Lighting the FZ6R Jewel

[adazine]

Once you have all your fairings off and you have only the headlight fairing to remove, there are four screws indicated by the red hands and there is a really tough one to get to behind the speedometer cluster. Once that is removed, there are (4) 10mm bolts to remove that hold on the headlight.



You'll see the blank for the jewel light, I started with a center mark and a small drill before I worked up to the 1/2" size. I used a vacuum with a tube to get out any pieces that went into the light area.



Light inserted in hole - the white led fit snug so I wedged it in. The yellow one is loose so I'll need to use silicone to hold it in place



Testing the light



The white one before I took it off



The bulbs - didn't like the orange one, yellow looked better and brightest of all three



Both leds mounted



Hopefully I'll see more of these out on the road - Cheers !

 

[TexanFZ6R]

Do you have a bulb number? Is there a place to plug in that connector or did you wire it into something else?

 

[adazine]

Yellow H3 7.5W 5730 Auto Xenon LED Fog Driving DRL Bulb Light Lamp 12V

Bought on eBay and soldered on a plug for disconnect. I tapped into the headlight power and put in a switch to be able to turn it off.

Link on eBay - Yellow H3 7.5W 5730 Auto Xenon LED Fog Driving DRL Bulb Light Lamp 12V

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-33-SMD-Yellow-H3-7-5W-5730-Auto-Xenon-LED-Fog-Driving-DRL-Bulb-Light-Lamp-12V/152668144478?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[sti491]

Great job! I think I will do this next time I'm taking my fairings off. A couple of questions: This is essentially an accent light correct? Do you run it as a daylight running light anytime the bike is on? Does it throw any usable light at night,and or does it change how your high or low beam throws light?

Is it bright enough to cause any issues riding behind someone at night? Is there an opportuniy to use as an add-on to the high beam, something that is way bright... or is it just too small an area without the reflector to do it?

So you would just buy the yellow after doing this?

Do you have a link for the socket you used?

 

[adazine]

Daytime use primarily. It does throw usable light at night but it is bright and a scattered pattern with limited distance. At night it would annoy other drivers and would only be good on a dark back road with low traffic. I installed a switch to be able to turn it off when it would cause trouble for other drivers. I like the yellow because it separates it from the headlight. It's definitely worth doing for maximum visibility during the day and at night when needed. There isn't a socket, I just wedged it in on the first install, but the yellow light is a little smaller and I used 3M VHB tape to hold it in place. The bulbs that I pictured are the ones that will fit threw the 1/2" inch hole nicely. I owned a car audio and alarm business so I'm familiar with doing this type of project. I'll post more of the mods I've done electrically as time allows. The Viper alarm I used for the bike worked out perfectly and allowed me to turn on the other lights I have on the bike remotely. Post pictures when you have yours added. Cheers !

 

[sti491]

Thank you. I am interested in your electrical other mods, like the alarm. Electrical mods I've done: installed a switch for my Power Commander fuel map selector, Power Commander with speed sensor and USB accessible without taking anything apart, a volt meter, USB/accessory outlets, gear indicator, weight saving Lithium Phosphate battery and charger cable, and a LED headlight bulb (that made riding at night a joy in comparison to the OEM bulb).

That bulb on Ebay looks like it has one wire coming off it. Is that the hot/positive lead? Where does the negative wire attach, is it the base of the bulb itself?

Is the switch you have a simple open/closed switch, you don't need a relay? What gauge wire do you recommend.

I assume that the bulb is far enough away from the clear plastic lens that it won't melt it? Or is the LED relatively cool?

I have had all my fairings off several times, but never took off the headlight assembly. So, that entire headlight-front fairing bodywork comes off as a unit based on your pics? Do you have to take off the lower fairings first?

 

[sti491]

I looked up that type of bulb base and found out the wire is indeed the positive lead and the base is negative, where a screw with a negative wire normally holds the base in, and a clip holds the square area on the bulb base.

I have a open/closed switch already installed for my fuel maps that I will not need soon, as I found one power commander map meets my needs. It's over by my accessory plugs on my top small fairing cover just beneath the left bar grip. Those are connected to an ignition switched power wire from the left turn signal, the DRL wire that is powered up 100% of the time the ignition is on. Do you think it will work to connect this new light to that power source instead of the headlight wire? I am assuming that would be fine. I already have everything I need right there.

 

[adazine]

I soldered on a negative lead to the bulb then used shrink tubing to keep the leads together. LED bulbs don't draw a lot of current so 18ga wire is sufficient. They do have the ability to get hot but not enough to melt the plastic, just make sure it is firmly in place when installed. I'll post more pictures of the other mods I've done as time allows. I normally remove everything when I work on the bike just to have a clear view of what I'm working on. The headlight fairing has that one screw behind the instrument cluster that was a challenge to take off, I don't use it anymore and glued a pin to line it up when I put the fairing back on. It's a relatively easy bike to work on and fun to mod. Where did you get your gear indicator? Was it difficult to install? I also want to get the Lithium battery !

