Category Archives: Lights

New LED Headlight and Wiring Box, Aug 2022

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Had an ongoing issue with the H4 bulb in the after market bucket (the original headlight for this bike is a sealed beam unit) where the bulb was always on high beam. Solution? trouble shoot or replace. I opted to replace with one of those cool looking, hopefully not blinding, after market LED headlights.

While losing space for the wiring harness within the bucket (it was a tight fit anyway) it was easy to install a wiring box from a Honda GL500 (thank you ebay) and put a temporary cover on it. well, it is supposed to be a temporary cover … though i did need a headlight extension cable & just bought one instead of making one.

Also lost the place my front blinky things were mounted so i’m awaiting a set of fork blinker mounts to arrive (also thank you Amazon) & will install those next weekend.

Honda GL500 Rear Brake/Running Lights, July 10, 2021

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Took out the rather week inandescent rear bulbs, the ones in the brake/running light housing, and replaced with LEDs. Man are these things bright. No mistaking when the bike is on or when the brakes are being applied. Ordered from Amazon & prime delivery.

LED bulbs, these are red in color so better in transmitting light through the red cover
running light after install during the day

Gas Tank Mod, Registered, May 15, 2021

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Finally got it re-registered and insured. Street legal now. Just need to finish some optics (wrap gas tank & other side panel i think), add a clip to pull the charging cable out through the gas tank lid, and install a chain slide and it is good to go. Actually the only real thing is to add the chain slide as I am using a smaller than stock sprocket so it will rub on the swing arm. Or i could just increase the front sprocket size, lengthen the chain, and get on with life also.

Side view at night with side panel and gas tank installed.
Side angle view at night
Rear top view at night

Accent Light Update, May 8, 2021

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So I spend the day trimming the spaghetti wire nest in the headlight back so i could put the headlight on. Success. Darn engineers should make the headlight bucket 2 inches deeper than it needs to be to accomodate wiring. Anyway, progress pictures below. Just need to finish putting a bottom protection plate on, a sprocket cover, and finish the accent lighting and it will be functionally done. Then trimming back the gas tank a bit more to fit over the top of the batteries and it will be basic optics done. Advanced optics will have to wait a bit.

Brake Light Pedal Switch (September 26, 2011)

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This has been a busy month for broken/if it’s not broken fix it things.  I noticed the brake light kept staying on all the time, even when I wasn’t moving.  The culprit – the rear brake switch (right foot pedal) spring has sprung.  No matter how it is adjusted it just keeps staying in the on position instead of springing back to off when the brake is released.  Solution, remove spring & connector.  Brake light no longer works when only using rear brake but since I always use the front brake as well it is not a big deal.

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Blinker Fix (September 26, 2011)

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Finally installed a new right turn blinker.  LED.  Got these online for 4 for $20.  Eventually will replace the front left one so they match but need to find an LED blinker controller that works with my bike before I can replace all four with LED blinkies.

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Blinker Broken (September 7, 2011)

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Just happened to notice when leaving the post office that my right front blinker is not only not blinking, it is hanging by the wires as I’m driving down the road.  Sigh.  This is what can happen when you buy NOS (new old stock) items that are rubberized & have been sitting on a shelf for about 30 years.  The rubber dries out from sitting (just like tires do) and once it starts getting bounced around & vibrated from the bike being driven it slowly cracks and then simply breaks one day.

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