head light kill switch

[Isamemon]

yesI know that the bikes fom the old country had a switch to turn the headlights off or on
but this morning, near freezing, and my odessy battery did its best, ( 6 months old) the bike had to work hard to crank, very slow
other then the vdo clock in the fairing, my meters show no draw when shut down and my battery tests like new, and the clock so minimal in draw I doubt it s the problem

everything else is perfect, and when it starts its....perfect, idles perfect, runs great love it, love it
my brushes are good ( also replaced last fall)and I have the aftermarket regulator ( from thunderchild, as well as diode board) to fully charge the battery
the starter was rebuilt this past fall, so I dont think its draggin
I also have the "run-n-lites" on all 4 corners, so lots of lights come on, adn PIAA headlight bulb
so
other then trying to find the old country switch ( and handlebar set up) has anyone come up with a nice clean on off system
I have a lufty fairing, so I have space to mount a "clean" switch
or if anyone has a line on a good near or like new handlebar set up, that is what I would prefer
it might be cold and wet
but Im riding year round, and winter has not hit yet

oh if it makes a difference, "restored" 78 R-80

[grossjohann]

yesI know that the bikes fom the old country had a switch to turn the headlights off or on
but this morning, near freezing, and my odessy battery did its best, the bike had to work hard to crank, very slow
everything else is perfect, and when it starts its....perfect
my brushes are good and I have the aftermarket regulator to fully charge the battery
the starter was rebuilt this past fall, so I dont think its draggin
I also have the "run-n-lites" so lots of lights come on, adn PIAA headlight bulb
so
other then trying to find the old country switch ( and handlebar set up) has anyone come up with a nice clean on off system
I have a lufty fairing, so I can mount a "clean " switch

Best is to use a relay so that the power to the "nun-n-lites" turn off while the started is needed. Tapping into the headlight low-beam also works...since the "run-n-lites" are only needed when there is traffic, you don't really need them when the highbeam is on...

[lbrackr756]

Doesn't the headlight automatically turn off when the starter button is depressed? My '80 R100RT does so.
If not, yes you can just put a simple switch in the low beam circuit in the headlight. Turn it off while starting then flip it back on again.:thumb

[grossjohann]

Doesn't the headlight automatically turn off when the starter button is depressed? My '80 R100RT does so.
If not, yes you can just put a simple switch in the low beam circuit in the headlight. Turn it off while starting then flip it back on again.:thumb

Most headlights switch off to give max power to the starter. It's the motolights and other lights which have been added which may or may not switch off depending on the installation.

[paulfinney2]

On my '86 R80RT, particularly in the winter, starting was harder. The clock was a drain, not much, but definitely not helping. Once I disconnected the clock, starting was as it should have been.