How does Honda overide the headlight switch?

[Piet]

I have answered this by being a bit more through reading the circuit diagrams.  Sorry to trouble you.

When I review the wiring diagram, I cant see how the headlights comes on the moment the ignition switch is turned on.  How has Honda overidden the normal off/park/headlight switch on the handlebars?

What makes the even more interesting is knowing some bikes leave the headlights on when the starter is pressed and yet others kill the headlights on start.  Obviously there is more than one way Honda have overidden the O/P/H switch.

Can anyone help?  Piet.  Answered.

[alans1100]

I found a coloured wiring diagram of the Police wiring that covers the light switch/headlights. Both 1100 and 1300 would be the same as most other Honda models.


You'll notice a blue/white wire that runs from the dimmer switch to the headlight switch. A red/black wire supplies power to the headlight switch from the fuse block which would be active when key is turned on.



The next image is the standard and police RH switch blocks and you can see the wiring difference. The non-police bikes are wired so that the headlight goes off when the starter is pushed.

[Gerard & Sandra]

St1300 is the 1st Honda I have owned where headlight comes on at same time as ignition. I generally always ride (around village and on highway) with headlight on so this is not a real drama but is there any important reason why it should be set up this way????

Regards
Gerard Beard

[Piet]

Thanks Alan,  That is a great diagram.  The colouring etc is very clear.  You have answered it perfectly.  Thank you.

Gerard,
I think its law in Australia now that all bikes have the headlight come on automatically when they start up.
Thats the reason as I understand it.

[Gerard & Sandra]

Piet
Thanks. Best not to tamper and will leave things as they are.

Regards
GB

[Yorkie]

Gerard,
I think its law in Australia now that all bikes have the headlight come on automatically when they start up.
Thats the reason as I understand it.

It has been law in Oz for headlights to be on since around mid 70's

[DaleMcLean]

Gerard,
I think its law in Australia now that all bikes have the headlight come on automatically when they start up.
Thats the reason as I understand it.

It has been law in Oz for headlights to be on since around mid 70's

Maybe the '80's it was bought in (my '78 Ducati has switch that works :-) ) but I believe its not mandatory anymore

[saaz]

My 78 Suzuki GS1000 also has a headlight switch that works.

On some of the newer bikes (eg the Triumph Trophy) the headlights do not come on with the ignition (unless you pull in the clutch before turning on the ignition) but do come on when the bike is running. Should make the headlight bulbs last longer I suppose, and also reduce the voltage spikes for all those extra electronics on bikes these days.