 

[sti491]

$49 Idea gear indicator for Yamaha, Amazon. Not too hard to install, although instructions are incorrect. The in-line connectors are in tight spots. The speed sensor wire to tap is hard to find, but there are good web references how to do it. I love it!

So far so good on the lithium battery. Pretty expensive, but a major weight savings. That and my exhaust change I had a 15lb weight savings, more or less.

I soldered on a negative lead to the bulb then used shrink tubing to keep the leads together. LED bulbs don't draw a lot of current so 18ga wire is sufficient. They do have the ability to get hot but not enough to melt the plastic, just make sure it is firmly in place when installed. I'll post more pictures of the other mods I've done as time allows. I normally remove everything when I work on the bike just to have a clear view of what I'm working on. The headlight fairing has that one screw behind the instrument cluster that was a challenge to take off, I don't use it anymore and glued a pin to line it up when I put the fairing back on. It's a relatively easy bike to work on and fun to mod. Where did you get your gear indicator? Was it difficult to install? I also want to get the Lithium battery !

 

[adazine]

Thanks ! I plan to do both before this spring - the gear indicator is an absolute need, I keep wanting to shift into seventh gear !

 

[sti491]

7th gear searching is the EXACT reason I put it in. All of the gear indicators only show the gear when the bike is moving, or reving a certain amount. So it won't say "1", sitting at a stop sign. But it will going pretty slow. I really didn't like searching for 7th all the time! Lately I have also been using slowing for a 90 degree corners at an intersection without a stop. 3rd gear seems perfect for that. A quick glance is perfect to verify. It's really a great feature romping on the mountain twisties too. Nice KNOW I'm in 4th or 5th, vs up or downshifting leaned way over and upsetting things catching it wrong. I love it. Can't wait to light up the jewel! I ordered the light.

 

[adazine]

I ordered the IDEA gear indicator from Amazon, it will be a perfect solution to the 7th gear searching. I tend to stay in third in city riding and typically keep the rpms high to enjoy the sound of the bike. It will definitely be more comfortable knowing which gear I'm in when downshifting into a corner. I may need to ask for some help locating the wires when I get the thing. What color led did you go with ?

 

[sti491]

Just ordered an Encore M1 2-way security system. I liked some it's features after researching. It includes a baby LED that flashes when the system is alarmed so people can see it, if you put it on the upper fairing pieces or dash somewhere. It's easy enough to install.

I am wondering though, is it a good idea, or a bad idea to advertise the security system is "on"? Would some passers-by stay away if they saw it, vs. "lets mess with to it see if goes off"...

I guess I am leaning towards installing the LED. Sounds like you are in the business and I would like your opinion please.

Thanks ! I plan to do both before this spring - the gear indicator is an absolute need, I keep wanting to shift into seventh gear !

 

[adazine]

Most of the time people want to know how the alarm works. I like the alarm to deter people from sitting on the bike when I'm at work. I put a mercury tilt switch under the seat so when the bike goes upright from the stand position the alarm will go off. Mount the led, it's good to let people know the bike is alarmed. Never had a problem with people messing with the bike when I'm out.

I just finished installing the IDEA gear indicator. I did a press in fit into the instrument shroud so that I can pop it out when needed. The bar behind it keep it in place nicely.

 

[sti491]

Thanks for the alarm advice. Great job on the gear indicator mount. Have you ridden with it yet? I think you will like it. What do you use to cut the hole for it, dremmel? It looks great!

Most of the time people want to know how the alarm works. I like the alarm to deter people from sitting on the bike when I'm at work. I put a mercury tilt switch under the seat so when the bike goes upright from the stand position the alarm will go off. Mount the led, it's good to let people know the bike is alarmed. Never had a problem with people messing with the bike when I'm out.

I just finished installing the IDEA gear indicator. I did a press in fit into the instrument shroud so that I can pop it out when needed. The bar behind it keep it in place nicely.

View attachment 39645

 

[adazine]

Thanks ! I used an X-acto knife. I measured 1mm smaller than the rectangle and carefully cut that out - pulling in half way from the corners then went to the backside and from the corner marks worked that side. I worked both sides until I cut through, then carefully worked my way out until I could get the piece in tightly. I made a .125 thick backing plate at work to keep it level. Took about 20 minutes. It's the perfect spot on the bike and I'm happy there was room to get it there. I haven't set it up yet, waiting for warmer weather.

 

[adazine]

Here's what the amber led looks like. I installed an electronic dimmer so I can vary the brightness for night riding. All the led's on the bike consume less wattage than the 55watt stock halogen bulb - less drain on the battery.

 

[TexanFZ6R]

Most of the time people want to know how the alarm works. I like the alarm to deter people from sitting on the bike when I'm at work. I put a mercury tilt switch under the seat so when the bike goes upright from the stand position the alarm will go off. Mount the led, it's good to let people know the bike is alarmed. Never had a problem with people messing with the bike when I'm out.

I just finished installing the IDEA gear indicator. I did a press in fit into the instrument shroud so that I can pop it out when needed. The bar behind it keep it in place nicely.

View attachment 39645

Love it! I didn't like the thought of just sticking it somewhere.