Lights on when ignition is turned on

[gunfighter16]

I am new to Gold wings, but I will ask this dumb question any way. I have just purchased a 84 Aspencade and I noticed that as soon as I turn on the ignition all the running lights and the head light come on. It seems to me that this puts a real strain on the battery when you are trying to start the engine. Is this safety feature or what? Just trying to figure it out

[HALBUDD]

gunfighter I have a 84 & 85 aspey they both do the same thing lights come on but as soon as you hit the starter thy will go out. this due to the starter button. also if you are not use to it,your headlight and rear lights are always on when your ridding. And its not a dumb question at all. Dont worry about asking questions here no matter what there is always an answer. Hal

[vtxcandyred]

I am new to Gold wings, but I will ask this dumb question any way. I have just purchased a 84 Aspencade and I noticed that as soon as I turn on the ignition all the running lights and the head light come on. It seems to me that this puts a real strain on the battery when you are trying to start the engine. Is this safety feature or what? Just trying to figure it out

If you are just finding this out perhaps you should take a motorcycle safety course. If you are just seeing this then I can assume you've not been on a bike in a good loooooong time. Since, I believe it was 1975, that the headlights on ALL bike sold in the U.S. had to be on when the key was on.

[maestro319]

Wow. Since '75 huh? Guess I didn't think it was that long ago.

[vtxcandyred]

I'm not exactly sure what year but it was right around that time. In fact I believe it was 1978. My 75 550 Four's had a headlight switch and my 1980 and 81 did not.

[wendel]

I believe the poster was talking about the strain the lights put on the battery when you turn the ignition on. I just traded an 08 C14 for my 2010 Wing and the C14 headlights did not come on until the engine started, eliminating that drain on the battery. The C14 did have two small marker lights in the front that came on when you turned on the ignition.

[mike in idaho]

I used to have a 650 Yamaha that had a relay built into the charging circuit, once it started and started charging the battery the headlight came on.

[BlueThunder]

The headlight, taillight and front running light, on all of the time was a mandated Federal US law. European and Asian models have headlight on/off switch above the starter button. On US models, pushing the starter switch turns off the headlight as long as the starter button is pushed. On my '77 GL1000, I replaced the stock right hand control with one from Japan, so that I have the headlight on/off switch. Very handy for times when the battery is low.

[vtxcandyred]

I believe the poster was talking about the strain the lights put on the battery when you turn the ignition on. I just traded an 08 C14 for my 2010 Wing and the C14 headlights did not come on until the engine started, eliminating that drain on the battery. The C14 did have two small marker lights in the front that came on when you turned on the ignition.

You are exactly correct. I posted what I did in response because if he does'nt know about the lights coming on with the key then he's been away from bikes long enough for a bit of tutoring or mentoring perhaps. I'd hate to see what might happen if something unexpected is discovered while riding it. My son's F6 is the same way. No headlight until the bike's running.

[littlebeaver]

I am new to Gold wings, but I will ask this dumb question any way. I have just purchased a 84 Aspencade and I noticed that as soon as I turn on the ignition all the running lights and the head light come on. It seems to me that this puts a real strain on the battery when you are trying to start the engine. Is this safety feature or what? Just trying to figure it out

I think Honda designed it that way, you shouldn't worry about it too much, they all do that, it's not a dumb question at all. How do you like your wing? What color is it?