Replacing left hand switch w. euro style

[ride57]

Replacing left switch with one that has a headlight on/off switch. Since I am going to a smaller battery because of frame sliders, I want as much power going to the starter as I can get. I also have some 4ga battery cable that I will install.

I got this one: http://http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/...eet_switch.jpg

$62 at california-cycleworks.

The switch comes with its own connectors and wants you to bypass/take out the original Ducati connector. Since I can not see replacing a weather proof connector with a non weatherproof one, I used the original Ducati connector.

The kit comes with instructions, I first verified that each colored wire does go to where its supposed to.

New switch



old connector w/ length of wire. I left the yellow jumper wire alone as that is the parking light circuit.



I staggered the splices so as to have the harness remain approximatly the same size



Starting the splicing. I use mechanical and solder connections. First, put heat shrink tubing on the wires, crimp the butt splice then solder then position heat shrink



I put some cable cover from NAPA on, its a tad to small though.



I zip tied it and fitted it on the clip on. Since the switch housing is slightly larger than the stock item, I moved the clutch master cyl up a bit for clearance. I elongated the locating hole in the master cyl and left the locating roll pin on the clip on.



Next to the switch is the bracket for the PowerCommander map switch. Also I put my fan mod switch on the clutch resevoir bracket (its probably hard to see)

I got the power commander, LCD display and Hub unit, I started to run the cabling, but need to decide where/how to mount the display. But thats another thread

[Rich Quarre]

Nice job. What kind of info is the PC LCD display going to give you?

[ride57]

You can get speedo/tach/gear ind/view all stored maps/change maps on screen/ there was other stuff, oh, set up to 2 outputs ie: nitrous relays but Im gonna try to hook up a shift light.

[wwahl]

I picked up a European switch when over in Switzerland. It was plug and play with no wiring problems. I brought many back for the ST-x users at that time. They are all different from year to year. This is not available for newer bikes.

[ride57]

I remember seeing a plug and play one somewhere, but it was , ? $300 ? IIRC, maybe $200, I can't remember.

I'm just wondering how many times I'm gonna take off without turning the light back on

[wwahl]

Originally Posted by ride57

I remember seeing a plug and play one somewhere, but it was , ? $300 ? IIRC, maybe $200, I can't remember.

I'm just wondering how many times I'm gonna take off without turning the light back on

I was picking them up for about $95.00 USD.

You WILL take off without turning the light on. It usually occurs when someone/something disturbs your departure program.

[Red Label Moto]

Nicely done. I like having the switch also as I prefer running around town (in the daytime) with just the running lights on, the little tiny bulbs in the headlight as opposed to the full headlights. That way, when you flash the soccer mom, you are really FLASHING her with brights as opposed to essentially no light at all. You also have the po-po fooled since you technically have your "lights" on. Having minumum draw on the battery when starting is nice as well.

Is this wired so that you can have just the running lights on? Your switch appears to have that feature, "off", "running lights", and "headlights".

Was the factory switch too spendy? Every 748/916/996/998 sold anywhere but here came with one identical to this. Available at any Ducati dealer, and it matches perfectly all the other switchgear on the bike. 2 screws, 1 plug and presto, its installed:

[ride57]

it was motowheels, that had the plug and play switch for $279.
I left the jumper (pin A to E) on the stock plug which is the parking lights on.
There is a wire on the switch for parking lights, but I just left the jumper on.

My crank should be here friday or monday

[Dave R]

the factory Euro switch sells for $175 currently