Buell Forum / Buell XB Forum / Do-It-Yourself Buell Mods / Headlight Mod - Both Lights On w/ Hi-Beam
| Posted: 17 Jul 2008 21:25 Last Edited By: speedkills | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008 |
Posts: 93 Reputation: 26 [?] User Rank: First Lieutenant 
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I was looking for a way to have both headlights on instead one of only one on for LOW and the other for HI (and I was tired of being told I had a light out) when I came across a post where "GatorBuell" explained exactly how to rewire the harness to make it work.
I followed his instructions, taking pictures along the way. Here's his instructions (with minor changes by me) and my pictures. ________________________________ HEADLIGHT MOD TIME TO COMPLETE: 15 minutes COST: $0.00 STEP 1. Remove your windshield from the headlight bucket of the bike. 
STEP 2. Find the socket for the headlight harness. Its white and has 4 wires in it: black, yellow, white, orange. 
STEP 3. Unplug the socket. (you will be working on the male end of the socket) STEP 4. On the back side of the socket (the end with the wires running into it) there is a clip on the plug itself that holds the wires in. Unclasp it from one side and fold it open. 
The black is a ground, the yellow is low beam, white is high beam, and orange is for the running light. You are going to switch the yellow with the orange wires in the harness. ***If the colors are different on your harness swap the two that are not white or black*** STEP 5. To do this use a small pointed object (I used a very very small nail) 
5a. Stick it in the male end forcing the wire out. You may have to tug on the wire some wile pushing to get them out. 
5b. It was a little difficult to get them out but not impossible to do so. See plug detail below (thanks to PDXBuell). 
5c. You may have to remove more than just the orange and yellow wires in order to have room to move the wires depending on your harness. 
STEP 6. Replace the wires into the plug, swapping the position of the yellow and orange wires. The new order should be: black, orange, white, yellow. Plug the harness back together. 
STEP 7. Test the lights. When you are on LOW BEAM you should have only one light on as usual. 
On HIGH BEAM both lights should be illuminated. 
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| Posted: 17 Jul 2008 21:50 | [?] |
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| I did this a week ago and love that no one flags me down to tell me "dude you only got one light on - not safe bro" | |
| Posted: 17 Jul 2008 22:31 | [?] |
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Nice job speed 
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| Posted: 17 Jul 2008 22:45 | [?] |
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| Couldn't have done it without you Gator. | |
| Posted: 18 Jul 2008 03:42 | [?] |
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Awesome. I'm doing it this saturday.
Thanks Lee |
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| Posted: 18 Jul 2008 04:00 | [?] |
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| I did it this morning, very good right up speed, good job. | |
| Posted: 18 Jul 2008 11:57 | [?] |
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excellent!
thx speed, you got your vote and a spot in my informative posts section. 
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| Posted: 18 Jul 2008 15:38 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2007 |
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Oh HAHAHAHAHAHA now I see The whole dam plug comes out  Now this makes sense I was trying to get just the wire itself out  I couldnt figure out how you guys were getting the "wire" itself out. I was thinkin to myself " this wire is crimped on all sides....how the hell are you supposed to get it out? " The pics rock..Thanks Speed!! Gettin from me 
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| Posted: 18 Jul 2008 15:53 | [?] |
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I also did this last weekend. It works great. I live out in the country and at night it is very dark and we have a lot of deer and other wildlife out here so the extra light is really helpful.
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| Posted: 24 Jul 2008 16:55 Last Edited By: Roccodart440 | [?] |
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I did this yesterday since it was raining cats and dogs in upstate NY and there was no riding to be had.
It works perfectly and isn't too hard. Is there any issue with the charging system being able to keep up with both lights running? A few things you don't actually puch the pins out. YOu need to releas the internal lock. A sharp tiny nail worsk well as you said but again you don't actually push it out. I learned this after having very little luck with the push out techn ique and actaully looking inside very closely. |
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| Posted: 27 Jul 2008 03:06 | [?] |
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GREAT PICS STILL HAVENT DID MINE YET AND I POSTED MONTHS AGO
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| Posted: 29 Jul 2008 03:27 | [?] |
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FINALLY DID IT WORKS GRAET THANKS GATORBUEL AND SPEEDKILLS
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| Posted: 05 Aug 2008 01:35 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Aug 2008 |
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New XB owner here! This will be my first DIY! Thanks.
