Driving light operation

[stockman]

My bike has these big round driving lights mounted on the engine guards and the way they work only 1 is on at a time. Here's how it goes-- Using the left high beam low beam switch if you move it to HI the left light is on with the main headlight high beam. If you push the switch down it flashes those lights on like a flash to pass situation. If you use the toggle switch to the right side on the " Impact pad' switch it forward and the right driving lamp is lite and the main headlight low beam is on.
Now I know each state in the US may have their own specific rule as to the way lights are used but is this correct and you use the right driving lamp for normal driving when you want extra light or do you think they both should be lite when you use the rocker switch on the Impact pad???

[Bob_Roller]

The switch on the 'dash board' is an accessory added after it left the factory .

Sounds like somebody went to a lot of trouble to wire the lights in, I wonder if the lights are the factory kit that was available for a while ?

I see nothing in the wring diagram about it .

It may have been a European requirement at one time, is my best uneducated guess .

I added the switch when I installed the PIAA 40 driving lights on my '81, but I chose the wrong power wire, I can only use the driving lights on the headlight low-beam position, I used a wire off of the 'spare' electrical connector under the seat, usually covered with a light blue cap  .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I would say wire them up however you see fit, so long as you employ relays and proper wiring to make it safe.

The load on the charging system is something else to consider.


As a rule, the factory accessory lamps were 1 driving light and 1 fog light, so in that case, no, they would not both be on at the same time.

[montmil]

I would say wire them up however you see fit, so long as you employ relays and proper wiring to make it safe.  The load on the charging system is something else to consider.

Rob is correct, Stockman. More lights will require more amperage from the electrical system than the stock set-up may be able to handle.

Also, heat and high amps running through the lightweight gauge wiring of the switches could be problematic without one or two relays in the system.

Wonder if new member "Carolina"Sue's bike damage was from an electrical fire?

Monte

[stockman]

Thanks all of you . I think they  work as intended from the date of install.
 
Rob they do look like those in the picture you attached and I do have that windshield, and there is no evidence of added nonprofessional wiring. They were probably on the bike since the day it was sold.
I will take some pictures. thanks again.

[msbuck]

Graham used to have the big driving lights on his R100 and they worked the same way - something about a law saying you could only have 2 headlights burn at any time....

[stockman]

http://picasaweb.google.com/jimreinhardt/8809#5368062696910236050
Here is a picture of the lights