I was wondering if someone could help me out with my question. I have a 1990 exciter and when I got it it was kind of ratty, including some of the wiring. The grips were spliced into the headlight but the switch was bad so they did not work last year. I installed a new switch and took the same power source. I also connected the thumb warmer to the head light. Now is this ok?? I noticed with the grips and thumb warmer on the lights are considerably dimmer. I dont believe the grips are factory (because of the wiring mess.) Is there an alternate power source that wouldnt dim the lights?? Also i have the grips wired in series. Is the ok??Or do i need to paralel them?? Any advice would rock!

I believe the wires normally tap into the main wiring harness right after the CDI, that way, you'll still have a full 12v comming from the voltage regulator to the headlight. I'm going to pull my 93 Venture out of storage today, which is basically the same sled but with a different hood and windshield. I'll take a pic of how my warmers are wired in and post it here this evening for you. I've got hand warmers on the bars, and on the back passenger grips, so I'm pulling more power than you will be, and my light doesn't dim at all.

I believe in order to get the same voltage to each of the components, you would want them wired in parallel.

Thanx for your help guys. I found a wire comming out of the engine by the mag that goes to nothing.(white in color it think.) I metered it out and I have 12 volts there. I'm asuming this was where the grips were hooked up to originally. I paralelled the grips (I forgot that series=more resistance....stupid me!!)I guess that would explain the voltage sag and dimming lights. Its been raining the last two days . the 12" of snow we got is all gone.....now wait for more snow.
I bought a new seat cover for it and tried to get that done last night,but the staple gun i have doesnt have enough power to staple through the plastic. Anyone know of good staple gun that can do the job. Thanks in adavace!! Think snow!!!

I am in the midst of recovering my seat as well. I noticed that shorter staples were used in the plastic parts. Maybe that's the secret....shorter staples....less bending.....

Yeah I noticed the shorter staples too. I bought a "heavy duty" staple gun ,its an Arrow. It just wont go through the plastic. It will penetrate the wood but thats it. Oh well, back to Fleet Farm.

Ok seat is done.Got an eletric stapler. You have to be sure you are firm and square when stapling. It took a couple of bad ones to get it right. but it turned out awesome. Good luck with yours rvanderklok!