Quick easy headlight modification...

[No1Vic]

While fitting a brighter H4 headlight bulb I decided to drill and fit a LED bulb into the lower headlight 'dome' see pics.... More light as got to be a good thing :-) See how it looks after dark ....

[JTHSPACE]

Neat fit. Is it just a push-fit in the hole? You could probably easily fit a ziplock around the rim trapping an elestic band between the red/black wires? May save it bouncing out during off-roading.

[No1Vic]

The bulb holder is rubber and yes a push fit, made the hole just big enough to be a tight fit, doubt it will fall out :-)

[SpudRider]

Nice job.

Are running lights required for motorcycles in the United Kingdom? They aren't required in the United States, so when my incandescent bulb burns out, I don't plan to replace it. I don't particularly like that little blue dome.

[No1Vic]

Cheers Spud,
I was nicely surprised when I got the RX3 that the headlight didn't come on with the ignition like all my other bikes, although not a legal requirement in the UK some parts of Europe it is so we seem to all get the same spec ie ignition, headlights on....would so like to be able to turn them off at times when I've let a battery run low, getting too old to run and bump start 'em lol

[SpudRider]

U.S. law requires the Zongshen RX3 bikes imported to the United States to have the headlight illuminate whenever the ignition key is turned on. However, additional running lights are not required.

I understand some governments require additional running lights in case the headlamp burns out. That is why many headlights, including the RX3 headlight, have a smaller, additional bulb located inside the headlight, along with the main bulb.

[JTHSPACE]

They are often called "side lights" but, strictly speaking, they are "parking lights". In the U.K. between sunset and sunrise all motor vehicles parked on a road must be parked with the nearside of the vehicle as near to the kerb as possible and the vehicle cannot be parked within 10m of a junction without any lights on.

There are exceptions,

Parking within 10 metres of a junction with lights on
Parking on a one way street
Vehicles dropping off or picking up passengers
Vehicles connected with emergency services
Vehicles connected with building work, repairs to road, cars, sewers, gas pipes etc.

If the road does not have a 30mph limit then parking lights must be used when parking a vehicle in the hours of darkness.

A heavy goods vehicle (over 7.5 tonnes) must be lit and must not cause an obstruction if parked on a road during the hours of darkness.

A failure to comply with these rules will lead to a fixed penalty notice being issued. That being said, I do believe (a) drivers do not know the law anymore and (b) nor do the Police otherwise they could have a field day and be issuing 000's tickets a night

Jeff

[SpudRider]

That is very interesting information. We certainly enjoy the international flavor of the forums here at China Riders. It is very interesting to hear from people all over the world, and to have them contribute their insights, information, and photographs.

[JTHSPACE]

Here is a photograph of my bike parked more than 10 metres from a junction, at night, with no parking light on. I am antiauthoritarian.

[Weldangrind]

Nice job, Vic. I have a bunch of LED lights like that for my caravan / trailer; perhaps I have the correct socket type on hand, which will allow me to do the same install on my TW.

Coincidentally, my TW headlight does not come on until the engine is running.