Tcmalker's Dual Healight mod?

[tcmalker]

Tcmalker's Dual Headlight mod?

I've read up on pretty much all the dual headlight mods and decided it's time to do it. But I don't like BD43's way because it's way too involved. I'm not even sure he's still selling his wires.

Before I get flamed, let me explain how I plan to use my headlights: I don't plan on EVER using the high beams. I am contend with just both low beams on. So this shouldn't affect the electrical loads assuming I don't turn high beam on.

Knowing how I'm going to use the headlights, do you think the following would work? Let's call this tcmalker's dual headlight mod:

My solution is to just relocate the connector from the right (high beam) socket to the empty (low beam) socket. I haven't try it yet, but shouldn't both low beam go on when I hit the high beam switch? If this works there is not much in putting it back to default, just plug the wire back in high beam socket.

Any electrical engineers out there? Would this work? If not, I'm just going to do Gand's mod. But I like the idea of having a mod named after me.

 

[lazamus69]

You're crazy not to use your high beams during the day.....My lights(HID) on highbeam increase my visibilty to oncoming cars....you know the ones that turn left in front of you because they "didnt see you"....Anything that helps cagers see you is a good thing in my books....:thumbup:

 

[tcmalker]

You're crazy not to use your high beams during the day.....My lights(HID) on highbeam increase my visibilty to oncoming cars....you know the ones that turn left in front of you because they "didnt see you"....Anything that helps cagers see you is a good thing in my books....:thumbup:

I ride with high beams all the time in daytime. But at night I'm sick (feel guilty) of seeing the guys in front of me putting their hand up to block the high beam aimed right at their eyes. I dont' think it would be a good idea to piss off some cager like that, you don't know what he's gonna do.

To me it's about the balancing act, simplicity vs functionality. To me this mod (if works) simplicity = 10, functionality = 8.

p.s. I'm not cwazy

 

[Erci]

While I wouldn't wanna give up my high beams, the use of constant-on during day time is highly debatable.
One of the bad things about having them on all the time is that oncoming cars will never see your turn signals.
Don't want to start a debate in this thread on that subject though.

tcmalker, sorry I have no answer for you. I did BD43's mod .. bought the harness from him and it was super simple to install.
I'm sure if you decide to go that route you can just PM him and he'll tell you if he still makes those things.

 

[RJ2112]

Re: Tcmalker's Dual Headlight mod?

The only problem with moving the high beam contact to the H7 socket (lo beam only) is that you would then light off both elements in the same bulb, when you went to high beam.

The bulb would be much hotter than it is designed to be, and may melt the socket.

The extra line available, because the wiring is set up to support a Euro left side of the road configuration. This means an extra properly wired and fused line is available if you want to light the H4 low beam element. It's best, if you can switch between elements, rather than end up with 3 elements lit off (H7 plus both hi and lo H4)

If you want more light, and want to do it in the most efficient manner you can, skip all of this and go straight to HID Bi Xenon projectors.

The reflectors in the H4 and H7 side are focused differently, and the light pattern for the low beam on the H4 side is not focused properly. It makes a diffused pattern. I have the opinion that the effort does not result in the best possible light source when you light off the low beam of the H4 bulb.

Going to the HID projectors skips all of the bad things, produces focused properly aimed light patterns, and consumes less wattage than any other setup.

The only thing to add to that, is the fork springs also have an effect on where the headlamps are aimed. Weak springs mean the pattern can be aimed perfectly, without a rider on board, and be too low when they are actually used. The front will compress more than you'd think, and that will hose up the aim when you need them.

 

[Motogiro]

There is a dimmer relay controlled by the ECU. it 'unloads' the low beam filament when the high beam is turned on. This saves valuable current when the low beam is essentially not needed.

I'm not understanding the logic behind never wanting High beams but off the top O my head. One way would be to run an H4 in each eye. (don't know if they physically fit in both) With a jumper from low beam to low beam. disconnect the high beam wire from the high beam filament and jump it to the low beam wire.
When the dimmer relay cuts the low beam current the high beam current is applied to the low beam filaments. But?????

