I've read multiple threads in the Stromtrooper forums regarding front running lights and after gleaning everything I could find, I came up with what I thought was the best and easiest solution. The conversion was inexpensive and not very difficult (especially if you like to tinker and can solder!) I have benefited so much from other member's research and "how to" photos (including how to install a fusebox, fork brace, rear wheel spacer, peg extenders, how to "bob" your rear fender, etc.), I decided to put together my information that hopefully will help others.
I started by buying two "Double Contact Sockets" (for $2.12 each) and two dual filament #1157 bulbs from my local auto parts stores.
I suggest doing one side at a time...your second side will go quite quickly! Turn your handlebars and reach in and disconnect the small turn signal wire connector from your wiring harness. Use a 17mm wrench to remove the nut and washer holding the turn signal housing to the bike. Set the nut and washer aside and remove the turn signal housing from the bike.
Cut the two wires leaving at least an inch or more of wire near the small connector - you'll need to re-connect the wires from the new socket back to this connector. (Towards the end, I soldered and used heat shrink tubing to connect the new socket to the small connector.) Remove the single filament bulb, the metal socket and pull out the two wires from the turn signal housing.
Modify both new sockets to fit into your stock turn signal housings (see photos). I had to remove a "U" shaped piece of metal and drill two small holes into the new sockets...one to solder a new ground wire and one for the screw to mount the new socket back into the housing.
Solder a new ground wire onto the new socket the same length as the two wires on the socket. I used a small razor knife to cut the rubber waterproofing "stopper" so all three wires would fit through it before I put everything back into the housing. I also had to get a 1/4" longer screw to attach the new socket to the housing.
If you have a 12V converter, use it to find out which of the new wires runs to the turn signal filament and which runs to the running light filament. (If you don't have a 12V converter you can use your wiring harness to check.) Once you determine which wire is the turn signal wire (the brightest light), solder it and the new ground wire to the small connector that plugs into the wiring harness (the new ground wire connects to the black with white stripe on the small connector.) *The third wire from the housing (the dimmer light) is the running light which will be tied to either (1) the rear tail light or (2) to the switched side of your fusebox if you have one.
Put the housing back into the bike and put the three wires through both the washer and bolt. Snug the bolt tight with a 17mm wrench. Plug the small connector back into your wiring harness. Lastly, fish a wire from a connection to your rear tail light (or from your fusebox), up under the tank and tie it into both running light wires using a whatever connectors that work for you. (I used a Posi-Twist and a Posi-Tap connectors.)
Once mounted and wired, the running lights will come on when you turn your ignition on. They work great for me and I thought this was a fun and worthwhile project! Best of all, I'm a little more visible from the front!!
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