BK |
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| Posted: 06 Aug 2008 15:42 | [?] |
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| Done, pretty cool. Thanks alot! | |
| Posted: 06 Aug 2008 18:17 | [?] |
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Very very useful and informative. Thank you for the time and effort spent in writing this up. Pictures were extremely helpful! 
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| Posted: 01 Sep 2008 23:19 | [?] |
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I have to say I am a very happily married man but Speed if you were here I think I might kiss you....this is by far the best bang for your buck mod out there. I was reluctant at first to do it fearing I might blow a fuse or strip the wires but after seeing all the guys do it I figured why not. Did this in 15 minutes on my 08 XB12Ss. I actually can't wait for the dark to come so I can try it out.
-Peter |
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| Posted: 01 Sep 2008 23:45 | [?] |
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| Does this effect the brightness at all? | |
| Posted: 02 Sep 2008 03:07 | [?] |
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| Quite abit brighter and looks more balanced. First thing I did on my 09 best mod so far. | |
| Posted: 06 Sep 2008 23:37 | [?] |
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| Great and simple mod. Very well written and illustrated. Thanks for the time and effort. | |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2008 19:30 | [?] |
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| would this be the same proceedure for the Ulysses?,06 model | |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2008 20:30 | [?] |
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| Yes | |
| Posted: 18 Sep 2008 06:01 | [?] |
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| thank you very much....this is an awesome first mod | |
| Posted: 01 Oct 2008 12:05 | [?] |
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I did this and I wasn't happy with the results on my '09 XB12SS...
If you ever wanted to keep park mode and NOT have your low beam come on, look into what I did in this other thread... CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE OTHER THREAD |
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| Posted: 02 Nov 2008 22:18 | [?] |
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Hey Speed - I'm having an issue with step 5A...based upon your picture, how do you 'unlock' each connector? Using a very small screwdriver, do I gently pry up from botton? push down from top? move from left to right, or right to left? Does the connector release the socket when I do one of the above?
I'm not sure I explained this very well but I don't want to 'force' it either. also, I think anytime you work with any of the electrics, the first item should be to disconnect the battery... Thanks for an outstanding DIF instructions and pics... |
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| Posted: 05 Nov 2008 20:27 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: May 2008 |
Posts: 30 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
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Quote:
Hey Speed - I'm having an issue with step 5A...based upon your picture, how do you 'unlock' each connector? Using a very small screwdriver, do I gently pry up from botton? push down from top? move from left to right, or right to left? Does the connector release the socket when I do one of the above? I'm not sure I explained this very well but I don't want to 'force' it either. also, I think anytime you work with any of the electrics, the first item should be to disconnect the battery... Thanks for an outstanding DIF instructions and pics... Same here. Doesn't seem to be working for me. |
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| Posted: 05 Nov 2008 23:33 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: May 2008 |
Posts: 30 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
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Ok figured it out. Good times!! Rhogan, I used a small nail just as speedkills used and if you look into the connector from the bottom you'll see small clips that hold each individual wire in place. Push in on those clips and plug the wire at the same time and that should do the trick.
I had to read this thread again and I saw Roccodart440's post which helped out. Thanks Speedkills and Rocco....cool mod. |
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| Posted: 06 Nov 2008 03:55 | [?] |
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| Hi ceo79 - I see some (flat) metal at the bottom but where are these "clips"? Are there 2 of them per wire? I've tried using a same nail and tried to pull the wire out the end at the same time but to no avail...Maybe I need a magnifying glass? Thanks. | |
| Posted: 07 Nov 2008 00:06 Last Edited By: Bill2 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Oct 2008 |
Posts: 48 Reputation: 1 [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
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| Back when i did mine it was at night in the garage without the best light and i couldn't see those small clips. So having hell trying to get the two wires out i gave up and cut & soldiered them back together, works great! | |
| Posted: 07 Nov 2008 04:03 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008 |
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Any help is appreciated...
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| Posted: 14 Nov 2008 13:12 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Oct 2008 |
Posts: 142 Reputation: 3 [?] User Rank: Captain
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| great modification and i plan to do it to my 09 XB12SS but shall i wait till after my 1st service? Are the standard wiring harness able to cope with the twin lamps on? would the service mech note the mod on my service history ?cheers ppl you are all great | |
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