Electrical query....
Thread Starter
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Electrical query....
I do most if not all of my own wrenching on everything short of the motor...
But I'm a wiring spazwad and if it isnt something thats already there I'm easily stumped.
This sounds silly but...
I'm replacing my exsisting headlight with another aftermarket unit.
My exsisting headlight is a 3 wire setup which must have something to do with the high and lo beam I'm assuming?
My new headlight only has two wires. Is this now a no high beam headlamp and if so do I simply not attach one of the wires?
I figgered to check the exsisting wires and see which is powered and when according to the postion of the hi-lo switch but now I'm unsure and would like to wire the light where its not on 24-7?
Is that 3rd wire for the hi-lo is that for the always on daytime running light deal?
Man I'm an idiot with wiring!!
But I'm a wiring spazwad and if it isnt something thats already there I'm easily stumped.
This sounds silly but...
I'm replacing my exsisting headlight with another aftermarket unit.
My exsisting headlight is a 3 wire setup which must have something to do with the high and lo beam I'm assuming?
My new headlight only has two wires. Is this now a no high beam headlamp and if so do I simply not attach one of the wires?
I figgered to check the exsisting wires and see which is powered and when according to the postion of the hi-lo switch but now I'm unsure and would like to wire the light where its not on 24-7?
Is that 3rd wire for the hi-lo is that for the always on daytime running light deal?
Man I'm an idiot with wiring!!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: North East, Florida
You have to look at the bulb to tell if its duel (low / High) beam. If it has 2 elements its low and high. Your stock light has 3 wires low, high and a ground wire. Its my guess that your new light has 2 wires for low and high beam and probably grounds through the fixture. If you have a simple ohm meter you could confirm this. Really hard to say without seeing the light.
If I'm right it would be the ground wire to eliminate.
If I'm right it would be the ground wire to eliminate.
Thread Starter
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Really? I have seen lots of custom bikes running around without daytime running lights and my 2008 KTM which is technically a dirt bike but has the euro lighting kit isnt 24/7 lit and I have never been pulled over or even given a second look....Cept fer' the time I wheelied through an intersection on the right side during rush hour!!
Needless to say what the deal on the 2 wire Vs' 3 wire setup. Is the 2 wire not gonna have hi-lo or daytime runners?
Its not a big deal as i would probably run the headlight during the day anyway I just dont really get wiring and dunno what I'm looking at losing?
Needless to say what the deal on the 2 wire Vs' 3 wire setup. Is the 2 wire not gonna have hi-lo or daytime runners?
Its not a big deal as i would probably run the headlight during the day anyway I just dont really get wiring and dunno what I'm looking at losing?
Thread Starter
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
You have to look at the bulb to tell if its duel (low / High) beam. If it has 2 elements its low and high. Your stock light has 3 wires low, high and a ground wire. Its my guess that your new light has 2 wires for low and high beam and probably grounds through the fixture. If you have a simple ohm meter you could confirm this. Really hard to say without seeing the light.
If I'm right it would be the ground wire to eliminate.
If I'm right it would be the ground wire to eliminate.
It is in fact a High Low setup with the multiple piece element.
So I'll just run the yellow to the yellow and the white to the red and eliminate the black...
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Fairhope, Alabama
The 3 wires on your bike are Hi, Low, Ground. The new headlight probably has 2 wires because it is grounded through its connection to the frame. Not sure which headlight you bought, but here is a link to a thread from a while back...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ring-tips.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ring-tips.html
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Thread Starter
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
The 3 wires on your bike are Hi, Low, Ground. The new headlight probably has 2 wires because it is grounded through its connection to the frame. Not sure which headlight you bought, but here is a link to a thread from a while back...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ring-tips.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ring-tips.html
Thanks.
Red to yellow.
Yellow to white.
Harrumph!
I have the same light as you cept fer it has that little spiky tip.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: North East, Florida
Yes, yellow is high beam on a Harley and probably on your new light,The black is ground. You could either tape off the black and let the new light get its ground through the mounting bolt or if that ground is questionable, crimp a eyelet to the end of the wire and slip it over the mounting bolt before you tighten the nut down.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 6
From: Pasadena, TX
agapsdiver is correct. Somewhere around 1975, it became mandantory for all motorcycles manufactured after that date to have daytime running lights.