Headlight dimmer (dip-switch) question

[e3steve]

My old, original dimmer switch was wired so that 'UP' was the dipped beam and 'DOWN' main/high beam.

The NOS switch that I obtained from Japan, a couple of years back, is wired the other way round, so connecting the wiring as it should be renders the switch operation the opposite. It's logical, really, that 'UP' should be high beam, etc, but I'm interested in how others' bikes are wired.

Any input?

[jleewebb]

On my bike, switch toward rider is high beam, away from rider is low...pretty sure it's wired right...

from drivers manual: "turning the dimmer switch clockwise lowers the beam, turning the dimmer switch counter clockwise raises the beam."

Also says "setting the switch to the neutral position turns off the headlight." Not sure if this is correct for later iterations...On my bike fiddling around in the middle position lights both filaments. but my switch is a conglomeration of CL and CB parts. works just good enuf to pass inspection.

[LOUD MOUSE]

The early switch "when held/wedged in the middle position" will light both high and low.
HONDA modified the switch so this wouldn't happen.
I think ya can Hold it in Middle and both will light but ya let go and it will move to one or the other. ......lm

On my bike, switch toward rider is high beam, away from rider is low...pretty sure it's wired right...

from drivers manual: "turning the dimmer switch clockwise lowers the beam, turning the dimmer switch counter clockwise raises the beam."

Also says "setting the switch to the neutral position turns off the headlight." Not sure if this is correct for later iterations...On my bike fiddling around in the middle position lights both filaments. but my switch is a conglomeration of CL and CB parts. works just good enuf to pass inspection.

[Glenardo]

I'm relatively new to these bikes and I too have questioned that my '61 CB77 HI/LOW switch was the same. Up = Low, Middle = OFF and Down = High. I thought it was maybe wired wrong, but now it appears to be correct. One more thing off the "To Do" list!!!

[krateguy]

On my superhawk down is high, and up is low. I can move it to the middle and it will go off. I agree with steve it should be the other way around.

[FAST FRED]

Page 19 in my real deal CL77 manual, states,"Dimmer switch knob pushed down...high beam. Dimmer switch knob pushed up...low beam." Thats the way both of my CLs work. It does smeem backward by todays standards and is easy to change if you are more comfortable with it that way.

Fast Fred

[e3steve]

Thanks guys. I seemed to remember reading -- I've not done the RTFM-thing in my handbook for a while -- that 'UP' was lo-beam and 'DOWN' was hi.

I may re-solder the wires on the contact board inside the switch sometime, but I'm sort of used to it now. It's wired, colour-for-colour, in the bucket (red=hi).

Lee, Ed: I've read that some US-states required both hi- and lo-beams to illuminate in the middle position, as opposed to the parking light only. I know there are some switches out there with no centre detent at all -- just up & down.