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'82 GS1100L headlight question.

  • Thread starter Thread starter whalford1
  • Start date Start date
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whalford1

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I've noticed that my '82 GS1100L was made before the headlight was required by law to be on all the time. It has an on-off switch, which is fine. But...I've also noticed it has no high/low beam switch, the headlight is either on or off.

How hard would it be to use a switch pod from a newer GS (or other bike) that has a high/low beam switch, and to convert the stock headlight to high/low beam? And what parts would i use, from what bikes and years?

I like having the ability to flash my high/low beam in certain situations, to attract the attention of drivers on side streets/driveways as I approach them, so that maybe they will see me and not pull out in front of me.
 
I thought that law went into effect around '79. Maybe just in some states.

You're sure you have an 82?
 
You sure it's an on/off switch and not the high/low switch with either the high or low burned out or having a wiring issue?
 
whalford1 said:
I've noticed that my '82 GS1100L was made before the headlight was required by law to be on all the time. It has an on-off switch, which is fine. But...I've also noticed it has no high/low beam switch, the headlight is either on or off.
Click to expand...
Actually, all bikes sold in the USA that were made on or after January 1, 1979 were required to have the headlight on.
Either on with the key or some other mechanism (time delay, etc.), so that it was ON while on the road.

As far as the high/low switch, try moving the turn signal switch up and down. If that is what you are calling an on/off switch, it's possible that one of the beams is burned out.

.
 
Steve said:
Actually, all bikes sold in the USA that were made on or after January 1, 1979 were required to have the headlight on.
Either on with the key or some other mechanism (time delay, etc.), so that it was ON while on the road.

As far as the high/low switch, try moving the turn signal switch up and down. If that is what you are calling an on/off switch, it's possible that one of the beams is burned out.

.
Click to expand...

I was pretty sure that the law requiring the headlight stay on went into effect in 1979. If I'm not mistaken, Suzuki didn't make the 1100 until 1980. And mine is a 1982.

The headlight switch doesn't move up/down, but instead slides side-to-side. And it's clearly maked "on-off". Plus, there are no other switches for the headlight.

I'm wondering if mine was imported by an individual into the USA from a country that doesn't have the headlight on requirement?

Or if maybe someone changed the switch pod so they could turn the headlight off? Maybe to make the bulb last longer, or to reduce electrical load? I once ran across a guy on a Hardley that had wired in a switch to turn his headlight off. He said he was tired of replacing burned out bulbs. I thought he was dumb...
 
My understanding from having an 80 850G is that 1980 was first year for not having headlight on-off switch.

.
 
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Was going to look up a schematic, but, ah is your "82 1100L" an L (chain) or is it actually a GL (shaft)?
 
1981 GS 750 L has a on-off switch
1981 GS 550 L has a on-off switch
 
Possibly a switch housing from another bike? Curious. Pull headlight housing apart look at bulb, two filaments or for that matter how many prongs in back of bulb for connections?

Take a closer look at connections from switch assembly to your harness. Are the wires color coded the same? Do you have a extra pin being used(wire going to it) coming off your harness as opposed to your switch assembly wires?

I am thinking that even if it came from another country the harness would be the same, but would be a more likely guess it was done aftermarket by someone who had some parts lying around and strapped for cash for OEM parts.

Do you have a friend nearby with another GS? Without taking anything off either bike pull connectors off the other bike and plug into your harness and see if high beams work on his bike. Not sure on length of wires but might reach.

Anybody have any thoughts on why this would or not work?
I am not familiar with the 1100s:( But think theory is sound.
 
cowboyup3371 said:
My 81 still as an on/off switch that works
Click to expand...

Well then, at least I'm not alone. So it seems that, somehow, some GS1100s made it into the USA that didn't meet the requirements of the 1979 law.

So now I need to find out what parts to use to convert mine over.
 
whalford1 said:
Mine is the shaft version.
Click to expand...

Okay, so we call it an "L" in conversation, and the side panel emblem says "GS1100L" (with big script L),
but .... the model designation is GS1100GL, or if include the year designation: GS1100GLZ (Z for 82).

So, let me look at schematic in my Clymers manual (but dont really need to, will be same as 80 850G and 82 1100GK)



>> more later >>
 
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82-83 GS1100GL


Shows 3 position headlight Hi-ReturnToCenter-Lo (up- -down) and 5 position turnsignal (sideways), which we know are both the same square button.


I dont thing Suzuki made much of anything specific per market (other than paint scheme) on anyh particular model.

Heck, they left stuff in the wiring harness for years that didnt need to be there anymore anywhere.


Look on ebay for a left handlebar control control unit for 80 - 85, GS850, 1100 G or GL or L. (Maybe 1000) (Maybe even E's) (Maybe 650, but not sure they had some things specific to 650s).
Will also have horn button. Will also have choke lever on bottom on 82 and after. Oh, so you will want 82 or after, unless you already have other arrangment for the choke cable.

Also, find a schematic.

.
 
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/83-Suzuki-G...5494&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GS85...5166&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr


I like the one for the 850. Has the choke cable, and all the wiring harness and connectors (and connector for next wiring harness).
And looks good, has all the lettering intact. And that is probably why it is not $25.
Probably can find one for less, but may not be as nice, or not have good pictures to know getting all the wiring harness.

.
 
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Redman said:
82-83 GS1100GL

Shows 3 position headlight Hi-ReturnToCenter-Lo (up- -down) and 5 position turnsignal (sideways), which we know are both the same square button.
.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what my '82 GS1100GL is like. No On-Off, just Hi-Lo with return to center and side to side is turn signal.
 
I noticed today that the instrument pod actually has a spot for the hight beam indicator light. So just like what seems to be what you guys are sying, it should be pretty easy to convert to being on all the time and high/low beam.
 
Mystery solved...

I was looking at a download of the owners manual today for information about something else. I just happened to run across a picture of the left side switch pod. The turn signal switch slides sideways for the turn signals. And it slides up/down for the high/low beams.

The picture I saw showed the arrows and labels on the switch pod...which have long disappeared from the switch pod on my bike. So that explains why I didn't think that it had high/low beams.
 
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