how do i rewire my 1974 xl175 honda to run with no battery but still have lights?

Question

i want to rewire my honda xl175to run all its electrics directly from magneto thus removing battery from system.i will be removing all excessive lighting(blinkers/running lights etc. i want to make a street legal ,offroad bike w / minimum weight and electrical system thank you

Answer 1

As noted, it depends upon state laws. In our state the law reads "If equipped with turn signals they must function." So if you completely remove them, your fine.

HOWEVER! The battery probably weighs what? 5 lbs? You'll end up removing a total of 8 or 9? Believe me, that little weight isn't going to make much difference on that bike. Especially considering that in all likelihood you'll end up having to use a battery eliminator (if you can even find one anymore) to make this project work.

If the bike is in good shape, leave it alone. A '74 model bike isn't a classic, especially that one, but someone, somewhere would probably love to have it just as it is. Sell it and find a more current model dual sport that will suit your needs better.

Answer 2

Interesting, you say you want it street legal, but are removing all the other lights. Depending on where you are, our state statute says any motorcycle manufactured after January1, 1973 must have all of the above (except for a battery).
Do you think the battery is going to make it into a brutal, awesome off-road machine? You are talking about a 175 Honda XL, not a TT-500 Yamaha.
Do what you think is right, but if I saw it out with no turn signals, etc. you would probably have gotten a defective equipment ticket for it and had to put it all back on.

Answer 3

Whats an XL175? I've heard of CB and CD175 twin cylinder bikes but the only XL single was either 125 or 185 and it had direct lighting for headlights with battery being used for tail light, brake light and direction indicators.
You will either have to use a capacitor or a battery eliminator with your desired set up or you will be blowing bulbs as rpm increases and voltage rises

Answer 4

Back in the day of the XL-175 single a company use to make a battery elliminator kit.See if you can find one on the ebay or at aHonda shop. Good luck.