rear lighting

[dfrooney]

I am interested in altering the lighting system on my '80 special...my plan is detailed below, my questions is regarding DOT rules.

Front turn signals - reverse polarity so they stay on as running lights, then blink off for turn signals
Question 1. Does the DOT allow amber running lights up front?

-this is difficult to describe, I'm not a poet...
Rear turn signals (plan A) - change to red lenses, change to two way bulbs. use some relays to merge the brake and turn signal circuits. the turn signal lights would act just like the main brake light and also blink off when used as turn signals.
Question 2. Does the DOT allow red turn signals in the rear?

Rear turn signals (plan B) - reverse polarity so they stay on as running lights, then blink off for turn signals
Question 3. Does the DOT allow amber running lights in the back?

Question 4. Any other issues/pitfalls I should be careful of?

thanks in advance,
Dan

1980 XS11 Special

[dragxs11]

Hello Dan,
As far as the front goes, the standards run the signal lights as you've described. My dad has one of those. So I'd guess that would be DOT ok. The rear however, I'm not sure. I've seen a lot of different and creative things and never hear about the cops getting upset. As long as you have a running, stop, and signal circuits, thats all that seems to matter. DOT rules must be more strict though. Even though my kuryakyn silver bullets have halogen lights in them, they still aren't DOT approved as signals. Like I said though, no one has ever given me any trouble about it.

[xssiveone]

Question 1. Does the DOT allow amber running lights up front?

My understanding is that, besides the head/driving lights, ONLY amber lights are permitted in front.

Question 2. Does the DOT allow red turn signals in the rear?

Yes, red turn signals and red running lights.

Question 3. Does the DOT allow amber running lights in the back?

No, amber turn signals are legal, but not running lights.

These answers are based on my experience as a commercial vehicle driver, so rules governing personal vehicles might differ but I doube it.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Dan,

Another thing you're going to want to consider is the total wattage/amperage draw on your system with all of those extra lights. These machines have weak charging systems, and if you are planning on running any kind of extra headlight/driving lights, then you may be asking too much with very many extra running lights as well!?!? There have been some other threads about this, just do search.

T.C.

[Jeff]

On the 78 Standard... the front signals are dual filiment and run as running lights... getting brighter when signalling.... similar to the brake light. The stock rear signals are single filament and only come on to flash.

In most all states..... amber is the only color allowed on the front for running lights.... and red is the only running light color allowed for the rear. Red or Amber is allowed for signals on the rear. I guess this is so there is no confusion as to which way a vehicle is travelling based upon the light colors. Some states also do not allow "blue dot" tail lights.

Red lenses are available for the round signal lights used on some models of XS.... but I have yet to find replacement red lenses for the square lights used on the earlier models.

I DID though find a company that sells CLEAR square lenses that fit the earler signals...though you must run a colored bulb to be legal. I will have to look back and figure out where I found them.

On at least the 78 Standard.... all that is needed is to switch out the rear sockets for dual filament and connect the low wattage lead to the tail light portion of the brake light.... and connect the high wattage lead to the stock turn signal leads. And... of course put in red lenses in the rear.

If anyone has seen a source for red square replacement lenses.... let me know. They are all I currently need to do a rear running/turn conversion.

[Jeff]

I found the clear signal lens replacement for the 78-81 XS1100 with the squared lenses.

Clear Turn Signal Lens

They are $5.99 each.

[Pat Kelly]

I've converted the rear turn signals to be running lights on every bike I've owned since 1980. They've always been amber. I've never gotten a ticket or been pulled over for having amber rear running lights. I've done this living in Arizona and California and rode to/from Big Is. Deuce. I'm not saying they're not illegal, I've just never been called on them (even when being closely followed with the LEO looking for a reason to stop me).
I'm currently looking into LED lamps to cut down on current draw and run a few more lights. Then my running lights will all be red in back.

[Geezer]

There is no reason that you couldn't retro fit dual element sockets in your turn signals. You would need the sockets from a pair of broken signals.

I’m pretty sure the wiring for the running lights is in the special but it’s not used. This system turns the running light off when the signal is flashing.

Geezer