My '75 CB400F doesn't have a headlight switch. Not necessarily mandated by the US law, but maybe just Honda getting ahead of the regulations.
ST1300 - Headlights don't turn off with the key off.
- Thread starter ST_korn
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That just shows you're an old fart Larry. <g,d,rlh>
jfheath
John Heath
I got that bit wrong then, didn't I ? Thanks for that correction. I remember being surprised when I read it, but I just took it at face value. I don't often do that. The early 2002 Uk models had a light switch. I don't know when it changed. Certainly before 2006. The fiches suggest before 2004.
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jfheath
John Heath
Tyres, perhaps.
It had to do with Joan Claybrook and the NHTSA requiring 85MPH max speedometers. Here is one link about it. Was her thought it would make people drive slower and safer. https://www.motorists.org/blog/speedometers-faulty-thinking-shameful-consequences/
Lights stay on when ignition switch in Off, bike won't start | ST1300 Related
Yesterday I rode over to John's (Nashcat) to take advantage of his lift and soldering skills. We first checked the 14 pin yellow plug (right side). Everything appeared to be normal. Next we checked the 24 pin plug on the left side (as in riding position) and found the ground wire burned...
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
Good point as this applies to civilian vehicles only. I have edited my previous post to reflect such.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
I would be surprised if it was not much sooner than that. In Canada, it became mandatory to have the headlights burning at all times in 1975.
I would assume that it was around the same time in the US as well, but don't know that to be true.
"A motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1974 must be equipped with a headlamp or headlamps which automatically turn on when the engine of the motorcycle is started and which remain illuminated as long as the engine is running."
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1966 Motor Vehicle Safety Act started the ball rolling by allowing federal agencies to codify vehicle standards in the Code of Federal Regulations. That law standardized vehicle and motorcycle controls and lighting although revisions to the CFR have been made in the passing years.
ST Gui
240Robert
I'm pretty sure it was 1975 when DOT required bikes' headlights to turn on with the IGN on. My first bike had an OnOff switch for the headlights but my next didn't.
Luckily I never owned a bike with an 85mph speedo. That was just so wrong. Same with cars made in those years. I do miss kickstarting a bike. I've only owned Hondas and one Duc and those with kickstart levers aways started on the first kick. A point of pride that.
Luckily I never owned a bike with an 85mph speedo. That was just so wrong. Same with cars made in those years. I do miss kickstarting a bike. I've only owned Hondas and one Duc and those with kickstart levers aways started on the first kick. A point of pride that.
Most people have a left arm, so I'd argue that turn signals were not optional equipment. Using them back then, as now, is of course optional.
Kevin_56
Site Supporter
I will add that my first bike was a 75 Suzuki GT380. It had and on/off headlight switch that without modifying a little tab, could not be turned to off. All it took was to remove a screw, cut off said tab and reinstall the plastic slider. The 77 GS 750 was the same way. By 79 and the GS850 I bought no longer had the slider to modify.
Yes, that 380 was small.
Yes, that 380 was small.
jfheath
John Heath
Sorry - I forgot to repeat that I'm in the UK. The 2002 ST1300s here definitley had a switch on the right switch cluster. My 2000 ST1100AY had a light switch too. The fiches for 2004 list a right hand switch unit with no light switch. I don't know when the law actually changed in the UK.
I was really just being a "smart donkey", but it was pointless and did not help with the actual problem the OP is having. Sorry about that, we understood what you were saying - thank you for the info!
I do think it is interesting that that the same models have different lighting requirements throughout the world. Doesn't the UK require a "rear fog light" on vehicles? I think that same light is illegal in the US.
-Ryan
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
I am aware that you are in the UK John. My surprise that the law was not in effect in the UK much sooner than what you state is what I was referring to.
jfheath
John Heath
They are all fitted with rear fog lights - except motorcycles - is my belief (But I haven't bought a new motorcycle since 2014). I've tweaked my top box 'spoiler' brake light to be always on - brighter than the tail light, but not as bright as when it is acting as a brake light.
All motor vehicles have to show daytime running lights since around 2006. This seems to have resulted in more people driving at night with no tails lights. It is so easy on lit roads to believe you have your lights on - 'cos you can see the light on the road ahead of you.
Going way off topic here, but just filling in the silence while the OP is out of the room. Any progress yet @ST_korn ??
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
That problem is being solved for us as well. Very soon new vehicles will require automatically activated lights front and rear controlled by a sensor. Not sure when it takes effect but soon.
jfheath
John Heath
The obvious answer would be when it gets dark !
We have a light switch position that enables that - you can leave it set to that permanently - which I find useful. Its not required by law though. It isn't clever enough to turn them on in poor daylight conditions such as rain or fog but the wiper sensor seems to be effective for that.
I know my Yamaha XS750 had it for 1977 but can't remember if my 1974 Honda CB360 had it.