. I might have been an Aunt Eefa or Bike Lives Matter terrorist or something. These days they're on edge because we're living in clown, muppet and potato head land.
I don't like my lights on so have modified my lights to only come on when I want them to. It's a very easy plug and play module that I make in my shed, one other forum user had one I made and is happy with it.
Quote from: mjgt on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 06:52 PM
I don't like my lights on so have modified my lights to only come on when I want them to. It's a very easy plug and play module that I make in my shed, one other forum user had one I made and is happy with it.
Excellent, if I can get some info on how to do it I'd appreciate it or if you sell a kit or something I'd be interested.
The lights on the K2's in the UK don't come on permanently but the law changed in the Europe in 2002 so the K3's and onward lights are always on if I'm not mistaken. I always keep my on anyway so makes no difference. However, it's easy to forget they are off if you have inadvertently turned them off so unlike SA14 I would be happy if they were on permanently.
I never have a problem remembering to turn my lights on in the car as needed, I can't see it being an issue on a bike either tbh.
I understand what your saying Hooli but I only ride during daylight hours these days. My lights are for the inconsiderate (verging on criminal) drivers who just seem incapable of spotting a bike during daylight hours at a junction or perhaps at all.
It's unfortunately quite easy to forget to turn your lights on in daylight. Never done it in the dark, can't understand how you could forget to do so in the dark 😳😳😳😳
Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.
Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.
Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?
Quote from: VladTepes on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 08:45 AM
Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.
Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.
Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?
from memory, that was the argument that got the law dropped
Quote from: Big Phil on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 01:14 AM
The lights on the K2's in the UK don't come on permanently but the law changed in the Europe in 2002 so the K3's and onward lights are always on if I'm not mistaken. I always keep my on anyway so makes no difference. However, it's easy to forget they are off if you have inadvertently turned them off so unlike SA14 I would be happy if they were on permanently.
Please read my original post big phil for my
clearly stated reasons for wanting to be able to switch my own lights off. Thank you. Do you have any helpful instructions that would help me achieve this mod?
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 05:27 AM
I never have a problem remembering to turn my lights on in the car as needed, I can't see it being an issue on a bike either tbh.
Yeah but it's such a complex task to flick a switch.
Now...back to the
mod at hand.
SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done. Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust. I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.
Quote from: horse on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 09:49 AM
SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done.
Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust.
I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.
Thanks man, that really helps. Just got back from a long ride and saw heaps of older classic bikes without their lights on. It's a nice day in Adelaide today - everyone was out. Even saw another 14.
I'm not that angrily opposed to running my lights on (low beam) during the day but I like the classic look of a "normal" bike riding down the road normally without screaming to the world "LOOK OUT EVERYONE HERE I COME!!". However, my main use for this mod is to be able to practice in peace in a car park at night which is what triggered this whole issue. Had plod left me alone this may not have ever been an issue although having the light off when I'm in the shed is also a bonus.
Gotta have ours on all the time otherwise its a trousers down spanking in the office and a fine :facepalm:
Having watched the Aussie Motorcycle Cops program on TV l would have to say "what a bunch of wankers" they are. Should be called the how to ride like a fuckwit show.
Quote from: SA14 on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 04:08 PM
Quote from: horse on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 09:49 AM
SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done.
Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust.
I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.
Thanks man, that really helps. Just got back from a long ride and saw heaps of older classic bikes without their lights on. It's a nice day in Adelaide today - everyone was out. Even saw another 14.
I'm not that angrily opposed to running my lights on (low beam) during the day but I like the classic look of a "normal" bike riding down the road normally without screaming to the world "LOOK OUT EVERYONE HERE I COME!!". However, my main use for this mod is to be able to practice in peace in a car park at night which is what triggered this whole issue. Had plod left me alone this may not have ever been an issue although having the light off when I'm in the shed is also a bonus.
TBH, if it's just for car parks like that then just pull the fuse. Lo-beam has it's own 10amp fuse, I can't recall which in the fusebox but it's labelled inside the lid. You only need to pop the LH sidecover off to get to the fusebox.
Just make up headlight cover, easier again.
Quote from: VladTepes on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 08:45 AM
Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.
Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.
Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?
Yes, it was used during the war by fitting spotlights onto the wings of fighters, if they attacked out of the sun they were virtually invisible. The bad boys heard them long before they were shot at but couldn't see them.
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 05:21 PM
TBH, if it's just for car parks like that then just pull the fuse. Lo-beam has it's own 10amp fuse, I can't recall which in the fusebox but it's labelled inside the lid. You only need to pop the LH sidecover off to get to the fusebox.
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 05:49 PM
Just make up headlight cover, easier again.
Thanks, both are excellent real solutions. At least until I get a proper manual switch sorted.
Sorry SA14 I wasn't really responding to your night time car park practicing problem. I was just stating I would prefer my lights to be on all the time from a personal safety perspective. I apologise if I caused you any offence my friend, it certainly wasn't my intention.
Ever since I started riding street bikes, they have always had no option to turn headlight off. So in the same vein as compulsory helmet wearing I see it as normal after 40+ years riding. It does give the car drivers an indication you're travelling towards them I guess. :wheelie: :wheelie:
Quote from: grog on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 05:28 PM
Did find out that fitting LED globe makes my bike illegal.
Bugger, after reading that......I just found out that mine is illegal too!
Why are they illegal? too bright?
I think the need to be self leveling,or at least they did on cars, but maybe that is an old law
Quote from: KiwiCol on Sunday, 20 September 2020, 12:31 PM
Why are they illegal? too bright?
Both Led and HID globes have a different focal length to a halogen globe consequently to be ADR compliant they would have to go through the same certification as the original light unit , Leds and Hid have different lens/reflector combinations to get the light focussed to be safe for oncoming vehicles and adequate driver lighting range. So most/ all of the aftermarket globes HID and LED have a disclaimer saying for off road use only,
Oh well, bulb swapping time before a test. We have to have ours done every year, how about you Aussies?
Quote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 21 September 2020, 02:25 PM
Oh well, bulb swapping time before a test. We have to have ours done every year, how about you Aussies?
No ongoing yearly tests in South Australia. There's a chassis number (and basics inspection for obvious defects) for vehicles purchased interstate. If they spot something they'll send it for a full roadworthy inspection though and of course plod can point his finger and send you for an inspection but no, no yearly tests down here. I think some of the other states have yearly inspections though.
Quote from: horse on Monday, 21 September 2020, 01:25 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Sunday, 20 September 2020, 12:31 PM
Why are they illegal? too bright?
Both Led and HID globes have a different focal length to a halogen globe consequently to be ADR compliant they would have to go through the same certification as the original light unit , Leds and Hid have different lens/reflector combinations to get the light focussed to be safe for oncoming vehicles and adequate driver lighting range. So most/ all of the aftermarket globes HID and LED have a disclaimer saying for off road use only,
Thats why I swapped the entire lamp unit with the Stedi iris 7". Compliant focal length etc. ADR compliant so they say....https://www.stedi.com.au/stedi-7-inch-led-headlight.html