Start button kill headlights on ex Police ST11?

[Piet]

I read that when you hit the starter button on the ST1100 it is suppossed to disconnect the headlights while it is cranking.  On my ex Police model the headlights stay on regardless.   The lights never go off except when you turn the key off.  Does anyone know if this normal on the ex police model or is it a strong indication of a faulty contact set on the starter push button?  I would appreciate any guidence.

[Totgas]

No,
The lights should stay on all the time the ignition is on. No off whilst cranking. The information you read is incorrect.
Cheers,
A.

[Brock]

The 1100s do in fact drop the head light on start, or at least the majority do. Mine certainly does.  I havent worked out how exactly it works from the wiring diagrams.  The idea is to remove the headlight load from the battery, giving that little bit extra to get the bike started.

[johnnyYTED]

 
my 1998 ST11 X Police light STays on when Cranking ,,  always  has..

[Biggles]

The 1100s do in fact drop the head light on start, or at least the majority do. Mine certainly does.  I havent worked out how exactly it works from the wiring diagrams.  The idea is to remove the headlight load from the battery, giving that little bit extra to get the bike started.

There would have to be an NC relay somewhere.

[johnnyYTED]

 
Biggles theres heaps of extra relays under STrangers front fairing,,  so mayB 1 of them

[Biggles]

Biggles theres heaps of extra relays under STrangers front fairing,,  so mayB 1 of them

Maybe, but in you case it's not in the circuit.  Might be a Police wiring aspect.

[johnnyYTED]

 
Biggles Piet was asking  re  X police model.

[alans1100]

The 1100s do in fact drop the head light on start, or at least the majority do. Mine certainly does.  I havent worked out how exactly it works from the wiring diagrams.  The idea is to remove the headlight load from the battery, giving that little bit extra to get the bike started.

It's all done in the start switch.

If you look at the wiring diagram you should see a blue/white (on my 1100A) wire that goes from the start switch to the hi/lo switch. In the normal position the contacts are closed and the headlights work. Pressing the switch opens the light contacts (headlights lights off) and when pushed further the start contacts close and starter operates.

[saaz]

My 96 police ST1100 has headlights on when starting

[Hendo]

Gentlemen,

I have just gone through my manual looking at all the circuit diagrams, all the models except the police model are as per alans1100 description. The police model does not have that part of the starter switch therefore the lights are on all the time.If they go out as you start on a police model it has been modified or you have a battery that is about to die.   

Cheers,

Hendo

[Brock]

.If they go out as you start on a police model it has been modified or you have a battery that is about to die.

Nope, my bike has always done it.  There are many threads about this in the states, some bikes do it, and some dont. Some are police bikes and some arent..

[Piet]

Thanks everyone who responded.  I now understand that some do while most ex police bikes don't isolate  the headlights on starting.  At least I am confidant that nothing is amiss on my ST.  I like the idea of the headlights dropping out of circuit on start, maximising power to the starter.  So long as it keeps starting then I am a happy vegemite.