reserve lighting unit removal

[tony7914]

hey there folks!!
First i just wanted to say that this is a great site and i have already found a wealth of usefull info!! I have a 79 special that i am getting road worthy once again, the PO had let the bike sit for a long time, i've had to do some rewiring here and there to fix some bad wiring work from the past. one problem i have run into so far is that i have no power to my headlight, all the other lights work so far and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas about how to go about fixing this particular problem? also does anyone know how to get rid of the reserve lighting unit? i followed the link listed on the site and it's no longer there. any help would be great!!
my e-mail is tony7914@insightbb.com
thanks in advance!!!
Oh by the way! there is a place in Indianapolis that has a variety of parts for the xs11's "cycle-re-cycle part 2" look in their main index. the service is good and fast.

[Bud Manley]

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/shopping_info.htm
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/online_catalog.htm
Thought I'd post the link for em

[T1ny]

Tony: I cheated and wired a new fuse box to the battery and hooked my headlight / dashlights to it. Then mounted a car headlamp switch to the handlebar under the spedo. It's a dirty method but it will keep me on the road until the snow flies and I have time to fight to do it all right.

The biggest problem with my hookup, if someone walks by and pulls the switch the battery drains quickish.

[mitch]

lights

I wonder if u can do what Tony did using the acc. terminal and a toggle switch? just a thought! regards MITCH

[Duster]

Tony. I'm assuming you know the head light won't come until the engine is running. I had trouble with my 79 11 special and bought a small switch from Radio Shack, used the power supply that is already in the head light that is only hot when the key is on and taped into the low beam wire. I use it only when something is not working correct which seems to happen every time I wash it. The key turns it off and usualy having it on for just a little while causes the head light to start working with out the extra juice and I can turn it off.
Duster

[tony7914]

re: reserve lighting removal

thanks for all the advice!! i'll try it and let you know how it goes!!

[Dennyz]

There are two devices involved in the headlight functionality, he Headlight Relay (HR) and the Reserve Lighting Unit (RLU).

The HR is responsible for turning the head light on when the motor starts. It takes a signal from the alternator to enable the relay.

The RLU monitors the headlight and turns on the high beam, with reduced voltage should the low beam burn out. Probably a nice feature, but not required to make light.

Both can be wired out of the circuit. I bypassed the RLU and found my head light is brighter and it does not pull down my charging system as much (does not dim so much at idle).

There is an article out on the site some where that will explain how to bypass these devices, or send me mail off line. I will whip up a diagram of which wires need to be jumped to by pass the HR and/or the RLU.

FYY: All my experience with the RLU and HR are on "F" and "SF" models. There may be some differences on the "G" and "H" series.

[tony7914]

re: reserve lighting system

thanks DennyZ! i looked for that site you spoke of and it's no longer out there, if it's not to much trouble could you send me that diagram at tony7914@insightbb.com ?
thanks again for all the advice!!

[Mike Hart]

Modifications/Batt&Elec:

How to remove your Reserve Lighting Unit

It doesn't have the diagram, but the instructions are clear.

Try saying "RLU URL" 3 times fast....

[wildbill]

how to remove reserve light

I`am going to have to remove that mess from my bike.78 XS-11E The bike has a on off switch on handlebars and if it can be done that is what it is going to do.Removing the reserve lighting and lighting, make my headlight brighter and useing handlebar switch.Maybe that will take care of dim lights.I hate dim lights! Thanks

[wildbill]

Re: how to remove reserve light

Originally posted by wildbill
I`am going to have to remove that mess from my bike.78 XS-11E The bike has a on off switch on handlebars and if it can be done that is what it is going to do.Removing the reserve lighting and lighting, make my headlight brighter and useing handlebar switch.Maybe that will take care of dim lights.I hate dim lights! Thanks

Hi. I`m back,have not had the time to fix the lighting problems listed above.Would like to remove relay as well.My service book is not the best and I do want to get it right the first time if posable.My bike -I made a wish list and it will take time.Thanks