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Subject: "headlamp wiring on a cb350"
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dudedude
Member since May-15-06
12 posts |
May-27-06, 09:43 AM (EDT) |
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"headlamp wiring on a cb350"
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what is the most efficient way of wiring a cb350 to have the headlight on all the time?
could you bypass the dimmer switch and wire a toggle with high and low and use one of the alternator wires for power? |
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schuyler
Member since May-4-06
44 posts |
May-28-06, 03:21 AM (EDT) |
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1. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #0
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take apart the control switch. you'll see which wires need to go together after about 3 seconds of looking and seeing how the switch works. might as well rig is so the highbeams are always on. no 30 something year old bike will have a headlight that even compares in brightness to new bikes or cars. also good for visibility. thats what i did anyway. if my bike is on, my lights are on. good way to not kill your battery by accidentally leaving key on after you turn your light off and forget about the rest. |
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dudedude
Member since May-15-06
12 posts |
May-31-06, 11:11 AM (EDT) |
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2. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #1
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When I look at the wiring diagram it looks like there are two wires that come from the alternator to the dimmerswitch. a yellow/white one and a yellow one, when the lights are off these two wires are connected when the lights are on these two are disconnected and power comes from the yellow/white wire. Im wondering if I wire the lights to be "always on" should I connect the Yellow/white and Yellow wires and then draw power from a different always on source(ignition wire?) |
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ohiocaferacers
Member since Jun-25-04
214 posts |
May-31-06, 11:34 AM (EDT) |
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3. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #2
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If you are running a stock CB350 with stock electricals........I would not advise wiring it so the lights are permanently on or on high beams all the time....that is unless you want a dead battery all the time. These bikes were designed for limited headlight use......as compared to todays bikes. For some reason....if you leave that headlight switch on "L" or "H" rather than turning it off.....it drains your battery. Also....these alternators are very underpowered and cannot produce enough power to run on the high beams for extended periods. I agree the low beams are bad.....but if you run with the high beams for too long....your gonna be worse off. ...just my 2 cents,
Greg
www.OHIOCAFERACERS.com |
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schuyler
Member since May-4-06
44 posts |
May-31-06, 01:14 PM (EDT) |
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4. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #3
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To address what Greg said...
I accidentally forgot about that fact before I made my lights permanently on. I agree with the theory that it will drain your battery, but for some reason or another I've had no problems so far. My rides are usually pretty short, although the first ride of the year was about 70 miles or so, all stop and go for about 2 and a half or 3 hours with a couple breaks where I shut the bike off. Anyhow, that's my experience with it so far, but who knows for sure- I swear these old bikes have a mind if their own sometimes. |
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dudedude
Member since May-15-06
12 posts |
May-31-06, 03:47 PM (EDT) |
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5. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #4
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so the two wires that come from the alternator (yellow/white and yellow) when those are connected (as they are when the dimmerswitch is set to off) does the battery get all of the power that the alternator puts out, thus charging the battery more? If I keep those wires connected all the time (thus charging the battery all the time) in essense tricking the bike into thinking that the lights are always off, would I be more successful when wiring the bike to have the headlight on all the time? |
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xander450
unregistered user
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May-31-06, 07:00 PM (EDT) |
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6. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #5
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The way I recall it, you've got a circuit (two actually) charging the battery constantly, and a third that comes on when the light's on to throw additional charge to make up for the additional draw. So if you wanted to keep things good, the trick is to wire as though your lights are always ON. Perhaps I've missed something, but - why not just leave the switch on and save yourself the wiring trouble?
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dudedude
Member since May-15-06
12 posts |
Jun-01-06, 10:36 AM (EDT) |
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7. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #6
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well Im using the controls from a 2000 cbr 600f (I like the look of modern controls) and the light switch on these controls only has a low and highbeam wire. but thanks for the insight, I think I will try it both ways (wired for always on and always off) and see which one drains the battery the fastest! |
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sk8erdie
unregistered user
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Jun-01-06, 03:23 PM (EDT) |
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8. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #7
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How tricky is it to put modern controls on your bike anyway? Is it just a matter of soldering wires to the correct points? Tips? |
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dudedude
Member since May-15-06
12 posts |
Jun-02-06, 11:18 AM (EDT) |
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9. "RE: headlamp wiring on a cb350"
In response to message #8
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modern controls are pretty straight forward, Im using honda controls for my cb 350 and most of the wires are the same color, which make things very easy. I am using stock CB connectors so that I can remove the handlebars when I want. The most important thing is to have accurate wiring diagrams for both your bike and the bike you are getting the controls from, after that just hook up what you want and tape off the rest!
here are the links to the wiring diagrams that I am using:
CB350 wiring diagram (color)
 2000 CBR 600F4 wiring diagram
http://www.bossturbo.com/cbr/reference_wiring.shtml |
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