Forum

[NicoV]

If I want to install an extra pair of headlights, where on the Bullet is it best to take electricity ? I guess it is best not to connect them straight to the battery

[Mark M]

It depends on their wattage but expect to wire them directly to the battery via a relay and a fuse. The relay control side can then still be isolated through the ignition switch. This type of arrangement is not unusual, my Moto Guzzi California has the twin Fiamm horns controlled through a direct fed relay for exactly this reason.

REgards, Mark

[stinkwheel]

Depends on the bullet, there are different systems, some of which would lend themselves to fitting accessory lighting better than others. Does your normal headlight work with the engine off?



What sort of extra headlamps were you thinking of fitting? What kind of wattage? For seeing with or for being seen by?



On a personal note, I've found the headlamp on my 2007 350 bullet to be pleasantly effective. Well focused with a good beam spread, and providing more than adequate visability.



They changed to a different type of reflector in around 2000 which takes an H4 bulb, your '99 bike may well have the old type assymetric with a round tungsten filament bulb fitted (have a look and see what you've got, compare it to the pictures on the accessories catalogue on this site). If you are having trouble with night time visability, it might be worth changing your reflector/lens insert. I'd suggest one of our hosts neolite sealed beam inserts with a good quality H4 halogen bulb would be worth a punt in the first instance.



It can also be worth giving the terminals inside the switch a clean because they can become corroded over time leading to dull lights.

[PeteF]

I would take it from the battery via a relay. If you site the relay in the left hand tool box you can pick up 12v from the brake switch for the relay so the system is isolated by ignition switch.

[stinkwheel]

A switched live relay is all good if the extra lights are on a totally seperate circuit with their own switch. If they are going to be wired in so they switch on with the headlights, it'll get a bit more complicated.

[NicoV]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
Why do I want extra headlights: when driving home I often pass a plateau at 850 m with sinuous roads and no street lights. If the headlight for some reason would stop giving light, that could mean I drive off the road and fall deep. On some places on that plateau that could be anywhere from 4 to 20 metres. Another thing: many country roads in Norway do not have street lights.
In Summer darkness is not a problem since it does not get dark at night in Norway in the Summer. In early Spring and late Autumn it gets dark much earlier.
I had thought of a pair of led lamps as backup when I drive through that road. No high wattage needed.

[stinkwheel]

In which case yes, as Mark and Pete both said, connect them to the battery using a relay activated by a switched live. As Pere says, the power feed to the rear brake switch is convenient and redundant (as in not safety critical if your own wiring interferes with it or stops it working). I'd use a fused relay with an appropriate size fuse. This will prevent you accidentally leaving them on. You'll obviously need a switch somewhere too. May also be worth having a tell-tale of some sort to let you know they're on. Some switches have a built in tell-tale.



If you have an AC/DC system, you could potentially wire some types of LED light in paralell with the headlamp. You'd want "single filament" (if that makes sense, no shared earth) LED bulbs designed for positive earth electrics.

[Jack the Lad]

I fitted our hosts auxiliary light kit to my Electra, which came with a wiring diagram, switches and relays, but I paid the dealer to do the fitting, as electricity is a form of magic. The extra light makes night riding so much better, even with an upgraded headlight. The auxiliary lights are now fitted to the Himalayan using the same bracket cut and bolted to the framework round the tank, looking really smart. The Himalayan has a much better stock headlamp, but the extra lamps still add width and depth to the beam, making it as good as my car's lights.