K11 Owners Group

[Flying Duck]

A few years ago for my K1100LT, I bought a small PWM (pulse width modulator) for about $19 on Fleabay to replace the HG switch on my LT. I built it into a BMW switch blank on the dash and hooked up the output not only to the heated grip elements but also to a 3mm diffused LED right above the knob so I’d know it was working and to make the knob easier to find when riding in the dark.





I know it doesn't sound like a huge improvement over hi/lo/off but I found it really nice to be able to dial the HGs in right where I needed them. Plus it eliminated the risk of the BMW low setting resistive wire melting its insulation off and causing a short – which had already happened to me once on that bike.

A little while later I was surfing Fleabay and came across a “12V 8A LED Dimmer” (it’s just a PWM) for only $3 shipped. Having been spoiled by the variable HGs on the LT, it was a no-brainer to buy one and install it on my K1100RS. Given the price and coming from China, I was a little skeptical about quality but I installed it a couple of years ago and it still works great. Best $3 I ever spent.





Fast forward to 2014. When I rejuvenated the K75 turbo it didn’t have heated grips so I installed some Symtecs operated with an OEM switch. Unlike the BMW setup, these have two heating elements on each side, high and low. Although I’ve installed Symtecs on several previous Ks and had good results, this K75 has a C fairing with no hand protection from the elements so I found the high setting to be somewhat lacking when it’s rather cold out.

I decided that the solution was to hook both high and low elements up to the output of a PWM in order to be able to get more heat out of the Symtecs but without putting both at full-time 12V which would probably be way too hot or possibly melt/warp the plastic throttle tube.

When you open up the $3 PWM, the controlling potentiometer on the front of it has three wires going to the PWM circuit board. As I found out when I did my K1100RS, all you need to do is lengthen those wires from the controller knob potentiometer to the circuit board and find a spot to hide the circuit board.

On that bike I just mounted the original box under the right knee pad vent where there’s plenty of room. On the K75 with a C faring there’s not a lot a free space so I decided to put the circuit board in a 2 3/4" x 1 5/8" x 7/8" plastic “project box” that I could stash under the tank since it doesn't take up very much room.



I had to cut the sides of a switch blank to make the knob’s potentiometer fit in the switch blank. I covered it up with black electrical tape before I finished.



So the K75 now has not only variable heated grips but a way to get the Symtecs a little hotter when needed. Just in time for summer….LOL.



If you don't like DIY projects then you can use something like a Heat-Troller instead to get variable heated grips.

The best price for the Symtecs these days is here: http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/Symtec-Motorcycle-Hand-Warmer-Kit-with-Round-Rocke-p/4463188.htm?Click=35177
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[SugarHillCTD]

Drake,

Nicely done.

You are the king of K bike mods.

The variable HG controller is great. I had taken the easy way out and just clipped off the low heat setting wire.
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.