Spots - Turn them on and keep them on!

Ever wonder why your spots turn off when you switch to your high beams on your Harley-Davidson? If you're like me, more light equals more visibility! I want to see as far down the road as I possibly can at night. Read on, this article with the help of my good friend, Steve Roth from Topeka Harley-Davidson, will show you how you can easily change how your Spots work with your high-beams. What you will get is flooding of light at night, high-beams plus spots working in tandem with each other, complementing one another, providing the added light every motorcyclist wants and needs for safety! All photos can be "clicked-on" for a larger image.

Tools you will need; a motorcycle having spots, electrical tape, 18-14 AWG Tap Splice Connector (ACE Hardware, $3.79 box of 6), Phillips screw driver, pliers and about 10 minutes of time.

Like my Tour-Pak Mounted helmet locks (earlier article in this blog), this project is so easy a caveman can do it, or in my case a monkey! Again, if you have easy, do-it-yourself projects to make riding more enjoyable and safety, please pass them on!

With Phillips screw driver remove screw located at the bottom of outside headlight trim ring. This will expose the Headlight and 3 screws that keep the mounting ring and Headlight attached to the motorcycle.


Remove 3 Phillips screws that hold the mounting ring and Headlight to the motorcycle. NOTE - be careful not to unscrew the larger Phillips screws that adjust the light.
Carefully remove the Headlight from the motorcycle and unplug the wiring harness from the back of the light.


Carefully expose the wiring harness by pulling it out so that you can work on it. Look closely at the wires, you will see a white, black and yellow wire that attached to the Headlight. You will use the yellow wire in a minute. Located higher up the wiring harness you will see a orange/white stripe wire. This orange/white strip wire you will also use.



Using a Tap Splice Connector (blue 18-14 AWG) place the yellow wire from the Headlight and the orange/white stripe wire into the channels on the Tap Splice Connector. NOTE - Do not cut these wires! As you close the connector the metal in the connector will splice the insulation coding and make a connection with both wires. You will need a pliers to crimp the connector thus completing the connection of both wires. Close the connector and wrap with electrical tap, helping form a weather resistance seal.

Your wiring is all done! Hook your Headlight up, using the 3 mounting screws, mount the Headlight back into place.

Install the chrome trim ring and attach the Phillips screw on the bottom of the trim ring. NOTE - you may want to test your lights before mounting the Trim Ring (just to make sure this Caveman followed all the instructions above!).

Now, when you use your High Beam, if you previously had your Spots on, then they will now STAY on even with your brights! I found this made a huge difference in seeing at night! Your field of view is not only further down the path of travel, but also WIDER! This added width, provides seeing past the right fog line and into the ditches where deer hide in wait for the passing motorcyclist.

Remember keep practicing your skills and be a safer, more skilled, smarter rider! Any of these photos can be "clicked-on" to enlarge. If you have any comments/questions make sure you respond by leaving comments on this blog.

"If I Had To Explain......

.........You wouldn't understand." Where have you heard this saying before? I have had the pleasure of riding many different motorcycles since getting back on one in 2002. Many of them have been Harley-Davidson's and others consisted of Honda's, Yamaha's and BMW's.

My latest "test" bike a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 with all the goodies except for rider airbag and CB radio ran like a Swiss watch. Many call the GL1800 a "recliner on wheels", after riding one for the past several months and thousands of miles, I refer it to a rocket on wheels that can take the twisties like a sport bike.

What I loved about the Wing; adjustable windscreen, heated grips, seat and floorboard vents (for those early mornings and late nights) with it's Comfort Package, ABS Brakes, on-board GPS, rider adjustable clutch and front brake levers, frame-mounted fairing and 111 ci/120 hp 6 cylinder motor, and low center of gravity making it a very easy "big" bike that is well balanced.

What fell shorter than I would have thought; lack of air movement on the rider side of the massive fairing (it was every bit as warm as any air-cooled motorcycle I have ridden), sport-bike foot positioning (I always felt cramped and I am only 5'11"), center stand (that I never used because I simply could not get it up), lack of CB radio (though you could order one, installed around $1200), poor gas mileage (the best was 41+ which I was happy with, but typically it was 38 mpg), this may have been due to my "wow this is fun on the on-ramps to I-94 style of riding (remember, a rocket ship on 2-wheels?).

Well, out with the old and in with the new. The term "Limited" has many meanings. "Limited" within a business might refer to having a smaller number available to the consumer or being around for a shorter period of time or may include additional sought after accessories. Those that know me well, know it was only a matter of time before I returned home, home to the motor company that has been making dreams come true since 1903, Harley-Davidson. Have you ever seen Elvis Presley, Peter Fonda or Mickey Rourke ride anything other than a Harley!?

Working with Capital City Harley-Davidson in Madison, WI. while teaching Rider's Edge one weekend, I decided it was time to get on a HOG! What I originally selected for our "next" bike was a Merlot Sunglo/Vivid Black Ultra classic with the 96 cu in 6-spd motor. My only request, it had to have ABS Brakes. The dealership placed this on a wish-list with the Motor Company and after a few weeks decided they would take all the colored parts off a non-ABS model and place them on one with ABS. Well I had second thoughts about this, asked about the Ultra Classic Limited models and price. I was informed they recently (that same day) sold the cherry Red Sunglo/Merlot Sunglo, however had the Psychedelic Purple/Vivid Black available (otherwise known as the "Barney" Bike as in the kid's popular TV show from the early 90's) and a Cool Blue Pearl/Vivid Black. Other color selections for 2011 included Vivid Black, Dark Candy Root Beer/Light Candy Root Beer and Apple Green/Vivid Black. I looked at the Cool Blue Pearl model and knew as soon as I saw it, it was going to be in our garage soon!

