Quick & free trunk light fix

Okay, so when I bought my used SW, the previous owner handed me a little bulb, explaining that it was for the trunk and that he removed it because if the trunk wasn't latched tight it would run the battery down. I have since seen here that it seems to be a common problem.

A couple of months ago, our old small carpet shampooer died and, as I am wont to do, I stripped it of usable parts before disposing of the carcass. One of those parts is a nice, round, black rocker switch that pops right into an 11/16" hole.

The light bulb above my head came on today and I drilled an 11/16" hole in the left-side access panel inside the trunk, down at the bottom so the switch is kind of recessed. Cut right into the wire for the trunk light right there and tied it into the switch.

So now I have a nice manual trunk light switch that I can use for a little peace of mind, assured that the light will actually be off and not drain my battery.

I was going to go to the local junkyard and look for a Honda trunk light with switch to fit in there, but this fix turned out to free and didn't require me to leave the house. Win-win.

Farkle count:
1. Four-way flashers.
2. Fiamm dual-tone horns.
3. Lighter socket in left-hand glovebox.
4. Trunk light switch.

Future farkles:
1. Headlight OFF switch.
2. GPS mount.
3. Buttrest to backrest conversion.
4. Crampbuster/throttle lock/cruise control.
5. Headlight modulator.
6. Bicycle rack?

Mmmmm, another switch. Now what happens when you forget to switch the switch off!!!!

Something else to forget!

Not a cure I feel just another problem!

Hope it works out for you!!

I see in your future "farkles" you plan on having a headlight off switch. Why would you want this?

...and in future a headlight modulator too, why bother if you want the headlight off. As for a Crampbuster/ throttle lock / cruise control gadget they're hardly farkles, more a bit of plastic you carry with you and fit and use when the fancy takes you.

hotwings wrote:

I see in your future "farkles" you plan on having a headlight off switch. Why would you want this?

Meldrew wrote:

...and in future a headlight modulator too, why bother if you want the headlight off. As for a Crampbuster/ throttle lock / cruise control gadget they're hardly farkles, more a bit of plastic you carry with you and fit and use when the fancy takes you.

Okay, serious, sober thought ensues. (Amidst the creative process?)

A headlight switch is something I considered because I have had it on past bikes. But, on further reflection, this one is different, for two main reasons: Fuel injection means no prolonged warm-ups, and (apparently) a better generator than my old Hondas (like the notorious "under-statored" PC and my "haunted" CB400) allowing the bike to idle for a minute or two without running down the battery. (Though I suppose that a low-beam off switch in conjunction with colored strobes in the side-light spaces would be awesome for "parking-lot pimpin'." This then, would qualify more as "bling" than "farkle.")

Headlight modulator: I know some are dead set against them. I've had them in the past and to me, personally, they are worth the effort. You probably won't convince me otherwise.

As for some sort of cruise control on that list, I was thinking more of the "function" part of "farkle" and, depending on what type of cruise you use, perhaps fairly permanent and involved.

Great Ideas!

I do agree with Waspie on the trunk light; operator error could be a problem (speaking for myself!). A timed relay which clicked off after a short delay might be a way to do it. Then again can always go with the good old-fashioned flashlight (torch) I will be interested in your progress with the Future Farkles.

I have been afraid to tinker with my SW at this point as I want to confirm that everything is functioning correctly first. I may get my second ride if the temperature gets to 60F as predicted on Wednesday

Gary M

You don't need a headlight off for when your side lights are strobed.
You just need a full-time hot to them with a switch.
Putting your bike into accessory mode with a headlight off switch will allow any other item to drain the battery as well.

There is also a topic on this board about L-ion motorcycle batteries, which are more powerful and lighter than standard. If you are going to get into showing your bling on bike nights a high capacity battery is a good idea.

Thank you RArch!

I see I need to pore through the Maintenance section and check out some more of these clever solutions!

Waspie wrote:

Mmmmm, another switch. Now what happens when you forget to switch the switch off!!!!

Something else to forget!

Not a cure I feel just another problem!

Hope it works out for you!!

Not nearly as much of a risk for a SWing noob like me. I have never had an "automatic" trunk light, being given the bulb separately. Therefore, I have always had to turn something on manually to see inside the trunk and am used to it. The built-in automatic switch will serve to make a handy backup, which should work quite well as I always make sure the trunk is latched, just as I always check my car doors. In some of the neighborhoods I park in, I would worry more about the battery "walking away" then "running down."

Come to think of it, maybe I should borrow an idea from my car and put a "trunk open" light (and buzzer or bell?) on the dash. Hmmm...

clay_in_co wrote:

Waspie wrote:

Mmmmm, another switch. Now what happens when you forget to switch the switch off!!!!

Something else to forget!

Not a cure I feel just another problem!

Hope it works out for you!!

Not nearly as much of a risk for a SWing noob like me. I have never had an "automatic" trunk light, being given the bulb separately. Therefore, I have always had to turn something on manually to see inside the trunk and am used to it. The built-in automatic switch will serve to make a handy backup, which should work quite well as I always make sure the trunk is latched, just as I always check my car doors. In some of the neighborhoods I park in, I would worry more about the battery "walking away" then "running down."

Come to think of it, maybe I should borrow an idea from my car and put a "trunk open" light (and buzzer or bell?) on the dash. Hmmm...

You could always manufacture a row of warning lights above the curved display housing the speedo etc. Colour coded.

Red - Oh My god this is serious

Amber/Orange - Not as serious but cause panic!

Yellow - Hello, you might like to check me when you dismount!

Had a similar system in aircraft - The Master Caution Panel.

Only Red to me then was - 'Oh My God Were All Going To Die' !!!!