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Author Topic: Euro Headlight Switch  (Read 5060 times)

Offline mrclubike

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #15 on: February 11, 2018, 05:34:39 PM »
Most people feel the LEDS do as good or better  on low beam as the standard bulb
But My opinion is they are a little weaker than the normal on high

I also have Aux Floods on with the high beam to fill in where they leave off
« Last Edit: November 10, 2020, 09:45:07 AM by Justin B. »
1982 R65 running tubeless Snowflakes
2004 R1150R

Offline mrclubike

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1982 R65 running tubeless Snowflakes
2004 R1150R

Offline mrclubike

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2018, 05:47:00 PM »
When installing these you  will  have to remove the bulb shield inside the headlight

Just a warning you may need to replace the gasket because it may tare when separating the glass from the reflector
1982 R65 running tubeless Snowflakes
2004 R1150R

Offline Tony Smith

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2018, 12:44:13 AM »
Quote
When installing these you  will  have to remove the bulb shield inside the headlight

Just a warning you may need to replace the gasket because it may tare when separating the glass from the reflector


The penny finally dropped.
In Australia the R65 didn't get the "3 piece suit" headlight with separately replaceable glass lens, reflector and bulb.

What we got was an incredibly rare (last eBay quoted price in the vicinity of $150) semi sealed beam that is supposedly 7" but really isn't as the lens has a reduced diameter so as to provide a "landing shelf" so that it sits inside the chrome bezel and is then secured with a number of "L" - springs. The bulb is a fairly standard H4 type.

I have suspected for some time that R65s in other jurisdictions got different headlights and Mrclubbike's post sort of confirms it.

1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline skippyc

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2018, 06:41:00 AM »
To answer the fit, it just went straight in. I paid $15 for mine so it is probably the one you put up, that is no longer available. I just looked at the site and picked the globe that looked the same.

Offline Matt Chapter

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2018, 02:42:38 PM »
Quote
As far as the comparison between our models, I still wonder why Max wouldn't show it for mine if it was a straight up fit.

I sorta missed this when replying the first time - the reason the parts fiche doesn't show the euro headlight switch assembly for a US bike is, of course, that the euro switch doesn't fit the legalities here in the US.

Motorcycles in the US have been required since the 70s to have an "always on" headlight, so there's no reason to sell a switch that could circumvent that law.
'04 R1150 RT ~41000 miles
'86 R65 / '84 motor ~72000 miles. SS lines, Spiegler rotor, Progressive monoshock, Keihan silencers, a piece of Pichler fairing.
'76 CB400F ~26000 miles. non-runner!

Offline skippyc

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2018, 04:33:52 PM »
My mate told me my Led globe was not ADR approved.
(ADR Australian design rule)

Offline Tony Smith

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #22 on: February 12, 2018, 05:00:26 PM »
Quote
My mate told me my Led globe was not ADR approved.
(ADR Australian design rule)

I say MEH! to the ADRs. (The GSA has LED low beam, HID high beam, 2*1,500 lumen LED running lights, a HID flood light on the left of the beak and a HID pencil spot on the right [trucks dip their light for me a long way away]

The running lights are angled down so that the "puddle" of light they emit does not extend more than 20m in frotn of the bike, the HID flood is angled slightly lieft and usefully illuminates a 50m swathe of road verge out to about 100m, the high beam is angled so that the horizontal cut is about 150m ahead of the bike, the pencil spot at 500m. The LED low beam sort of lets cars know I'm there during the day - it is useless at night, but then so where the OEM bulbs - R1150 GS & GSAs are generally regarded as having the most crap stock lights fitted to a motorcycle in the past 30 years (my 1984 XT350 headllght is better, even with the stock 50/55 watt bulb).

As a nod to the ADRs I am about to change the HIDs on the beak to 35w LEDs  as the HIDs are absurdly bright and throw light further than I need and therefore needlessly annoys other road users. I might put the HID flood on the R100.
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline wilcom

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #23 on: February 12, 2018, 06:48:30 PM »
Quote
then secured with a number of "L" - springs.

I have "L" springs on my US model....... I know because when I took my headlight out to change bulbs two "L" springs went flying across the garage. I never found one of them so I am running an incomplete motorcycle ::)
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA

Present:
1984 BMW R65LS "Herr Head"
past:
1982 BMW R65LS
1979 R65
1980 R65
1982 R80RT
1974 R90/6
1972 R75
1964 R50/2
19xx R27
ZX-11

Offline BPT

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #24 on: February 12, 2018, 08:59:25 PM »
Quote
Quote
As far as the comparison between our models, I still wonder why Max wouldn't show it for mine if it was a straight up fit.

I sorta missed this when replying the first time - the reason the parts fiche doesn't show the euro headlight switch assembly for a US bike is, of course, that the euro switch doesn't fit the legalities here in the US.

Motorcycles in the US have been required since the 70s to have an "always on" headlight, so there's no reason to sell a switch that could circumvent that law.

Hey Matt - I think you misunderstood my post about that, or I didn't word it correctly.  Max shows both switches for the later models but only the non-Euro for my earlier one.  I thought about the legal aspect when I was only looking at mine.  But when I saw that they also listed the Euro version for the ones a couple of years later, that's what made me think there might be a difference.
1983 R65 w/ Velorex 562 Sidecar

Offline BPT

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #25 on: February 15, 2018, 03:23:37 PM »
Hey MrClubike - regarding LED, I have changed everything to LED except for the instrument panel and the headlight.
There have been a few threads here I've asked questions on about the headlights. I know that there are a few guys here that have changed and are happy.  For a while I think it was difficult to get the reliability/good beam/price all in one good package.  And the last time I looked it appeared to be $40 and up is what would get you something decent. 
I have too many other things right now to deal with but would eventually like to switch the headlight to LED.
1983 R65 w/ Velorex 562 Sidecar

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #26 on: February 15, 2018, 08:28:23 PM »
I bought a new 1978 R100/7 and it had the same switch as the "Euro" bikes.
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline BPT

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2018, 10:14:24 PM »
Did you notice any differences, Justin?  I mean as far as what they're talking about with certain things not working when it's in certain positions?

To be honest, I doubt I'd notice the difference. I'm not even sure if I have a "parking" light.

My current switch is bad so I needed to replace it anyway. I thought the Euro style would be good since it gave the option to turn the headlight off.  But I didn't know it would change so many other things.

I guess as long as all the necessary lights work when it's in the full on position, that'll be fine with me.  But it would be nice to have it work correctly, if possible, and also to know what to expect.
1983 R65 w/ Velorex 562 Sidecar

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #28 on: February 16, 2018, 03:54:43 PM »
I think the only difference was the ability to turn the lights off.  It's been so long ago that I can't remember if it also turned off the tail light but I would bet it did.  I think when one of these is put on a "big bike" there is a slight wiring change but not sure about the R65.
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline jp9094

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Re: Euro Headlight Switch
« Reply #29 on: February 16, 2018, 04:51:50 PM »
Hi All,

Thought i'd jump in here. My 1983 r65 LS has the multi position "Euro" switch and it was purchased new in the US.  On the advice of Barry, "Senior Member" I replaced my park light with a 20 Watter. from Moto Bins. I find it bright enough to fool the boys in blue into thinking I have my headlights on and saves the alternator output for charging my battery! Of course I have to remember to turn the switch to the appropriate position when I ride. Also I found a site selling a replacement 3 position US switch for these bikes. Of course I cannot remember which one it was (oh the cruelty of old age!). Will have a look and get back to you all.

Best regards from Brooklyn.
"It's what you learn, after you know it all, that counts"