The Limited comes with Chrome 28-spoke cast aluminum wheels, the 103 cu in motor, heated grips, luggage rack, chrome rings around the gauges, special gauge package (different from Ultra Classic models), limited edition paint colors and name plates indicating it is a Limited.

After working the deal with Glenn, within a week I was back on a Harley! It was kinda funny the first time I lifted my feet off the ground, I didn't find the floor-boards immediately because they are set further forward from the Wings. The first right-turn I took from a stop sign had me looking to find the directional switches all over again (on the Harley you have one for each thumb!). It took me a week of riding before I found 6th gear (not that I didn't know I had one, the break-in was 500 miles).

Cathy doesn't think this will be my last bike, but I so badly want to prove her wrong! This is our 6th touring motorcycle since 2002! We have owned a 2000 HD Electric Glide Standard (Vivid Black), 2000 Ultra Classic (Suede Green/Vivid Black), 2008 Ultra Classic (Vivid Black), 2008 Road Glide (Vivid Black), 2008 GL1800 (Titanium) and now the 2011 Limited. Many of our friends have already welcomed us back! I (we) are happy to be back, back on a Harley! Pictures coming soon!

By-the-way, Limited also indicates, only available for a short period of time? Harley-Davidson released the FLHTK in 2010. Now in it's 2nd year of production, both with the 103 cu in, I think (for what it's worth) this will be the last year. Since HD now offers the 103 on the Road Glide Ultra and the Road King Classic, next year we probably will see the entire touring line of Harley's sporting the 103! Does this mean the police motors will then have the Screamin' Eagle 110's!

Annual MOR and RavenStone

Just back from the Annual MOR (Men Only Ride) or OMR (Old Men Ride) November 13 & 14 to St, Charles, IL. It was decided a few years back that rather than miss a televised Packer Game, the MOR would take place during Green Bay's bye-week. This was an easy decision back when bye-week's usually took place earlier than mid November!

MOR was scheduled and promoted via Face Book. Once again though there would only be one other brave soul to ride in unpredictable fall weather, I'll call him "C". Oh, others "said" they might join in on the fun, but when it came time to putting on rain gear, long johns and gauntlet gloves no one other than "C" and me braved the elements.

MOR was created as a "one last ride" before putting the bikes away from the long Wisconsin winter. Since I don't hunt, this was my outlet away from home. Each year stops at Woodstock Harley-Davidson and then Zylstra Harley-Davidson were planned. For the past two years I have received a $10 birthday coupon from Zylstra. Last year a ride was scheduled to simply buy a new HD hat, if I had to explain, you wouldn't understand! Besides I saved $10 on the hat with the coupon! This year I needed a battery trickle charger.

In reviewing upcoming events at the two dealerships,I saw that Woodstock's HOG Chapter was hosting a food drive and serving a complete Thanksgiving Dinner and Zylstra was honoring our Veterans and the USO with a ride later meeting at Alley 64 downtown st. Charles. For work I needed to stop at Hemingway's Port of Call in Lake Geneva regarding a GYR container. After meeting Steve the owner and discussing business, placement and use of the GYR container, "C" and I were back on the bikes headed south to Woodstock and a turkey dinner. We rode in the pouring rain from Lake Geneva all the way to Woodstock, but the temperatures were holding steady at 50 degrees.

The parking of Woodstock Harley-Davidson lot was full of cars, not motorcycles! There was one other fool that rode his motorcycle (lol)! It was difficult finding an open parking spot. Once inside and ridding ourselves of wet rain gear, the next step was hot coffee. Next we found the turkey dinner! The HOG Chapter served ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, many different fall casseroles, stuffing, rolls and desserts like you can only dream of! There was even an apple pie from the Elegant Farmer "baked in the bag"! After an hour or so we rolled ourselves to the parking lot and were off riding towards St. Charles and Zylstra Harley-Davidson, remember I had a $10 coupon to spend!

Zylstra was not nearly as crowded as Woodstock, but then again we were late getting there and the USO Ride had already left. We were later told that around 20 bikers participated in the ride. Zylstra served virgin bloody mary's prior to the ride leaving, along with sweet rolls and huge muffins. After selecting my battery tender, "C" and I were on our way to the Country Inn & Suites in St. Charles.

We met a couple in the hot tub from the Chicago area who were in town simply to visit Geneva Wine Seller on Sunday. They were in their late 20's and very easy going. Another couple we met he is a Lieutenant for Bloomington Police Department. We started talking motorcycles and found out he and his wife own a brand new Ural Russian motorcycle with side car with the optional dual drive wheels (both the rear motorcycle tire and side car tire power the bike).

After breakfast on Sunday we left West on E Main Street to Highway 31 along the western shore of the Fox River. We continued north through an old city of yesteryear named, Algonquin. Old homes and even a trolley historic area! A large deer was seen about 50 yds in front of us run across the road. Thank God we were paying attention and speed was well under the posted limits. Sunday's weather was 10+ degrees colder than Saturday and very windy. Temperatures started at 39 degrees and never reached more than 43!

As we neared Harvard, IL I remembered that "C" had found a castle during either the 1st of 2nd MOR. We entered Harvard on HWY 14 and had to turn around to get onto HWY 23 south of town. It isn't merry old England or France, but Harvard has a RavenStone Castle. This was a photo op that couldn't be missed. After a few pictures we continued north towards Wisconsin.

Another MOR is history and it just might be time to winterize the Wing for the season! Between the Harley-Davidson Road Glide and buying the Goldwing GL1800 in Orlando it was a 12,000 mile riding season! This was the most miles ridden in a year! A wonderful riding season! Thanks to everyone for making it enjoyable. Please keep Randy & Lynette Dunn and Bill Murphy in your prayers as they recover from motorcycle crashes.