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DIY Dual Sport Lighting Kit by Stu on 4Strokes.com

4Strokes.com Technical: Do-It-Yourself Dual Sport Kit by Stu

I'm so glad I didn't get a road legal dual sport kit because I did everything myself for a whole lot less money. You should be able to do everything yourself for a small fraction of the cost of a new dual sport kit. Here is my take:

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  1. The first thing you should do is go down to your local Motor Vehicle Department or check out their Website, or check the Dual Sport Requirements Per State document in Tech section of 4Strokes.com and learn exactly what is required to make your dirt bike road legal. It varies state-to-state, and then use that to determine what will need to be done. You can also check our Forums for dual sport topics.
  2. You can easily get a three-wire (for running lights) socket to power a brake and running light. I modified my two-wire brake light socket by simply soldering in a third wire to power a two-filament bulb, maintaining the running light and gaining a brake light. I ran this third wire in the existing plastic sheath.
  3. hydraulic brake light switchI would suggest getting only one brake light switch, a hydraulic switch for the rear brake. My street bike only used the rear brake for turning on the brake light. Do you really need the light to come on with the front brake too? If you do a search on the Internet for "hydraulic brake light switch" you'll come up with many Websites that sell a hydraulic brake light switch to fit your existing brake line. There are typically two different kinds -- one for Brembo and one for Japanese. They sell for $20.
  4. I got some nice low profile turn signals, but haven't had a need to install/wire them in the state I am located now. You could easily wire them in and install a blinker. You can also get a street-bike style switch assembly for about $60.
  5. Keeping the factory headlight is fine. Doing so will not need boosting the alternator output. However, does your Motor Vehicle Department say the headlight must be Motor Vehicle Department (DOT) approved? While most police will not be checking for this approval, it is something to keep in mind. An upgrade may be desired if you don't want to take your chances, although I'd be surprised if a cop was looking for a headlight to be Motor Vehicle Department (DOT) approved. Be sure to check your state requirement for a hi/low beam. If a hi/low beam is required you will need to wire in that switch also.
  6. No battery is needed unless, as stated above, your Motor Vehicle Department requires a headlight to be illuminated with the engine off. If so, the solution is simple. Just get a small 12VDC battery pack and temporarily strap it on somewhere. Get a big enough battery so it'll power the lights for at least a couple minutes, just long enough to pass the inspection and then whip that bad boy off.
  7. You should not need to boost the alternator output (rewind the stator). Stock output will be fine if all you're doing is powering the stock (35 watt) headlight, taillight and brake light, and possibly the turn signals. If you want higher output for aftermarket lights check the Tech section for stator rewinding or have yours rewound by a company.
  8. If there is a requirement for the bike to have turn signals, then by all means install them. You can even wire them and get them working. I would at least wire them partially so a casual inspection will show wires coming out of them, giving the appearance that they are working and legitimate. Of course, if an inspection is required, you'll have to have them working (no big deal). Just use a single pull, double throw switch. Just having them installed on the bike might satisfy the authorities if you get pulled over.

I have an '02 XR250R with a stock 35W headlight, running the stock 5W taillight modified for use as a 20W brake light. No problem at all - works fine. The headlight will dim a little with the brake applied at slow/idle speeds, but no big deal. The light is pretty dim for night use. If I used it more at night, I would install my 50W halogen light that I got for this but then I would want to rewind the stator, as the stock 75W output (at 5K RPM) will be pretty low. I would say keeping the stock 35W headlight along with a tail/brake light and turn signals will be okay. The voltage may dip too low to power the turn signals if the headlight and brake lights are on at the same time. If that's the case, then I would rewind the stator. I would not use a battery. It's heavier and you'll have to find a place to mount it and something else to go replace. Then you would want to convert the alternator AC output to DC, which means adding a rectifier.

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Credits: Article written and submitted by Stu and edited by 4Strokes.com


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