Head light issues

[donebysunday]

+1 agree that's how the Yamaha relay works.
This assuming of course that the relay he has is the stock relay and not some off the shelf automotive relay. Which would turn off/open once power goes away.

Edit: of course the 78/79 relay is different than the 80/81 relay.

Don, George and all Thank You !

The relay I have is a 3H5-00 OMRON 017009 , if anyone has one I'd be a buyer.

On the other hand if I permanently jump it and cut the ground for the head light install a switch some where ( to be figured out ) I would have a switched headlight, YES/NO ? ? ? Would this be a proper resolution ?

[DGXSER]

Or you could just jump it and let your battery handle the extra load while starting. I have a relay here that is OMRON 3H5-00 2730D9 it looks like. It came off my wrecked SH year ago, so I do not know where it was, I think it is the headlight relay but not sure.

[donebysunday]

relay

I'll PM you

[bikerphil]

The 80 and 81 models have a diode hidden in the wiring harness somewhere, when that goes bad, your relay won't latch. It should be on one of the 3 white wires coming from the alternator. It can be replaced with one from Radio Shack.

[donebysunday]

The 80 and 81 models have a diode hidden in the wiring harness somewhere, when that goes bad, your relay won't latch. It should be on one of the 3 white wires coming from the alternator. It can be replaced with one from Radio Shack.

Thank You !
Noted !
I like the idea of being able to switch the head light off or on, how do you feel about using the head light ground to add a switch ?

Thank You ! Done };~)

[donebysunday]

Jumper in place of head light relay

All done making the jumper and all is well.

As I think about it even with the stock relay having the light come on when the engine generates I'd like to be able to turn it off. As I said,,,,,,,,,,,
I like the idea of being able to switch the head light off or on, how do you feel about using the head light ground to add a switch ?
ANYONE ? Please ! Thank You All ! Done };~)

[bikerphil]

Only problem with that is you may forget to turn it on while riding, someone may not see you coming. It is ok to leave it jumpered, I had mine like that for many years before I decided to fix the relay. If you want to hook up a power switch to your headlight somehow, by all means do it, it is your bike.

[donebysunday]

relay

Only problem with that is you may forget to turn it on while riding, someone may not see you coming. It is ok to leave it jumpered, I had mine like that for many years before I decided to fix the relay. If you want to hook up a power switch to your headlight somehow, by all means do it, it is your bike.

How did you fix the relay ? Replace it ?

I've owned many early XS 650s where there was a switch to turn on the light, not to say that I won't forget at some time but I've gotten used to it and I can see the light slightly reflecting off the inside of my fly screen, so I know it's on or off. But again is the ground to the head light the best way to turn on and off?

[bikerphil]

I took the relay apart and resoldered a broken solder joint. I can't tell you if the best way to switch the headlight would be with the ground, maybe someone else will chime in.

[DGXSER]

The starter system on the bike works by switching the ground. The starter switch is in the grounding leg. So it is not a forbidden method.

In some states, it is required that a motorcycle headlight be on at all times, so you may need it on depending where you go. If you forget to switch it, could get you a ticket. I also feel it is a safety concern not to have it on, we need all the visual help we can get out there to be seen.

In the end though, it is up to you how you want it to work.

[donebysunday]

head light relay

So switching off the head light via the ground is OK.

I will go to my ACE and see what is the smallest switch that can handle the ground.

Thank You Sirs ! Done };~)

[bikerphil]

Probably need at least 10A, it doesn't matter switching ground or hot, same amps travel thru the switch. Myself, I would use a relay and switch the trigger wire running to the relay.

[donebysunday]

Probably need at least 10A, it doesn't matter switching ground or hot, same amps travel thru the switch. Myself, I would use a relay and switch the trigger wire running to the relay.

Just thought it would be easier to splice into the ground wire on head lights pig tail and put a hole in the back left or right side of the head light shell for the switch ?

[bikerphil]

Yep, that would be easy, go for it.

[ManagerMike]

Wouldn't it just be easier to replace the relay? Any 12 volt, 10 amp or better relay will work, I used a 'common as thieves' Bosch style relay 5 years ago to replace the stock one when it failed. Under ten bucks and under ten minutes...

Same type of relay I used for the FIAMM horns