FJowners.com

General Category => General Discussion => What did you do to your FJ today? => Topic started by: aviationfred on October 08, 2017, 04:57:50 PM

Title: installed front running lights
Post by: aviationfred on October 08, 2017, 04:57:50 PM
My FJ did not come from the factory with front turn signal running lights. I am a firm believer that the more light you have gives you a bit more to be seen by automobile drivers.
I purchased a set of U.S. Spec 3 wire turn signal buckets. On the bike side wiring harness, I tapped into a switch 12v circuit and ran the wires to the signals.


Fred
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: FJmonkey on October 08, 2017, 05:18:22 PM
Looks good Fred.
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: Tuned forks on October 08, 2017, 09:05:11 PM
Fred, are you referring to modifying the factory turn signal buckets or are you referring to the auxiliary light mounted down low on the sides of the bike?  I'm surprised that the light emanating from the factory turn signals is white and not required to be amber.
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: Country Joe on October 08, 2017, 09:47:57 PM
The white running lights are not much different than the LED running lights that are on virtually all cars sold today. Only the turn signals are required to be amber. I honestly think that the triangle of light on the front of later model FJs makes them more visible than a motorcycle with just a headlight lit up. I think it is not by accident that many locomotives have three lights in a triangle configuration. Looking good, Fred.
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: aviationfred on October 09, 2017, 01:04:14 AM
Quote from: Tuned forks on October 08, 2017, 09:05:11 PM
Fred, are you referring to modifying the factory turn signal buckets or are you referring to the auxiliary light mounted down low on the sides of the bike?  I'm surprised that the light emanating from the factory turn signals is white and not required to be amber.


On the Gen 4 FJ's ('91 and on) the front turn signals evolved more like an automotive light fixture. The actual bulb socket is removable from the turn signal buckets. Even though I ordered a set of buckets with the 3 wire sockets, I only needed to swap the sockets. You are correct that the turn signals are too be amber. I have replaced the Amber lenses with smoke colored lenses and the bulbs that I use are LED Switchback bulbs. These are White while being used as running lights and flash Amber for turn signals.

Look at this thread there are photos and links. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16576.15 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16576.15)

In the photo below, the bike has the OEM amber lenses and they are NOT illuminated.


Fred
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: CutterBill on October 09, 2017, 07:55:22 AM
Fred,
what brand of mirrors are those? I thought they might be Emgo but I looked thru the catalog and didn't see anything like those.
Bill
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: Charlie-brm on October 09, 2017, 09:50:20 AM
Quote from: CutterBill on October 09, 2017, 07:55:22 AM
Fred,
what brand of mirrors are those? I thought they might be Emgo but I looked thru the catalog and didn't see anything like those.
Bill

My mirrors look essentially identical to those and they are EMGO. Purchased from a retailer, off the wall, 3 years ago. Without a closer shot of the base, I can't be 100% positive.
I'm not set up with an image source other than Photobucket or I'd post very detailed images. Or is there a work around for that?
In the meantime, I made a post with images on my own Wordpress site: https://blackrivermedia.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/fj-mirror-replacement/ (https://blackrivermedia.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/fj-mirror-replacement/)

Here is the information from the original labels (for some reason there were 2 bar code labels on the package):

59-69971
SUZUKI MIRROR RH BLK SUZ GSXR1000/SV

20-69771
MIRROR BLACK RH
SUZ#56500-16G00
FITS GSXR 1000 '03-'04
SVS 650 '03-'04

Sorry to hijack the post about the running lights  :sorry:
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: aviationfred on October 09, 2017, 06:09:06 PM
Quote from: CutterBill on October 09, 2017, 07:55:22 AM
Fred,
what brand of mirrors are those? I thought they might be Emgo but I looked thru the catalog and didn't see anything like those.
Bill


The mirrors were on the bike when I purchased it. I was told they were from a Suzuki Bandit S. I looked at the mirrors and they are Emgo Mirror


Fred
Title: Re: installed front running lights
Post by: Tuned forks on October 10, 2017, 04:27:58 PM

[/quote]


On the Gen 4 FJ's ('91 and on) the front turn signals evolved more like an automotive light fixture. The actual bulb socket is removable from the turn signal buckets. Even though I ordered a set of buckets with the 3 wire sockets, I only needed to swap the sockets. You are correct that the turn signals are too be amber. I have replaced the Amber lenses with smoke colored lenses and the bulbs that I use are LED Switchback bulbs. These are White while being used as running lights and flash Amber for turn signals.

Look at this thread there are photos and links. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16576.15 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16576.15)

In the photo below, the bike has the OEM amber lenses and they are NOT illuminated.


Fred
[/quote]

I get it now.  Gen 4 owners have more options, plus they can actually buy turn signal lenses.  If anyone knows of a right front 90 lens or complete clear set, I'll buy.
Fred, you certainly have plenty of light up front.  Must be good for riding in inclement conditions.  Have you done a headlight upgrade too?  Seems likely.

Joe