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Posted by Tfrank59
 - September 20, 2017, 13:50:01 PM

That's really good information Troll thanks. Early in the summer when my battery went bad I was wondering if it was because I had a faulty charging system and I didn't know what you just said as a way to check it. One thing I'm a little unclear on with your explanation is if it's the battery feeding the headlight how can a bad charging system fail to energize the headlight?

Posted by Troll
 - September 20, 2017, 12:57:13 PM

I don't want to get into a technical discussion about the headlight circuit, but...The relay has a latching circuit that is triggered by voltage from the charging system. Once the charging system is making power, the headlight relay will be energized...BUT, the power from the battery is feeding the headlight. If you shut off the engine with the kill switch, the headlight will stay on. If you then shut off the key, the latching circuit is deenergized, and the light goes off. This is a good design for two reasons. The headlight is not taking current during the starting phase, and if the charging system is inoperative, you will know it because the headlight won't come on.

Posted by CDNRatMan
 - September 20, 2017, 12:19:56 PM

I also questioned it when I first bought the Drifter, and was told by everyone that it was normal. I never paid attention to which side it was, but I know mine does it and it is not a big deal, almost habit now to just touch the indicator switch to turn it off before starting bike.

Posted by OR Seedman
 - September 20, 2017, 07:51:16 AM

Turn signal coming on when the key is turned on is normal?  never had that occur on any other motorcycle I have owned before....guess Drifters really are unique!   ;D

Posted by Tfrank59
 - September 20, 2017, 00:24:47 AM

Sorry my bad I was thinking of my Goldwing I guess The Drifter headlight doesn't come on until it's running haha

Posted by CDNRatMan
 - September 19, 2017, 23:37:01 PM

    :o WOW people, the headlight only is supposed to come on once the engine is started, and as for the turn signal that is also normal.

attached from the owner's manual.....

Posted by OR Seedman
 - September 19, 2017, 23:29:35 PM

Mine '01 is the same....headlight only comes on when the bike is actually running....Mine also has a glitch in that the right turn signal comes on when I first turn on the key.....happens every time...weird

Posted by Old Drifter
 - September 19, 2017, 23:23:18 PM
Quote from: Greg59 on September 19, 2017, 20:51:02 PM

Ok so I have my first Drifter and its an 01. The previous owner replaced the stock Headlight with a generic one.
The Headlight only comes on when the bike is running not when the key is turned on. Is this normal for this bike?
Any Help appreciated

Yes that is normal.
Posted by Tfrank59
 - September 19, 2017, 21:39:47 PM

I would say that is not normal. My bike (both of them in fact) the head light comes on when the key is turned on because the headlight is running off the battery.  on your bike it's running off of the stator?

Posted by Greg59
 - September 19, 2017, 20:51:02 PM

Ok so I have my first Drifter and its an 01. The previous owner replaced the stock Headlight with a generic one.
The Headlight only comes on when the bike is running not when the key is turned on. Is this normal for this bike?
Any Help appreciated

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