1/3 of my drive time is at night. I am looking to add extra headlights to my 94 Magna . If you have any suggestions I would like to know them.
Kuryakyn Silver Bullet lights work great for adding extra light at night and look great too.
I have 2 little tiny Kury lights on my Super each are 35 watt halogen bulbs and they are brighter than the headlight LoL.
Here's a thread that covers some of the info:
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=498
I looked at the thread, very interesting. I tried looking and Greg's Super on the member page but could not tell where they are mounted. I am also interested in the mountings and locations. I know you get what you pay for but I am hoping to find something a little cheaper than 90.00 bucks.
Here is how I installed my driving lights on my 2000 Magna.
http://redneckdrifter.bravehost.com/lights.html
I first looked at mounting the lights that low but was concerned of it's inefficiency being that low. How well do they light up at that level?
I am looking at mounting them as high as possible and aiming them down just beyond the main headlamp glow area. I was debating about mounting them to the windshield cross support. I am a little concerned about the look but more concerned about the flexing, vibrating and shifting of the windshield. My cross support is about 4 inches above the top of the speedometer. I was going to try to use the smallest affordable light I can find.
The other night I ran right over a black base to a safety cone on a black road. What a shock it was. :shock: I had to circle back to see what I had hit. :?
Robert, my Super has the little Kuryakyn Silver bullets mounted to the fork tubes with "P" clamps, works pretty good.
I was over at Pep Boys the other night picking up an oil filter for Val and saw a very nice looking set of little driving lights about the size of the Silver Bullets for only $20.00. I may get a set of them and see about mounting them on the fork clamp mounts I have on her now from the old National Cycle sheld that used to be on there. They look like hose clamps with a threaded ear type piece that sticks out the side. I think if I rotate the ear to stck out instead of parallel to the frame the lights will bolt right up.
Kuryakyn Silver Bullet lights are great, I have them on my 94 and love the look and the light
Quote from: bambamKuryakyn Silver Bullet lights are great, I have them on my 94 and love the look and the light
They do look good on yours with that VTX light.
Would a relay be needed or helpful in hooking up driving lights?
Jeff I build a stand alone wire harness just for the extra lights with a rated switch and fuse, dont think one would need a relay in that situation.
I am sure there are plenty here that know WAY more than I when it comes to electrical.
What does a relay do? Is it like a little step up transformer so there's less of a power draw? Enlighten me! :)
I was curious because on my V65 I run a gps and sometimes a video camera(new play toy) and didn't want to overload the electrical system. I had heard that Honda's elec. systems were just enough for the bike and not many accessories, is this true or what? Greg, I'll give you a shout about getting mine setup when we get a chance.
Luke, they add so much light mounted where I have them that I just can't believe how blind I was driving at night.
Magna man, the relay is just a switch that energizes a complet seperate circuit to operate the lights. A relay is just a way of using a low rated switch to operate a high amperage circuit. I just used a switch rated high enough to handle the amperage of the circuit instead of a relay.
:idea: I think I will buy some lights wire them to the battery (with fuse) and hold them in the different places and see what the light pattern look like down a long dark street. :roll:
I am about to do this but may save it for wrenching session. I was wondering where I would get the properly rated switch to avoid needing a relay. Radio Shack? And would they be able to help me determine which one?
Because honestly, the one near my house, well let's just say that they don't impress me as being the most knowledgeable. I'm sure they know the ins and outs of features on cell phones and such, but the last time I was in there I had to explain the difference between a mono jack and a stereo jack and how to tell which was which by looking at them. Their electronics department is steadily shrinking.
Actually I think I'm going to go with the Kuryakyn relay switch kit.
http://www.kuryakyn.com/products.asp?bn=metric&ci=2975
I can pick it up for about $25 and it contains a relay, switch, wiring and connectors. I've seen it installed a local Mootster's bike and it looks pretty nice. That way I spend less time wrenching and more time riding. :)
That's what I use on my bike for the running lights and work great.
Joseba
Thanks for the confirmation, Joseba. I'm thinking that's the way to go.
I am thinking about putting the extra lights on a strobe relay. The lights will strobe during the day and solid glow at night.
I had inquired a while back on the V4 board about driving lights as well. Here is one of the responses that was generated from those questions. Hope this helps. I haven't added them, but it is on my list of things to do. Check this out: http://www.v4hondabbs.com/index.php?showtopic=7111
Very interesting info and answers some questions.
Luke22, If you know how to do that how about a write up. I like the idea, and would try it myself.
Bob
I just got a new left hand throttle control from a fellow Maggot over on the BBS. He thoguht it came off a V4 but I think it came off an older CB model. It has not only the kill switch and starter but the headlight switch as well, and it is the older 3 positon model, off/low/high. I think once I get my windshiled I will pick up a set of small driving lights and wire it up to that control switch. It will look stock and I wont have to worry about where to mount the extra switch.
I found them while increasing my knowledge on the Internet for lights. :)
Two headlight controllers
http://www.customdynamics.com/headlight_strobe.htm
three brake light controllers
http://www.customdynamics.com/brake_light_modulator.htm