 

[lazamus69]

The dual light mod is easy to do without taking the ability to use your high beam away.....gets me thinkin your confusing simplicity with laziness....:Flip:

p.s. im reallty not a dik, just baffles my mind why someone would make their daytime riding less safe cuz they dont feel like spending MAYBE a half hour longer doing a mod

 

[lazamus69]

While I wouldn't wanna give up my high beams, the use of constant-on during day time is highly debatable.
One of the bad things about having them on all the time is that oncoming cars will never see your turn signals.
Don't want to start a debate in this thread on that subject though.

F the turn signals,many a time the car never sees YOU...Thats whats important to me...anyways signals are over-rated..

 

[Goop]

p.s. im reallty not a dik, just baffles my mind why someone would make their daytime riding less safe cuz they dont feel like spending MAYBE a half hour longer doing a mod

Agreed...the bd43 mod is pretty straight forward and was the first mod I did to the bike beside frame sliders. I would say that the bd43 harness is on the top of the list as an easy mod. It's a well-made part too. :thumbup:

 

[Motogiro]

While
One of the bad things about having them on all the time is that oncoming cars will never see your turn signals.
Don't want to start a debate in this thread on that subject though.

Too Late! :Flip: :rof: I think it depends on how they're aimed and how good your turn signals are. I like keeping my turn signals on stalks and separated for good visibility.

F the turn signals,many a time the car never sees YOU...Thats whats important to me...anyways signals are over-rated..

I think signals are over rated in the sense that most of the drivers here in Socal must be psychics because few of them use their directionals and expect you to know which way they're going. The other ones see you using the directional as a weakness. "Hey look at this dummy telling me to hit the gas before he changes lane!" They think your cutting in line on them at the check out.

Still I like to give them the benefit....

 

[Erci]

I think it depends on how they're aimed and how good your turn signals are. I like keeping my turn signals on stalks and separated for good visibility.

My streetfighter conversion put the signals right next to my headlights. They would get completely washed out with high beams on.

I think signals are over rated in the sense that most of the drivers here in Socal must be psychics because few of them use their directionals and expect you to know which way they're going. The other ones see you using the directional as a weakness. "Hey look at this dummy telling me to hit the gas before he changes lane!" They think your cutting in line on them at the check out.

Still I like to give them the benefit....

NYC drivers are like that too... awful. In NJ, people are pretty good about using their blinkers properly.
Whenever I approach intersections and there's an oncoming car, I always assume that it will be making a left and cutting me off (signal or not). Having highs on would not change my approach... 2 fingers over brake lever and ready to stop.
Frankly, I find it annoying when oncoming motorcycles have high beams on, but I won't tell any of you not to do it. Whatever works for you.

 

[FB400]

I went with the bd43 mod AND ddm tuning HID kits. The h4 hi/lo is essentially the same in both hi and low settings. It does sort of scatter light so the comment about the projectors is very true but I wasn't about to take off the fairing and pry apart the headlight to install them.

All in all I like the stock, professional looking install of the dual headlight mod. As others have said it really is easy to do and worth the small amount of effort. For an easy low buck boost of lumens the ddm kits are really awesome and super easy to install.. my favorite mod so far.

Oh.. and to the OP, while having a mod named after you would be cool, I think you have to think it through. Doing the mod the way you describe could, ahem, cause people to say negatively - oh I tcmalkered it

 

[tcmalker]

success! see

http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-mods/35015-tcmalkers-dual-headlight-mod.html

I started a new thread with pictures. Also I didn't like the misspelling (healight). Hey FB400, they could also be saying it in a positive way, as in "Yes! I tcmalkered it"

But seriously, I don't see anything wrong with this. At worst you lose the ability for high beam. I think it's better than Gand's methods because my method eliminated the possibility of having two filiments on at the same time. Also you can switch back to stock configuration in seconds. Also my method is the only one which has the option of one or two low beams.

