Standard to special headlight switch?

[natemoen]

So I just picked up a reasonably clean 79 special headlight and turn signal setup. I have been searching the forum and not really finding anything specific about how to do the switch. is it basically a straight unplug and plug back in or is there more to it? I am assuming I do have to pull the fork off to do this and I do understand that it is a little more difficult to cram the wires back into the special headlight bucket. Is there anything else that I should be on the lookout for?

Also when I do this I am most likely going to set up the front signals with LED running and turn signals. What wires do I tie into to get the running lights in the front (do I just go back to the rear and use the same wire as the brake running light)? How does one go about getting two wires run though the bolt on the front turn signals (can it be drilled out and then use smaller gauge wire with the LEDs)?

Ok I think that might be about it that I have for questions. TIA

[psycoreefer]

I've never done the square to round thing so I can't help you there but,

In the front you should have a blue wire (I think) that isn't plugged into anything, if you test it you'll find that it is the "running" light wire your looking for. As for getting two wires into the signals, yes the stock bolts can be drilled out, I've done it, and yes you could use a lighter wire because the LED's won't draw as much current as the stock bulbs do, so both options could work.

[dbeardslee]

According to the fiche the left switch on the '79's is the same, but the one on the right handlebar has a different part number between the standards and the specials. The 78's are the same on the left too. Anyway, you should be good on the light/turn signal switch.

[natemoen]

According to the fiche the left switch on the '79's is the same, but the one on the right handlebar has a different part number between the standards and the specials. The 78's are the same on the left too. Anyway, you should be good on the light/turn signal switch.

The right handlebar controls on the 78 has the headlight on off switch and I believe that is the only year to have that switch so that is why the part numbers are different.

[dbeardslee]

I've got a '79, and it's got the on/off on the right handlebar. Doesn't really mean anything after 30 years, though . Your correct as far as the right switch and the fiche are concerned, but I thought you were asking about the left one?

[natemoen]

I've got a '79, and it's got the on/off on the right handlebar. Doesn't really mean anything after 30 years, though . Your correct as far as the right switch and the fiche are concerned, but I thought you were asking about the left one?

Wasn't really asking anything specific about the handlebar switches I am just asking in general about switching from the standard to the special headlight assembly and what all is involved with it.

[dbeardslee]

Ooooohhhh. When I first read it the work 'switch' threw me. Now I see you meant switch as in change. Going from the square to the round - now I got it. The lights themselves both use the same three prong connector, and the rest of the stuff just fits inside the bucket, so it should just be plug and play once you've got the round bucket in place. Turn signals mount a little differently, but that shouldn't be a problem going from standard to special light.