fog lights

[petarm1]

good day everyone. i have just brought home my first 1985 gold wing gl 1200 ltd edition and just joined your site. the gentlemen i just bought the bike from had no idea about how anything works so until i get hold of a owners manual can someone out there tell me how the driving lights get turned on i cant seem to locate a switch for them( if they even work) looking forward to all your combined knowledge.
thanks petar.

[Phunnybone]

They're not driving lights. They're cornering lights and they come on when you signal to that side. Do a search for cornering lights and there's a tutorial somewhere on the site about which wire to snip to make them 'always on'.

[firstwing85]

welcome to the site.
I bought the same bike 1 1/2 years ago, I had quite a few issues with mine but got them all fixed and I believe it is one of the best bikes anywhere.
I have a second repair manual if you are interested in it.
I actually lived in Grande Prairie for 14 years and therefor know exactly where you are.

as for the driving lights, they are not factory so there should be an aftermarket switch somewhere, mine is located just under the right speaker on the dash.
if you need better light then I recommend that you do what I did and install an HID headlight kit.
I installed mine last year and it's the best thing I could have ever done.
here is the kit I got in mine. http://canadiancruisercustomizing.com/i ... fs59cl76q7

let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

[petarm1]

thanks for your quick response. mine also has a set of lights above the factory lower lights. may have to look for where the wires go too.
thanks again

[firstwing85]

can you clarify which lights you're referring too?
Red Arrow = Driving lights
Black Arrow = cornering lights

the cornering lights come on when you turn on the signal lights.

[Phunnybone]

The PO for my bike put the switch for the extra lights in the plastic that covers the handle bar's ignition area. Guess it's time to start looking for switches which don't belong, or maybe a wire into the fuse box that shouldn't be there.

[petarm1]

i am reffering to the red arrow lights. tried all the obvious switches.

[petarm1]

i traced the wires from the fog lights and found they were not connected. but the were hard wired to come on when the bike is turned on. i will be putting a toggle switch on the bike so they can be turned on when needed.

[donens]

I to just purchased 85 Limited which needs some serious TLC. Runs well though. It has auxiliary lights installed which I need to rewire, as they do not work and was spliced into main harness with those blue splicers which I hate. They are unreliable and prone to failure. The fuse box is different than my 84 Aspy and does not have accessories pins. Plan on using relay for wiring but not sure where would be best to draw the power circuit, preferably from the fuse box. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

[donens]

Still looking for advice on wiring my auxiliary driving lights. Driving lights are LED. Plan on using relay to re-do wiring but need info on best approach for battery power. Prefer to source directly from fuse box if possible. Can't find a ACC fuse label in the fusebox.
Help!

[Rednaxs60]

Best approach IMO, is to install an accessory fuse block, combined power and ground that is switched on/off with an automotive relay. There is a Fuzeblock that has power/ground connections and an integrated relay - have used this as well as others. I have done this for my additions, keeps the OEM harness from becoming a spider web of extra wire. The fuse block can be mounted in the rear trunk, the relay on the left side of the battery as you look at it, just need to find a switched 12 VDC wire to activate the relay. Using an accessory fuse block keeps wiring splices to a minimum, keeps the accumulation of wires at the battery terminals to a minimum, and when troubleshooting an issue, you can disconnect the accessory fuse block from the electrical system and you won't second guess yourself as to whether the additions are an issue or not.

There is no ACC connection in the fuse block, need to install an accessory fuse block as I mention.

A lot of wires on these Limited Editions, and the wiring size is the minimum required to do the job as it came from the factory, without adding to the mix. Not to mention that using the OEM wiring harness won't work, but there is a better way.

Good luck. Cheers

[donens]

Thanks Red! Great options. Due to size restrictions, any suggestions or links to what you mean by fuse block? Don't want anything bulky.

[Rednaxs60]

This fuse block fits nicely on the left side (looking forward from the back) of the trunk. Still get 2 helmets in the trunk:

Drill a couple of holes in the trunk for wiring access:

You can see where I run the wire through to and out of the trunk.

Add a relay that is triggered from a 12 VDC source. This way only one ground and power wire on the battery. There is room on the left side of the battery for a relay.

[donens]

Red, thanks so much. Really appreciate the help and the great pics.
Maybe you know, if I would run into problems, like warning lights if I convert markers and signals to LEDs, in addition to the LED auxiliary lights?

[Rednaxs60]

If you change to LED lights, this is for illumination, does not affect the stator. You are reducing the electrical load, the stator still outputs the same power for a given RPM. The dash light for the rear lights may come on, mine has. The regulator/rectifier (RR) controls the electrical system load. If the power generated is more than required the RR shunts the excess power to ground. Shouldn't be an issue. A good option is to install a series RR. This style of RR starts/stops power flow as the electrical system power requirements change.

There is no such animal as a MOSFET RR. A MOSFET is an internal electronic component that replaces other less efficient components. There are only shunt and series RR. Interestingly, it was available in 1960, but is only now becoming known in the motorcycle community, it's not new technology.

[donens]

Thanks again Red! To ensure the lights only come on with ignition on, where would be the best circuit to use. Also, using a fuse panel like the posted pic, any issues with seat interference. The one in the mounting pic looks different, and the square style seems to be a little bulky for that position.

[Rednaxs60]

Thanks again Red! To ensure the lights only come on with ignition on, where would be the best circuit to use. Also, using a fuse panel like the posted pic, any issues with seat interference. The one in the mounting pic looks different, and the square style seems to be a little bulky for that position.

I have my accessory fuse block installed in the rear trunk. The relay that controls power to it is mounted on the forward side of the battery. To trigger the relay find a 12 VDC switched wire, low power draw.

[donens]

This fuse block fits nicely on the left side (looking forward from the back) of the trunk. Still get 2 helmets in the trunk:fuse block 1.jpgDrill a couple of holes in the trunk for wiring access:Wiring Cleanup 1.jpgYou can see where I run the wire through to and out of the trunk.

Add a relay that is triggered from a 12 VDC source. This way only one ground and power wire on the battery. There is room on the left side of the battery for a relay.

A little confused, if the fuse block is in the trunk, what is the block in the attached?

[Rednaxs60]

Ground bar. This way you do not have to splice into the wiring harness.