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Aux. driving light conversion LTD/SEI
Here's a question concerning the 85' LTD & '86 SEI, I have been looking at the shape of the cornering lights on these bikes and was wandering if anyone had converted them to high power driving lights.

The LTD & SEI are using a rectangular shape lens. I was thinking about removing the stock light assembly and installing 30 or 55 watt driving lights and making an adjuster so that I could correctly aim them at the road. I wasn't sure if the stock light fixture would hold up to that much wattage or heat from the bulb so I thought it may be easier to just replace the whole unit.

Power would be supplied by a relay system from the battery so as to avoid putting that much power thru the stock harness. I have the alternator conversion so electricity is not a problem.

My idea was to incorporate the additional lighting into the existing bodylines of the bike instead of mounting the extra bar and lights at the base of the fairing.
Any ideas from anyone on how to acheive this task?

Thanks.
Joe
1989 GL1500
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#1 10-19-2007, 06:39 PM,
They just don't lend themselves very easily to the driving light task. They are very compact and it would be difficult to get the angle right then add in the fact that they are mounted very low makes them impractical for a great driving light. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's a lot of work for what you end up with.
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#2 10-24-2007, 01:00 PM,
Thanks Vic,
Hadn't really thought about the low position as I have seen lights mounted under the fairing, on top of engine crash bars and even under them. On every type of bike from Hondas to HDs. Makes sense though to look at this area alittle closer. The cornering lights on my SEI are positioned almost even, if not slightly above the bottom line of the engine. The lights themselves are roughly 2 inches tall by 4 inches wide, what gave me the idea was some of the older style halogen driving lights that I had on my car a few years ago, almost the same size.

Thanks for the info.
Joe
1989 GL1500
Reply
#3 10-24-2007, 01:35 PM,
I put them on my 87 Aspencade, down where the cornering lights used to be. I too have the alternator conversion and I used a relay as well. I got the lights at Wally world, they are 50 watts. As long as the bulb itself is straight and paralel to the ground, I have pretty good coverage (to the right, left and straight ahead), so, that said, not sure you'd really need some aiming device.
I mounted the switch on the dashboard, right above the right side cover. Its got a little red led on it so I know if its on. Also, I ran the power from the accessories fuse so the lights are off when the bike is off, so no little gremlin can turn them on and kill the battery (this I learned from experience!)
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#4 10-25-2007, 07:34 AM,
Thanks for the info joed8562 that's good to know. I have a 4 unit lighted toggle switch chrome box mounted on top of the right handle bar brake master cylinder. I was going to power the lights thru this box by using one of the toggles to activate the relay which will have a fused power supply coming from the battery. The master power to the switch box is key activated in the ON position only. This was done in order to avoid the gremlin factor also.

Good to know about your aiming experience think I'll give it a try this winter. Will make a good little weekend project.

Thanks
Joe
1989 GL1500
Reply
#5 10-25-2007, 07:36 PM,
I put on a pair of these 55 watt driving lights mounted up high and I can't believe how effective they are, literally night and day difference. Even my wife noticed a big difference from the back seat.

[Image: DSC05387629x508.jpg]
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#6 10-25-2007, 09:28 PM,
TNroadrider Wrote:Thanks for the info joed8562 that's good to know. I have a 5 unit lighted toggle switch chrome box mounted on top of the right handle bar brake master cylinder. I was going to power the lights thru this box by using one of the toggles to activate the relay which will have a fused power supply coming from the battery. The master power to the switch box is key activated in the ON position only. This was done in order to avoid the gremlin factor also.

Good to know about your aiming experience think I'll give it a try this winter. Will make a good little weekend project.

Thanks

Can you post a picture of your chrome switch box?
The only stupid questions are the one's that are not asked.

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#7 10-26-2007, 01:32 AM,
Tricky, here is a photo of the chrome switch box that you asked about, I thought it was a 5 switch box but it is a 4, my mistake.

[Image: bikeparts002-copy.jpg]
Joe
1989 GL1500
Reply
#8 10-26-2007, 02:16 PM,
Where can these items be purchased at, or better yet, what brand and model are they?
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#9 10-26-2007, 09:26 PM,
Chris chrome used to carry them <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chrischrome.com">http://www.chrischrome.com</a><!-- w -->
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#10 10-27-2007, 07:27 AM,
What is the size of a 1500 master cylinder, I wonder if this could be converted to the 1200?

[Image: 4wayswitch.jpg]
The only stupid questions are the one's that are not asked.

Reply
#11 10-28-2007, 07:24 AM,
You might want to ask Fatwing Chris or Digby Odell directly as they both have 1500's.
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#12 10-28-2007, 01:10 PM,
Tricky I went out to the shop where my son-in-law has his 1500 parked while we're doing some repairs, he is putting on a new chrome 4 toggle switch box and it is different from the one on my 1200. It is taller and there is a cut out for clearances around the brake lever and the mounting stud is in a different location than on our 1200s.

He got alot of his parts from chrome world and wing stuff might want to try there.

Edit: Just found this info from Chrome Crazy in Kentucky you might want to check it out. It for a 3 switch chrome or matte black box that fits most master cylinders.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chromecrazy.net/product.php?id=2729">http://www.chromecrazy.net/product.php?id=2729</a><!-- m -->
Joe
1989 GL1500
Reply
#13 10-28-2007, 05:31 PM,
After searching I decided I shall manufacture my own here's a start.

A T.I.G'd up box that will fit over the right master cylinder when completed.

[Image: switchboxtigd.jpg]
The only stupid questions are the one's that are not asked.

Reply
#14 10-31-2007, 07:43 PM,
Looking good so far Tricky. Are you going to have it chromed when finished?
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#15 11-01-2007, 07:34 AM,


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