Modulator location.....

[stvmaier]

I just recieved my headlight AND brake light modulators. Where did you all mount yours and make the connections???? I heard you can access the brake light wiring under the seat.....and I'm going to be mounting the Yamaha passing lamps at the same time (useing the relay), so I assume I'll have to seperate the fairing....and that's Probably where I'll install the headlight modulator. Any tips or advise would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks all!!

[Mikealiasmike]

I have both items on my RSTD.I can't say how to install the headlight mod on a Venture other then making sure you put sensor in location where incipient light won't mess it up and kick on in the middle of the night (another one of those don't ask how I know comments). As for the brake light modulator, it's quite simple and yes, you can tie into brake wires under seat. Wish I had taken pictures to show you but trust me, if I can do it anybody can. Good luck

[Al Bates]

Be careful with the head light modulators. Over the years I found each and every case the person that pulled out in front of them thought it was a turn signal and the bike was turning. Not only that dealing with angry people you are behind is another story. There banded in some states. I'm not saying there bad, just the faxes

[stvmaier]

Thanks for the input, hadn't thought of that.... I went through a list of state by state motorcycle laws and all the ones I looked at said the modulating headlight was legal (daytime only,of course). I could have missed a couple states.

[BoomerCPO]

This Federal law supersedes all state laws and makes motorcycle headlight modulators legal in all 50 states. FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section.

Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a system that conforms to FMVSS 108 (see copy below). Here is a web page with all of Part 571 and all of the subsections; they've now broken it up by section to make it easier to read. The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University also has a nice website where you can read the various sections of the entire Title 49 USC.

 

Code of Federal Regulations

Title 49, Volume 5, Parts 400 to 999

Revised as of October 1, 2000

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 49CFR571.108] [Page 236-307]

TITLE 49 TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER V NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Sec. 571.108 Standard No. 108;

 

Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240

40 cycles per minute.

(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.

© The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 deg. Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in

Figure 9

.

(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally, each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

 

Here is a copy of the relevant section of Title 49, United States Code, Chapter 301 Motor Vehicle Safety. This law prohibits states from forbidding a system that complies with FMVSS 108. The full document can be found at this link.

 

TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE CHAPTER 301 MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY SUBCHAPTER I GENERAL

Sec. 30101. Purpose and policy.

Sec. 30102. Definitions.

Sec. 30103. Relationship to other laws.

UNIFORMITY OF REGULATIONS The Secretary of Transportation may not prescribe a safety regulation related to a motor vehicle subject to subchapter II of chapter 105 of this title that differs from a motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the Secretary may prescribe, for a motor vehicle operated by a carrier subject to subchapter II of chapter 105, a safety regulation that imposes a higher standard of performance after manufacture than that required by an applicable standard in effect at the time of manufacture.

PREEMPTION

When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter.

A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter.

ANTITRUST LAWS This chapter does not exempt from the antitrust laws conduct that is unlawful under those laws; or prohibit under the antitrust laws conduct that is lawful under those laws.

WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS AND ADDITIONAL LEGAL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES Sections 30117(b), 30118-30121, 30166(f), and 30167(a) and (b) of this title do not establish or affect a warranty obligation under a law of the United States or a State. A remedy under those sections and sections 30161 and 30162 of this title is in addition to other rights and remedies under other laws of the United States or a State.

COMMON LAW LIABILITY Compliance with a motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter does not exempt a person from liability at common law.

[DKleven]

Installed mine in the headlight, very simple,just plug it in, automatic off at night and does not work on low beam........if want it off just go to low beam and it is off, simple..... the rear fits in the area behind the license plate, just splice a couple wires, pack it in the plate mount and there you are, ready to ride.....it is allowed in all the states, no problem..... I feel very comfortable with it on, much more visible........there are times that I turn it off, such as riding in a group if I am not in the front.......It is like anything of course, personal choice..

[stvmaier]

Thanks everyone!! I just installed the brake light modulator.Mounted it under the rider's seat, spliced into the wires right there....eassy to get at and out of the elements!!! Now I'm going to split the fairing:confused07:,never done that before.....gonna follow the directions on this site.....wish me luck!!!

[Wirkinman]

Installed mine in the headlight, very simple,just plug it in, automatic off at night and does not work on low beam........if want it off just go to low beam and it is off, simple..... the rear fits in the area behind the license plate, just splice a couple wires, pack it in the plate mount and there you are, ready to ride.....it is allowed in all the states, no problem..... I feel very comfortable with it on, much more visible........there are times that I turn it off, such as riding in a group if I am not in the front.......It is like anything of course, personal choice..

 

Sorry All,

I'm new and just got a RSV.

I have a Back off headlight light modulator that I want to install.

I purchased the Signal Dynamics Headlight modulator ( [ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T5RUDQ/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and their plug and play harness ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068FZ4HU/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame] )

 

My question is: Is it necessary to split the fairing to install it?

I really don't see a way to get to the headlight plug.

 

Thanks in Advance

Jes

[djh3]

Well you can access the plug to change the light without splitting the faring. But for your purpose you are going to do some more work like run a harness, install the relay and a few other bits, they will need to be neatly tucked away and the faring is the place to do it. Its not a big deal, I use to cringe at the thought and first couple times was scary. Now its a 10 min job. Look up in tech section faring or split faring. Take your time. If you have the passing lights they will probably present the most grief, lay and old towel or something on the fender so they dont scratch it while resting on it.

[Rider838]

as a motorcycle mechanic I would not recommend a head light modulator it taxes the charging sys to much over time plan on a stator and regulator. check out this alternative here is a link I sell these and I am a user ( is there a commercial in there some where)

http://www.hyperlites.com/

 

Rider838

2012 RSV

1996 1200 custom

2003 sv1000:

[dacheedah]

reminder when reassembling, you torque the 5mm screws to 35 inch pounds or 2.9 foot pounds

the 6mm screw is 80 inch pounds or about 6.5 ft lbs

 

over tightening is as bad or worse than under tightening.

[Wirkinman]

I installed my Head-light Modulator and did a garage door opener mod while I was at it.

Ended up splitting the fairing to do the installs. Everything went smoothly.

 

 

Got my bike about a month ago and already added the following..

A head-light Modulator,

A brake-light Modulator,

Garage Door Opener Mod,

A Cycle Mate CM2000, Pull behind trailer for riding to work.