Confusion about rear light / ignition switch

[pee-T]

Dear gentlemen,

I am a little bit confused and need your help.
I have a 3XV8 / RS

Is this a normal electrical setup?

Ignition switch is off
Light switch is off

When turning the ignition switch to on, the rear light turns on.
(The head light is still of, the light switch is still of)



Thank you

[ybk]

Sounds like someone may have done some tweaking at some stage..

Default behavior is front light always on as well as the rear passive light when turning the ignition. The switchgear only switches on the hazards, you can't actually turn the front light off (only the 3XV1 has a switchgear with an 'off' switch as far as I remember).

If you have an on/off switchgear then it may have been swapped at some stage..

[yanw]

Yes, 93 was the year it changed, bikes like the TZR250 went down to 40bhp and the lights were wired on all the time. Japan also tightened the emissions that year hence the oil pump solenoids/defeat-device.

[JKV45]

Sounds like someone may have done some tweaking at some stage..

Default behavior is front light always on as well as the rear passive light when turning the ignition. The switchgear only switches on the hazards, you can't actually turn the front light off (only the 3XV1 has a switchgear with an 'off' switch as far as I remember).

If you have an on/off switchgear then it may have been swapped at some stage..

My 1991 3XV does have a switch that turns the headlight and taillight off completely.

[pee-T]

Hi guys,

Thank you. Meanwhile I found out, that there were 2 different types of handle bar switch units.That is what you told me, too.
They have either a light switch or a hazard switch. The pins of the plugs seem to be a bit different, too.
Mine is some kind of hybrid...I think the preowner of my bike has changed something. This causes my confusion. I have the hazard type, but it switches the front light. The rear light is always on.......very strange......

[pee-T]

This are the 2 different types of plugs regarding the 2 switch units. The hazard type is the one with just 7 pins

[ybk]

Yep, I can imagine it's a tempting modification to be able to turn the lights off. The small battery can suffer with the always on headlight so it would be nice to switch the light off if you need more juice for the power valves.

The rear 'park' light should always be on.

[pee-T]

Do I understand you right?
Do you suspect, that the preowner deliberately converted the switch from hazard warning lights to a headlight switch?
This could also be the reason why the lettering ,,Hazard" is barely legible in that particular spot. The picture is showing mine.

[ybk]

@pee-T It does appear to be the case, it's odd how the 'Hazard' lettering has been removed. Can you spot any other mods to the wiring loom? I reckon it would take some extra splicing to make it a light on/off instead of flashing indicators..

[yanw]

The batteries are weak on this bike. I suspect turning the headlight off is a starting aide.

[RockyFranco]

No worry, mine is the same.3xv2.
If you digg into the original wiring you can see that the rear light is always powered on while the front can be switched

Cheers

Dear gentlemen,

I am a little bit confused and need your help.
I have a 3XV8 / RS

Is this a normal electrical setup?

Ignition switch is off
Light switch is off

When turning the ignition switch to on, the rear light turns on.
(The head light is still of, the light switch is still of)



Thank you

[FZRichard]

I rode my 3XV1 today and thought about this post. So, my 1991 model doesn't have an on/off light switch, just a switch for low/high beam.

[ybk]

I rode my 3XV1 today and thought about this post. So, my 1991 model doesn't have an on/off light switch, just a switch for low/high beam.

@FZRichard Interesting, was the switchgear replaced with another type?

[FZRichard]

I don't know if it had been replaced prior the me getting it.

The switch looks original, it has the same type and style of lettering as the right hand switch block.

It doesn't have "HAZARD" printed on it.

[thump566]

I don't know if it had been replaced prior the me getting it.

The switch looks original, it has the same type and style of lettering as the right hand switch block.

It doesn't have "HAZARD" printed on it.

Its possible, my 91 3XV1 has the "on/off lighting switch". I am the 2nd UK owner after it was container imported from Japan and the 1st owner, a mate of mine from way back, definitely hadn't changed the unit.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I would prefer to have the option of switching off the lights or have the hazard option. FYI - I don't ride it with the headlight on a great deal and the Motobatt battery has been used for about 5 years now without issue, I don't use a trickle charger when its not in use.