Installing Headlight Modulator & GPS on Concours 14

[jerhofer]

I am all for doing anything that will enhance other people seeing me.  I had a headlight modulator on my other bikes and wanted one on my Concours 14 as well.  I bought a kit from Kisan.  Installation is fairly simple. 

The kit consists of two electrical connectors that go between the headlight plug and the bulb.  One is marked master and one is marked slave.  It doesn't matter which one goes on which headlight.  Each electrical connector has a place to attach another connector for the light sensor.  The light sensor connector with multiple wires must attach to the master and the single wire connector attaches to the slave unit.   The light sensor must be installed so that you can use your high beams at night without them flashing.





The upper black plastic trim pieces on each side must be removed.  To remove them, you remove the three screws and one plastic fastener under the windshield.  The windshield must be removed to access this fastener.  Fortunately, removing the windshield is easily done by first removing the black trim pieces and them removing the single fastener on each side that is hidden by the trim piece. 



Once you have the plastic pieces removed, you can access the headlight connectors.  Simply remove the factory plugs, install the modulator plug onto the factory plug and then plug the modulator plug to the headlight bulb.  Run the wires for the light sensor to one side or the other and make sure they are free from any obstructions. 







The light sensor must be mounted so that it sees light at all times.  I drilled a hole in my left side top plastic trim piece and mounted the sensor there. 





Re-install the black plastic pieces and you are finished.

To use the modulator, you simply put your headlights on high beam.  The lights will flash constantly.  If you want to turn the flashers off during the day, put your headlights on low beam.  They are very noticeable.  On my other bike, I was stopped at a stop light when the car in the next lane asked me if I knew my headlights were flashing.  I told him yes and he asked why.  My reply was so that someone like him would see them and hopefully not pull out in front of me.

At the same time I was doing this, I also installed a mount for my GPS.  I bought it on EBay.

[VirginiaJim]

Thank you very much! 

[Conrad]

Nice write up.

[roadie]

very nice write up...This component and the signal minder on my to-do list.  One thing that might be helpful to remove the fastners on the side panels (the one's under the windshield) that I learned from Fred's maintenance vid's (which makes it possible to remove them without removing the windshield):  Take a strong wire coat hanger and cut a nice straight section out of the hanger, say about 8" long.  Bend a 100 degree bend in the end section at about 1.5"...so you have sort of a lop-sided "L"...file the edge of the the short piece so it kinda resembles a chisel.  Using this "tool" you can always easily pop the center of the fastner, and then use the "chisel" to lift up the fastner.  I use it all the time I have to remove the fastners, and the tool has a nice storage place next to all my other tools.

[jonathan]

Nice, detailed write up. I've replaced headlight bulbs a couple of times and I have found that it is not necessary to remove any plastic. You can just reach in and get them.

[jerhofer]

 

Nice, detailed write up. I've replaced headlight bulbs a couple of times and I have found that it is not necessary to remove any plastic. You can just reach in and get them.

Thanks.

You are right.  I was following the manual's directions but I could see that you could get to them without removing the panels.  I had to remove one of the panels anyway to drill the hole for the light sensor.  Easier to do once I put the panel in my vise.

[Conrad]

very nice write up...This component and the signal minder on my to-do list.  One thing that might be helpful to remove the fastners on the side panels (the one's under the windshield) that I learned from Fred's maintenance vid's (which makes it possible to remove them without removing the windshield):  Take a strong wire coat hanger and cut a nice straight section out of the hanger, say about 8" long.  Bend a 100 degree bend in the end section at about 1.5"...so you have sort of a lop-sided "L"...file the edge of the the short piece so it kinda resembles a chisel.  Using this "tool" you can always easily pop the center of the fastner, and then use the "chisel" to lift up the fastner.  I use it all the time I have to remove the fastners, and the tool has a nice storage place next to all my other tools.

I just use a small Allen wrench, no need to make a tool since I have the Allen set out anyways.

[roadie]

damn, Conrad, just when I thought I'd make millions off of Fred's idea :-)

I just use a small Allen wrench, no need to make a tool since I have the Allen set out anyways.

