ADDING DRIVING LIGHTS TO BREVA 750

[timonbik]

I want to supplement the very poor headlight on my 2008 Breva 750 with some LED driving lights.   Anyone know if there is a spare switched hot wire that can be used for the install.  Any suggestion on wiring these up would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tim

[Kiwi_Roy]

I don't think there are any spare circuits. I don't know if there is a difference between the 750 & 850 Brevas
Perhaps you could consider running a new one from the battery to the headlight area, it's not a bad idea to split the lights into two circuits.
Adding headlight relays is another option to bypass the small wires to the dimmer switch Voltage drop is critical for incandescents.
A third option would be to switch to LEDs, they don't need as much Voltage, typically 9
Notice how the headlight supply goes up through the ignition switch and back before feeding the light fuse, thats not too smart.

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/schematics/2004_750_Breva.gif

[Moto]

I want to supplement the very poor headlight on my 2008 Breva 750 with some LED driving lights.   Anyone know if there is a spare switched hot wire that can be used for the install.  Any suggestion on wiring these up would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tim

I'm pretty sure there is no spare switched hot wire.

As for suggestions, I'd run a new circuit from the battery to a new relay, and from the relay to both lights, then to ground. Then I'd run a wire from the one going to component 48 in the wiring diagram, the Front Parking Light, to one side of the activating circuit in the relay, and the other side of that circuit to a switch to ground. The reason for powering that circuit from the Front Parking Light circuit is to prevent the driving lights from being left on accidentally when the engine is stopped.

This handlebar switch, which I used in adding driving lights to my Buccaneer, works well:

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Handlebar-Headlight-Waterproof-Motorcycles/dp/B07GT2GMGC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=25AUH9S3B0QZ0&keywords=motorcycle+handlebar+switches+7%2F8&qid=1555200672&s=gateway&sprefix=motorcycle+handlebar+switch%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-6

I'm not sure from your question how familiar you are such installations in general. It pays to think it through ahead of time, for sure.

Moto

[Kiwi_Roy]

I wonder what size the wire is from the fuses at (22) to the switch (29), I assume (29) is near the headstock and its fed by a 30 Amp fuse.
If you were to add a pair of 10 Amp fuses and pair of relays at (29) one for High, one for Low I bet you would boost the light brightness by at least 10%
The relay coils would be driven from the existing light wires and the new wires run from relays to the lamps.
In making changes to the lights don't forget about improving the grounds, I always run around the headstock to a ground point on the main frame or engine
As well as the pair of relays add another fuse for the Auxiliary lights, I like the look of that switch Moto suggested, there's no point in adding a relay to LEDs

The 10 Amp fuse at (29) should ensure that an accidental short won't rob you of all lights otherwise you could run a new circuit from the battery to the Auxillary switch.

Here's a link to the relays as used in many of the Guzzis of 2000 and beyond, they don't have a mounting clip but you can make one from thin aluminum, don't look for a socket but just terminate direct to the pins with standard and the smaller spade connectors. you can also just tape them up and stuff into the headlight bucket
https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/omron-electronics-inc-emc-div/G8HN-1C2T-R-DC12/Z2247-ND/765512  This same relay will be available in many auto stores.

[Muzz]

I have toyed with actually replacing the bulb with an LED replacement.  I am pretty sure the B750 has an H4 connection.

I looked at some some on AliExpress; get a pair for about $14NZ.  Cheap enough for a trial. The only thing I had doubts about is whether there was enough clearance at the back of the headlight shell for the mount.

Some time back someone (Leafman60?) did some trials with LED bulbs  and they made a huge difference.

[Wayne Orwig]

The city light, or whatever that extra tiny bulb is in the headlight bucket, is what I tap into. It is switched. I of course do not put the load on that. I use that switched line to drive a relay which is tapped off of the battery with a fuse. LED lighting is not a huge load, but still enough that a relay is a good idea.

[timonbik]

Where is the easiest place to tap into the city light, inside the headlight bucket or is there an easier place.

Tim

[Moto]

Where is the easiest place to tap into the city light, inside the headlight bucket or is there an easier place.

Tim

Wayne's recommendation is what I was trying to say. The best place is inside the bucket, I believe, since it is out of the weather there. If you tap it outside of the bucket you'll have to fish it out of the tubing-wrapped cable of wires exiting the bucket, needlessly compromising it.

Moto

[Wayne Orwig]

Where is the easiest place to tap into the city light, inside the headlight bucket or is there an easier place.

I tap in, inside the bucket. I put the relay in there also. Run a fused battery wire and ground into the bucket, then out to the aux lights. Also run out a small wire pair to a switch.

[drdwb]

I put on a Vetter Quick Silver fairing on my wife’s 750, it has a rectangular head light so I found a replacement LED bulb to fit the housing. No problem even on dim she is often getting flashed by on coming signaling her to  dim. The improvement was amazing. We also put LED bulbs in the turn signal and running lights( running lights used the power from the small running light bulb). The decreased power usage allowed us to install heated grips, she’s happy. The only problem I still have is the flashers are too fast and I haven’t spent a lot of time trying to figure the fix for that yet. I did look into finding a LED bulb for the original headlight, but I read different postings suggesting the heat put out by the LED bulb might be too much for the housing to handle.
 

[Perazzimx14]

If you have a tractor supply near you they have a nice cube 1200 lumen LED that works a treat for driving lights. There is also a wiring harness that you can attach right to the battery with a rocker on/off switch. I'd suggest running it the power through a key powered relay.

I've been running these lights for a while and am impressed with the quality and affordability

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/traveller-wiring-install-kit?cm_vc=-10005

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/traveller-3-in-off-road-light

[malik]

I added a set of Denali D2s to the V7C (not your cheapest option), and was so pleased with the result, I've also put them on the V7 Special & the 1100 Sport (which needs all the help it can get). Comes with a wiring loom, fused, with relays, and a seperate switch. Tapped it in to the high beam wire (I could never get the low beam running light option to work, so just linked to high beam). Huge difference at night on high beam.





But do see to your earths first, and relays for the headlights are a good idea. There are kits around, notably from  Eastern Beaver, should you not be able to get your own efforts working.

See the light,

Mal.

[Bulldog9]

I've got these on my Stornello and have a second set for some future location. Well made for the $$. Bill Hagan has them on all his bikes. I run mine off the GPS circuit, super low draw.

https://www.amazon.com/WEISIJI-Motorcycle-Driving-Lights-Motorcycles/dp/B01MDJK1AJ/ref=asc_df_B01MDJK1AJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089957955&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9953474261812694005&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008185&hvtargid=pla-570924450718&psc=1

[malik]

I've got these on my Stornello and have a second set for some future location. Well made for the $$. Bill Hagan has them on all his bikes. I run mine off the GPS circuit, super low draw.

https://www.amazon.com/WEISIJI-Motorcycle-Driving-Lights-Motorcycles/dp/B01MDJK1AJ/ref=asc_df_B01MDJK1AJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312089957955&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9953474261812694005&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008185&hvtargid=pla-570924450718&psc=1

When I do it again, I'd get these. Functionally identical to the Denalis, it seems, but at a tenth of the price, or more, and with a better switch.