The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: marcmax on March 30, 2013, 12:38:56 PM

Title: Parking light
Post by: marcmax on March 30, 2013, 12:38:56 PM

Can anyone tell me if the small parking light inside the headlight shell stays on when the headlight is on. I am looking for a convenient light/power source for my new speedo.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: Barry on March 30, 2013, 01:00:17 PM

Yes it does.

Whether it's a US or UK Switch, Position 1 is parking light on (terminal 58) and it remains lit except for position 2 on the UK switch which is ignition on with no lights.

(http://)  

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: marcmax on March 30, 2013, 01:31:32 PM

Thanks Barry! That is one less set of wires I have to route into the headlight shell since they are part of the same bundle as the main headlight wires.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: georgesgiralt on March 31, 2013, 03:34:44 AM

Why don't you use the original tacho light wire ?
It should be right where you intend to use it ... Maybe you'll have to change the terminal, but.... not a big deal ?

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: marcmax on March 31, 2013, 04:39:57 AM

The headlight shell I am going to use has a standard 7" headlight that does not have a place for the parking light. Since the wires are already there and are not being used it seems like an ideal solution.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: RSMike on April 07, 2013, 02:57:07 PM

nice headlight, whats the source?

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: marcmax on April 07, 2013, 03:44:55 PM

Hi Mike. The headlight shell was found at a motorcycle flea market after a long hard life. It is from a 1957 Puch Twingle and was found as just the shell. I found an aftermarket headlight and modified the mount and trim ring to fit. The yellow lens is from a transparent paint by Duplicolor called Metalcast. It is supposed to simulate anodizing when sprayed over chrome but works great on the inside of the lens.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: wa1udg on May 01, 2013, 10:45:28 AM

What's the purpose of the yellow?  Even the French have given up on their yellow headlights.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: marcmax on May 01, 2013, 11:05:52 AM

I could say it is because being different it makes it stand out in traffic and yellow is the universal color for caution. Or I could say it is because it appears brighter at night as our eyes lose sensitivity to bluer wavelengths at night.

But the real reason is that I think it looks cool.  ;D

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: Dizerens5 on May 01, 2013, 02:35:02 PM

Headlight bulbs were yellow in France until about 20 years ago. They were introduced in the 1930s I believe as they were said to be better in the coal-smoke mist of those days.  Don't know if that was ever true. Btw is there any easy way of fitting a 7-inch light unit in the R65 headlamp shell?

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: RSMike on May 01, 2013, 03:00:07 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vArQgTQVYcw

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: wa1udg on May 21, 2013, 08:21:11 AM

ANyone really interested in automotive lighting ought to look at the DanSternLighting site.

Title: Re: Parking light
Post by: Barry on May 21, 2013, 09:53:45 AM

Quote

ANyone really interested in automotive lighting ought to look at the DanSternLighting site.  

That really is an excellent site. Discovered it some time back.