James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares...Read more
We all know about the need for bikes to have enough lighting for safety. But the most common use of lights on a dirt bike is to see clearly when riding. So, with this post on how to put lights on a dirt bike without a battery, you will get a lasting solution to a dirt bike light issue.
To put lights on a dirt bike without a battery is much easier to do when you have the right tools. You need to follow the right method, and you will find it easy to install. The tools you need and the steps to which you can install the light on a dirt bike will be discussed in the latter part of this article.
It is very important to install a good quality light on a dirt bike for the following reasons: The lights will help you ride through at night. Riding at night, especially in the dark, can be dangerous due to obstacles that you cannot see.
However, if there are lights, they will enable you to spot them easily. Riding with light also allows you and others to see each other, preventing accidents.
Can You Put a Light on a Dirt Bike?
Yes, you can put a light on a dirt bike. Also, you can detach it rapidly whenever you need to change the batteries or bulbs. Most of these lights come with a clamping system that is straightforward to use even if you are not a techie person.
Most dirt bike under 500 are designed for off-road terrain, and most are not equipped with lights. So while you can ride without the light on the bike, it is generally safe to use headlights on your bike while riding it off-road.
The basic idea is that you mount the lights to a dirt bike. Of course, you need the necessary wiring harnesses and switches to do this, and you will have to figure out where to run the wires.
Equipment Needed to Install Lights on a Dirt Bike
Before installing lights on a dirt bike, you will need a suitable light, the proper mounting brackets, and wiring harnesses. Let us check them out in detail, so you get to know the importance of each tool.
Pliers
The plier is a useful tool for this task as it helps to hold objects firmly for bending or physical compression. Pliers include cutters used to cut through wire and cable. The jaws of pliers often have grooves or serrations where the jaws meet to provide a better grip on objects; pliers more easily hold slippery objects like wire than by hand.
Rectifier
You need a rectifier for light installation on the dirt bike. The electrical device helps to change alternating current (AC), which reverses direction regularly, to direct current (DC), which only travels in one direction.
This part is needed to successfully wire up lights on a dirt bike. The Rectifier converts high voltage AC from the stator into low voltage DC. Because of this, it also prevents the bike battery from draining when the lights are on for an extended period.
Spanner
To install lights on a dirt bike, you will need a spanner. It is important when you need to remove the gas tank or the seat during the light installation.
Insulated Wires
To properly install lights on a dirt bike, you should have insulated wires. Proper insulation will help prevent any damage while riding in mud or rain. In addition, wires should be insulated to prevent you from receiving electrical shocks and for the wires to become damaged by surrounding debris.
Double Handlebar Switch
The double handlebar switch is an aluminum push-button switch with a black finish and two red indicator lights. It can be used for high, low beam, on/off switches and is an extremely durable switch. It is very needed in the installation as it will help you switch on and off the light.
Bullet Connectors
Bullet connectors allow you to connect wires without soldering. They create a stronger electrical connection than soldered joints and can be pulled apart easily when rewiring a bike. In addition, bullet connectors are easy to use; just strip the wire, insert it in the bullet connector and crimp the end. These are a great way to simplify wiring a dirt bike.
Bolts
You need bolts to attach the light to your bike. They come in several shapes, lengths, and thicknesses of bolts. Ensure to look out for corrosion-resistant bolts that will be fine in the elements.
Driller
A driller can be used to insert the mount under the headlight to hold it in place. After doing so, you can run the wires through your bike’s frame and down inside the fork shrouds.
In this case, a zip tie is used to secure the wires to the frame. Once you have a clear path for your wires, use a wire drill bit to cut through and make holes for your lines.
LED Spotlight
LED Spotlights are a great way to add extra light to a dirt bike when you find yourself riding in the dark. They can be attached to a cage and secured with a mounting system that attaches to the roll cage and mounts directly to the lightbar housing.
How to Put Lights on a Dirt Bike Without a Battery?
If you want to install the light on a dirt bike without a battery, then you should follow the instructions below:
Unscrew the gas tank/seat to remove them
Since you do not have a battery as the power source, you need the magneto to power the light you want to attach to the dirt bike. Next, you need to remove the dirt bike seat and gas tank to reach out to it. To remove the gas tank and seat and seat, this is where the spanner comes in.
It is important you possess all sizes of spanners to make the task easier for you. Just ensure you remove all the bolts holding the seat and gas tank in place. You should find it easy to do. Once you do, you should have access to the power source wiring.
Find the right location to mount the light
You need to locate the right place to install the light on a dirt bike. You want an installation that will stay in place, and therefore, you need to ensure you get the right place to install the light. The best place is on the handlebar while you direct the light in a position where it makes you see ahead clearly.
Install the switch
You need the switch to control the activity of the light, and you have to install it too on the bike. You have to install the switch and the rectifier as well. The switch has to be on the handlebar while you install the rectifier below the bike gas tank.
Install the light
You will see the magneto since you have removed the gas tank and seat. You will see two yellow wires there, and you need to connect them to the regulator and rectifier. You need to use the wires on the rectifier, and one is black, while the other is red.
You need to connect the negative current to the light’s negative terminal. For the positive, you need to attach it to the input section of the switch while the output is connected to the light.
Now you need your bullet connectors as you have to connect them to the incoming wire that goes to the light. Then move on to the handlebar, and you will see different wires of different colors. You need to connect the blue and black wire to the wire that comes from the regulator, and the connection to the light has to be with the brown wire.
Test the light
You need to test the light and ensure that it works fine. Once you are through with it, you can return the seat and the gas tank to their position.
Conclusion
This post on how to put lights on a dirt bike without a battery explains how you can install your desired light on a dirt bike. It is not safe and not a good thing to ride a dirt bike without a light, especially at night.
The importance of using light on a dirt bike can never be overlooked, and that is why you need to consider one for a dirt bike.
James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares his expertise and reviews dirt bikes and related tools.
More Posts