Modern Vespa

What is the purpose of the odd light bulb. You know the little one at 7 o'clock in the Lx150 headlight assembly? It' is on all the time. the only thing that makes sense to me is that it is needed for some markets and it is just cheaper to install it on all scooters and just wire it in as needed.

Is it a parking lamp for the French? Thinking of installing the "death ray" in that socket if i can figure out how to wire it. Will the charging system handle it?

Some markets don't require the headlight to be on all the time and provide a switch to turn it on and off. In those markets the small bulb provides a running light. I think (but not positive) that the green light on the dash is related to that as well.

For the US market the running light and the green light on the dash are pointless (IMO) and removing them is one of the first things I do when I get a bike. I use the lead for the pilot light as a keyed power source for my tachometer.

I think you're onto it

In Japan, that's a daytime running light/parking light. It's popular to change the color of the bulb. I wish we had this in the states. I hate the feeling of having a 'modified by the government overlords' bike. Maybe we can find a source for genuine non-USA Vespa parts.

On English market machines a parking light used to be required. If you were leaving it on the street at night you had to leave the parking lights on. I don't know if thats still done but I had such two watt secondary bulbs in multiple English headlamps made between 1950 and 1980.

we dont need parking lights any more in uk ,they stopped that in early 60s

In Australia the main head light on my 300GTS, and I assume all other models, is on whenever the engine is running. The small parking light in the headlight unit is also on at the same time - there's no way of turning off either bulb!

I always thought that bulb was installed to draw a little more current from the charging system forcing us to take longer rides to keep our battery in good condition. If we remove the bulb will we be able to take shorter rides and still charge our battery?

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Equipment_Chart_2010.pdf -- In the U.S., less than half of the States require Daylight Headlight Use. It looks as if the wiring is built for an *off* position for the headlight. The headlight switch looks like it could be trimmed to allow it to a third position, if you want to be able to turn your headlight off.

Sigh. I don't want to work on my scooter, but there parts that been to be corrected. I have only had it 3 weeks, but I already have a decent horn. I want the kit to put the front turn signals where they belong an not those silly balls on the handlebar. And to be able to turn off the headlight.

I do not like "daylight headlights" -- I do not want to be seen. If they can not see me, they can not aim at me.

Very good input on this thread today. That light, my dear friend, is an emergency light in case your headlight burns out. 8)

I do not like "daylight headlights" -- I do not want to be seen. If they can not see me, they can not aim at me.[/quote]

I want to be seen...too may drivers texting, day dreamng and not paying attention. My light draws attention to my presence. Too many accidents with the response : "didn't see him coming."