Motorcycle headlights without a battery?

i'm seeing custom bikes w/ headlights but no battery. (racer style cafe style etc.) are they hiding it, or running straight off the alternator/generator/magneto ??

obviously this would mean kick or bump starts only and headlights only while the engine is on. but how is it done?

Motorcycle headlights without a battery?best antivirus software

They use a battery eliminator. This is a capacitor installed to replace battery.

Also many magneto bikes did not utilize batteries. (ex XLCH) The mag supplies power for ignition circuit and generator (dynamo) or alternator (stator) supplies power for all the rest. Some early bikes only had a mag for all power

And the lights are not only when the engine is on but only when it is rapping fast enough to spin generator and produce electricity. (no lights at an idle)

Motorcycle headlights without a battery?firewall

I ran my 1978 Honda XL 350 with a totally dead battery for years. Yup, kickstart, and the headlight was on only while the engine was running.
Stator to voltage regulator to headlight. Thats how it is on my 1985 XR200R. Light when runnung even at an idle.

1981 yamaha xs400?

I just purchased an 81 Yamaha XS400 Special, and I am planning on turning it into a cafe racer styled bike.

The aesthetic parts of the project are easy to find, things like fairings, seats, etc. but where can I find performance parts for a bike this old?

Also where should i start with upgrading the bike?

Are there any trouble spots with this specific model?

Thanks for any help.

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dunno, but try http://www.mikesxs.net/ or http://xs400.blogspot.com/ for info, they seem to have their sh1t toghther

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If you truly want a cafe racer it would be cheaper in the long run to get a different motorcycle. The XS400 were decent bikes but when you add up the cost of all of the things you will need to replace it would be chaper to buy a newer motorcycle that already has better performance than a XS400 will even have, even modified. And modified motors don't usually last as long as a motor left stock.
their a bit heavy to make a decent cafe from but if you must brace the frame remove airbox,rejet carbs to suit 2/1 exhaust .regrind cams,lighten the bike where ever posible including the wheels.only bad weak spot on these is the valves i don't think you can buy them any more. it'l never beat an rd/rz but it mite be fun trying..
The special was not a sport bike in the first place but did have a good engine. Performance can be improved by doing the top and bottom end, in take and exhaust sides. Then to match the performance you will have to upgrade suspension front and rear and brakes also. Add cost of each and its not worth all the trouble. Get a Honda 400 VFR or similar and do the mods on body parts for a `cafe racer`styled bike

Triumph Bonnevilles. 1972 Meriden T140 or 2001 Hinckley T100?

Which would you go for? The origional iconic bike that defined an era of cafe racers in the late '60s and early '70s. The sort of bikes owned by the "rockers" in Quadrophenia. Lots of character that came with oil leaks and breakdowns, but also prestige and pride of ownership. Or the "modern classic" retro? Comes with all the reliability and ruggedness of a modern motorcycle, but somehow (despite the fact it looks very similar) lacks the character and rider/machine bond the origional created?

So Origional or modern replica?

At least both are British designed and built!

Triumph Bonnevilles. 1972 Meriden T140 or 2001 Hinckley T100?cafe racer

I certainly wouldn't want a Meriden T140, so of the two I'd have to plump for the 2001 Hinckley T100......even though I haven't seen or ridden one. It has to be better than the T140, just HAS to be. ( I think the pre unit construction Bonnies were the best, late 50's/early 60's)......... :-)

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I own both vintage and modern motorcycles. There's something unique about pulling up to a group of riders on a vintage bike. Even die hard H-D enthusiasts come over and shoot the bull with you. Riding a vintage bike makes you appreciate modern machinery so much more on long rides.

Internet cafe fun?

Hold mouse up to ear like a cell phone and yell "I can't hear you!!! You're going to have to speak louder!"

Play Pac Man and state to person next to you, "These new games are incredible!"

Practice 'spinning mouse mat on index finger' globe trotter routine.

Put your monitor's contrast and brightness on full. With wide open eyes yell "It's going to implode!"

Tell the cashier you wish to redeem your free 1000 hours and hand him a bag full of collected AOL promo CD's.

Typing hard and loudly looking behind you yell, "STOP MAKING ME TYPE THIS - IT WILL ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE!"

Sit at the web terminal... without a chair.

Wheel your leather executive chair into Internet cafe and up to the computer with the largest monitor. Sit down, turn to the person next to you handing them a stack of papers, "Get these photocopied right away, the president wants them by end of day."

Direct the web cam to your exposed erect c*ck.

Casually look around the room for people in chat rooms, log into the same chat room and after a brief and somewhat disturbing conversation state "Your blue jeans go well with your white shirt."

Use computer's speakers to play collection of Sesame Street MP3's.

Dress up in ragged and worn clothes. Walk into an Internet cafe that uses Windows with squeegee and bucket, begin to squeegee monitors for spare change.

Honda cx 500?

can you reproduce a hond cx 500 motorcycle in to a cafe racer style if all safety issues are met in canada . changing handel bars ect.

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Take a look at this (CX500E): http://www.mourneman.co.uk/motorbikes/bi...

Which crotch rocket?

I have a BMW R1000GS which fits me like a glove. But I've always had an eye for the Cafe-racers and then the crotch-rockets and finally got a chance to ride a Suzuki SV1000S. Just love the riding position and the feel. I want to buy a crotch rocket as a second bike and keep it until the novelty wears off.

So what to get? I don't want to deal with mechanical problems but I want to save money so am looking used. Is a 600 big enough? Do I want a twin or 4-cylender? What will have good resale?

The Triumph Datona really catches my eye, how does it stack up?

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This is a question only you can truely answer. I will attempt to help you in pointing you in a direction though.

I own a 2005 gsxr 750..AND a 2007 gsxr 1000. Both are tops in its class.Ive riden for over 20 years,im only 35 but have experienced many different types of motorcyles.

First you need to determine what you want froma bike. power? speed? handling? Or do you just want bragging rights at the next bike night?

The best answer i can give you is that these days,all the crotch rocket companies all produce exceptional machines.I like the suzuki for is superb handling and insane power,it never ends.But you can find that in most liter bikes (1000cc).

I wouldnt recomend buying a 600 cc bike if youve been riding a bigger bike.You will out grow it fast.they are limited in power and theres not much one can do in the way of aftermarket products to get significant HP gains.

Help me choose a retro bike?

I have been pondering over a new bike and like the classic retro look of a Triumph Thruxton or CCM SR40 Street Scrambler.

Different rides I know - Cafe Racer style %26 classic old school scrambler both with modern engines and components.

I have a '98Fazer 600 to quench my thirst for reasonably fast road riding and I will probably hang onto it as it wont realise much cash now (not compared to an equal replacement anyway).

Which would you choose and why?

Help me choose a retro bike?computer virus

There aren't too many bikes that I would call retro available. The Triumphs, Bonneville, T100, Scrambler and Thruxton are modern bikes with retro looks. The Dnepr's, Chang Jiang, Urals, and Royal Enfields are true old school bikes based on ancient technology.

It depends on what you want. If you want new tech (low maintenance) get a Triumph. Of those I prefer the T100 because of the looks and more comfort over the Thruxton. If you want to work on you bike, bike one of the true old school bikes. I like the Enfield because of the looks, but it might be a bit too small for any real extended rides.

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Sorry I cant really help.I gave up and restored a 1967 BSA lightning.
If it's retro your looking for check out Ural motorcycles. They make a Russian version of the WW2 BMW motorcycle with some modern upgrades. This is truly a cool bike. Most of them come with a side car, but I'm sure you can get the bike without the side car in the retro version. www.imz-ural.com/retro/