1982 XJ550 Headlight Question???

Hello Everyone,
I have a simple question for all of you that own a 1982 XJ550.....
Is it true that your headlight doesn't come on until the motor starts?
That is the question. Those of you that own one of these bikes, I ask that you go out to it, turn on the key on, see if you have a headlight then start the bike and see if you have a headlight. I am having some headlight issues and I need the answer to this one. So, does your headlight only come on when the motor actually starts???

Thanks in advance,
Old Biker Dude

 

Headlight only comes on when the motor comes on. Just turning on the key won't do it.

 

Got it, Thank you!

 

Some models have a relay the causes the headlight to stay off until the engine is running. It gets triggered by the coil I believe to come on once the engine fires. Sometimes when my engine is cold and starts hard, even if it fires and doesn't start, the headlight still comes on, so to get more power to the starter, I shut the key off and turn it back on to reset the relay.

 

Yes, I talked with Len and BigFitz about the relay and I understand what is going on now. Thank you for your reply.