 

[mindfogg]

Mindfogg read Tcmalker's other thread and found it closed. Mindfogg likes the idea of having both eyes open on the FZ6 (2009 in the garage) as it makes it look complete, like his 2003 FZ1. He also think the bike needs a lower fairing to make it look complete, that is why he had to get a hold of Yamaha Canada to buy factory plastic for the FZ6 (and overseas for a lower for the FZ1) as Yamaha in the US doesn't sell it to FZ6 owners????
Ok, I like Tcmalker's mod as it is quick and easy to do, and undo, but I like the high beams at night. The light output seems to be ok, but I have never rode the FZ6 to work at night, the FZ1 gets the nod for that. So since I don't ride the FZ6 to much, as i got it for the kid who doesn't ride it much, I have yet to do any mod and just ride the FZ1 who puts out great light. Will the FZ6 accommodate two bulbs with both high and low beams? Are the reflectors in an '09 made to take two low/high beam bulbs?

 

[MattR302]

The previous owner of my bike also did a "quick and dirty" dual headlight mod. He simply spliced a 2' piece of extra wire to the green? wire in the left handlebar harness, and ran that to the bulb connector. Electrically, this is doing the same thing as BD's headlight mod, but not as clean. You can kinda see the extra wire in this picture, it's electrical-taped to the harness.

That being said, the left reflector is designed for low beam, the right for high beam. With the right side on lowbeam, although it balances out the look of the bike cosmetically, it produces very little usable light. You can try it, find a dark street, put both on lowbeam, unplug the right connector and see the light, and then plug it back in and unplug the left connector. In my opinion, the way the OP did his mod, it's not worth losing the night-time visibility by getting rid of the high beam altogether.

 

[MDManley10]

Laza: Can you give me the mod "name" or post a like to instructions for it. I've been searching the forum and it seems there are quite a few dual headlight mods now. I really would like to have three options low single, low double, high If you happen to know which one that is. Thanks and Gig Em'

 

[DavesFZ]

I can't remember if there's an official mod named for that setup, but I think a bd43 mod type cable with a manual switch spliced in would do that for you. That would be a good setup if you live in an area where cops care about 2 headlights.

 

[JoeSTL]

Laza: Can you give me the mod "name" or post a like to instructions for it. I've been searching the forum and it seems there are quite a few dual headlight mods now. I really would like to have three options low single, low double, high If you happen to know which one that is. Thanks and Gig Em'

I don't see the point of having the low single headlight on, if you're able to do the low double headlight. Double your visibility isn't a bad thing. The bd43 mod is simple to install (I'm was a complete novice when I did mine), gives you the dual low beam, plus the high beam when you flip the switch.

 

[Motogiro]

The main issue is when you activate the low beam you want it to shut off when the high beam is activated. If you activate the low beam in the dual filament H4 lamp and then use the high beam, both filaments are active within one glass envelope. This will cause the bulb to fail prematurely and can overheat and melt the plug. The standard H4, 55/65 watt lamp is designed to operate the 2 filaments discretely.

 

[chroline]

I don't see the point of having the low single headlight on, if you're able to do the low double headlight. Double your visibility isn't a bad thing. The bd43 mod is simple to install (I'm was a complete novice when I did mine), gives you the dual low beam, plus the high beam when you flip the switch.

I've read the pro & cons of tcmalker's dual headlight mod and it seems it's the only mod that allows you to either have one OR two low beams on. Why is this important? This is good because the FZ6 is notorious for its inability to supply current power. If you have accessories such as heated gear for example, you might not have enough juice with both headlights on. Of course there's downside to everything, you do lose high beam. But in the case of bd43's mod, you have NO OPTION to turn off the other low beams.

So, in summary, if you have a lot of accessories on your FZ6 and would like to have dual headlights, I suggest looking at tcmalker's.