LeMans Hi Beam Flash Wiring Question

[Xlratr]

A friend of mine has a problem with the passing / high beam switch on his Le Mans. Can anybody answer this question or give some input? The bike is 300km away so I can't have a look, and I'm no electrician anyway. Following is what's puzzling him:

When operating the Passing/High beam switch, the relay (No. 17) makes a click, but the light doesn't work. According to the wiring diagram, the relay (17) is activated by the grey wire to connector 85 (switch to earth). At connection 30/51 there is 12v supply (checked). It looks like the relay should then supply 12v from 30/51 to connection 87 (green wire). BUT, the green wire doesn't lead to the high beam, it goes to low beam.
When Low beam is switched on, there is 12v at connection 87. What is the point of the relay? Low Beam is always on, and activating the relay leads power back to the Low Beam?
Is he reading the plan wrong?

Electrical problems are always difficult to solve remotely, but any comments are welcome.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I guess the designer thought that High beam was normal. You could switch it over or add a pair of diodes so that both beams light up even if the lights are switched off.

Update:
Sorry, the schematic is too blurry to work with but you are correct the flash relay goes to the low beam.

It might be a little hard to switch the green wire over to the high beam (from 6 to 5 at the 12 way terminal strip)

I'm surprised he wants to use the flash function, I thought that was a European thing.

Update:
           I looked at several other schematics, the relay called "High beam Flash Relay" is always wired to the Low beam filament, that's Luigi for you  ;D

[Xlratr]

I'm surprised he wants to use the flash function, I thought that was a European thing.

Thanks very much for the feedback Roy. We ARE in Europe by the way!,☺


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[Xlratr]

I guess the designer thought that High beam was normal. You could switch it over or add a pair of diodes so that both beams light up even if the lights are switched off.

Update:
Sorry, the schematic is too blurry to work with but you are correct the flash relay goes to the low beam.

It might be a little hard to switch the green wire over to the high beam (from 6 to 5 at the 12 way terminal strip)

I'm surprised he wants to use the flash function, I thought that was a European thing.

Update:
           I looked at several other schematics, the relay called "High beam Flash Relay" is always wired to the Low beam filament, that's Luigi for you  ;D

Roy, thanks again for mailing your recommended adjustments to the wiring. Looks like you found the solution. ☺.
It's amazing that the factory wired it that way.
Cheers
John


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[Idontwantapickle]

Flashing the low beam was the intention of the original design since it was not required to have the light on during the day in much of the world back then. BUT.... just rewire it to the high beam instead of low from the relay.
Hunter

[Xlratr]

Flashing the low beam was the intention of the original design since it was not required to have the light on during the day in much of the world back then..

Yes, it's obviously intentional, although it does seem strange. I remember that the 70s era Honda's I used to own had the flash to high beam., and I thought all motorcycles (and cars) were set up that way.

John



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[Idontwantapickle]

Yes, it's obviously intentional, although it does seem strange. I remember that the 70s era Honda's I used to own had the flash to high beam., and I thought all motorcycles (and cars) were set up that way.

John



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Guzzis of that era are the only ones I can recall being that way. Here in the states they were wired for the lights to stay on all the time. Many were "fixed" so that the lights could be turned off for starting, servicing etc. But on those bikes unless someone changed the flash wiring to the hi beam all you would get was a tiny bit brighter low beam.
I hope your friend enjoys that Guzzi. It's a great bike to ride as intended!

[Xlratr]

Guzzis of that era are the only ones I can recall being that way. Here in the states they were wired for the lights to stay on all the time. Many were "fixed" so that the lights could be turned off for starting, servicing etc. But on those bikes unless someone changed the flash wiring to the hi beam all you would get was a tiny bit brighter low beam.
I hope your friend enjoys that Guzzi. It's a great bike to ride as intended!

Thanks for the background info. Every two years, a vehicle needs testing (safety inspection) here in Germany, and each time they point out that the pass/flash doesn't work and he needs to fix it. This year he finally decided to fix it, but couldn't believe the wiring diagram. Knowing it should be like that explains it.

The bike is ridden very much as it was intended to be.☺

John


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[dilligaf]

Back in the day, many-many years ago only parking lights only were used within the city limits.  When you came to an intersection you would flash the low beam.  Anyway, that's how I remember it when I lived in Italy.   :BEER:
Matt

[pressureangle]

In days past, the 'high' beam was the driving lamp, and the 'low' beam was the PASSING LAMP. (ever wonder why the old guys call the footswitch in your old car the 'dipswitch'?) You drove on the most powerful lamp, and dipped it to low beam when you passed ONCOMING traffic.

Not particularly helpful,

 **C

[blackcat]

In days past, the 'high' beam was the driving lamp, and the 'low' beam was the PASSING LAMP. (ever wonder why the old guys call the footswitch in your old car the 'dipswitch'?) You drove on the most powerful lamp, and dipped it to low beam when you passed ONCOMING traffic.

Not particularly helpful,

 **C

Dipswitch, haven't heard that in awhile.