[Conrad]

I'll delete my post if you'll cut me in on some of those millions?   

damn, Conrad, just when I thought I'd make millions off of Fred's idea :-)

[speed545]

i love your set up for the GPS. Can you redirect me to the seller on ebay

[roadie]

SUpport Murph! :-)

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=130_133&products_id=308

[jerhofer]

i love your set up for the GPS. Can you redirect me to the seller on ebay

Turns out I did not get it on EBay.  I got it at PCA. 

http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=3238&RetURL=search&search=bike&bikeType=&bikeMake=Kawasaki&bikeModel=Concours 14&bikeYear=2008

The case for the GPS is called an Aqua Box by RAM.  If you do a search, you will find different sizes to fit various GPS units.  It has provisions for a small padlock.  That padlock would not be much of a deterrent if you left the bike outside at a hotel, but for going in for lunch it is enough to make someone expend some effort to get it off.  It is waterproof as they advertise as I leave it on when I wash the bike and no water penetrates it.

[Conrad]

SUpport Murph! :-)

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=130_133&products_id=308

 

That's where I got mine.

[speed545]

Turns out I did not get it on EBay.  I got it at PCA. 

http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=3238&RetURL=search&search=bike&bikeType=&bikeMake=Kawasaki&bikeModel=Concours 14&bikeYear=2008

The case for the GPS is called an Aqua Box by RAM.  If you do a search, you will find different sizes to fit various GPS units.  It has provisions for a small padlock.  That padlock would not be much of a deterrent if you left the bike outside at a hotel, but for going in for lunch it is enough to make someone expend some effort to get it off.  It is waterproof as they advertise as I leave it on when I wash the bike and no water penetrates it.

Thx. I already have the aquabox and i mounted it on the clutch assembly. I was sure the techmount was to close to the bottom and the aquabox would  not fit between handlebars.

I was wrong i guess. Tkx again

[jerhofer]

Thx. I already have the aquabox and i mounted it on the clutch assembly. I was sure the techmount was to close to the bottom and the aquabox would  not fit between handlebars.

I was wrong i guess. Tkx again

Mine was originally on the clutch assembly as well.  It felt like it was too close, kind of like it was in my face.  This location is much better.  I rode a little over 100 miles today in bright sunlight and could still see the GPS with my sunglasses and visor on.  I like the GPS mode where the speed is showing in large numbers.  Easier to read than the speedometer.

I think my next project will be installing cruise control.  Sure would be nice to rest that throttle hand.

[VirginiaJim]

Guys, let's keep this on topic to the headlight modulator, please.

[roadie]

I just installed mine this morning...went pretty seamless...I also took the time to do some "cable management behind the dashboard.  The wires for my heated gribs were a bit messy back there.  Anyway, I'm digging the modulator...took it for a spin, my son in front of me in a car (this time :-) ) said lots of visibility.  I like the fact that you can turn it off though by just putting low beams on.  I'll do my signal minder tomorrow maybe, but still need to buy some red bulbs for the rear.

[jerhofer]

I just installed mine this morning...went pretty seamless...I also took the time to do some "cable management behind the dashboard.  The wires for my heated gribs were a bit messy back there.  Anyway, I'm digging the modulator...took it for a spin, my son in front of me in a car (this time :-) ) said lots of visibility.  I like the fact that you can turn it off though by just putting low beams on.  I'll do my signal minder tomorrow maybe, but still need to buy some red bulbs for the rear.

IMO, the modulator has to help make us more visible.  There is a reason cop, ambulance, school bus lights flash.  So we can see them.

The red LED bulbs I bought at Autozone work well.  My buddy says they are super bright when I use the turn signals or brakes.

[Smiffer]

The Kisan headlight modulator works great. I have the kit on my VFR and will definitely be installing them on my Concours when I get it in a couple weeks. On my way to work there is a 4 mile stretch of country rode that on average twice a week someone would pull out in front of me on. With the modulators on it has definitely helped.