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My Bike — Installed Upgrades

This file documents the actual modifications installed on my 2000 GL1500 SE. For general upgrade options, fitment notes, and sourcing, see 22-upgrades-mods-parts-sourcing.md.


1. Lighting

1.1 Clear-lens headlight

Detail Value
Part Stanley 033-6349 ⚠️
Type Clear glass lens, replaces stock yellowish/fluted sealed unit
Fitment Direct replacement for GL1500 rectangular headlight housing
  • The Stanley 033-6349 part number is the owner's best identification — verify against the lens stamp if re-ordering.
  • Clear glass improves light transmission vs. the stock tinted/patterned lens, especially with an upgraded bulb.

1.2 Clear front indicators

Detail Value
Part Stanley R2926
Type Clear replacement front indicator lenses
Fitment Direct replacement for stock amber front indicator lenses
  • Requires amber bulbs (or the stock amber bulbs) to remain road-legal — clear lens + clear bulb = white light, which fails indicator regulations in most jurisdictions.
  • Gives the front end a cleaner, more modern look while retaining proper amber signal output.

1.3 Side position lights with indicator function

Detail Value
Type Combination position / indicator lights
Location Side-mounted (replacing or supplementing stock side markers)
Function Steady-on as position lights; flash as turn indicators
  • Improves side visibility and turn-signal conspicuity — useful on a wide touring bike where side-on visibility of indicator intent matters.
  • Wiring ties into both the position light circuit and the L/R indicator circuits.

2. Charging System

2.1 CompuFire 58500 high-output alternator

Detail Value
Part CompuFire 58500
Output 90 A / ~1,200 W (vs. stock ~40 A / ~550 W)
Type Three-phase permanent-magnet alternator, direct-fit replacement
Fitment GL1500 1988–2000 (some sources list through 1999 — the 2000 SE is mechanically identical)
Battery requirement AGM battery strongly recommended (high charge acceptance)
Battery post 8 mm terminal posts (stock GL1500 uses 6 mm — new cables or adapters needed)
  • More than doubles the available charging capacity. Essential if running heated grips, auxiliary lights, a dash cam, and audio simultaneously — stock alternator cannot keep up with that accessory load.
  • The permanent-magnet design eliminates the field coil and its associated brush wear — one less maintenance item.
  • Cable note: the larger 8 mm battery posts require new battery cables or terminal adapters. Verify cable gauge is adequate for the higher current (minimum 8 AWG / 8 mm² recommended for the main feed).
  • See 05-charging-system-and-battery.md for stock charging-system specs and 06-electrical-system-wiring-fuses.md for fuse and wiring details.

3. Comfort / Controls

3.1 Kuryakyn 6471 heated grips

Detail Value
Part Kuryakyn 6471
Type Heated grip kit (replacement grips with integral heating elements)
Fitment GL1500 / ISO-Grip compatible ⚠️
  • Kuryakyn produces several heated-grip variants for the GL1500 platform (ISO-Grip series). The 6471 is the specific part number installed — confirm against current Kuryakyn catalogs if re-ordering, as part numbers shift between model years.
  • Current draw is modest (typically 2–3 A per grip at full heat) — well within the CompuFire 58500's headroom but would stress the stock alternator if combined with other accessories.
  • Wiring should be fused independently (5–10 A inline fuse) and relay-switched from a keyed accessory circuit so the grips cannot drain the battery with the ignition off.

4. Recording / Safety

4.1 Innovv K7 dash cam

Detail Value
Part Innovv K7
Resolution Dual-channel 2K (2560 × 1440) @ 30 fps
Sensor Sony Starvis IMX335, 1/2.8" (×2)
Field of view 120° diagonal, F1.8 aperture
GPS 10 Hz update rate
Storage microSD up to 512 GB (loop recording)
Connectivity Wi-Fi (app preview / download)
DVR unit 80.5 × 56 × 15 mm (3.2 × 2.2 × 0.6 in), 150 g (5.3 oz)
Power 9–16 V DC input, ~0.6 A @ 12 V (~7 W)
Weather rating IP67 (cameras and DVR unit)
  • Dual-channel front + rear recording — the DVR unit tucks under the seat or in a fairing pocket; cameras mount externally.
  • The IP67 rating means fully sealed against rain and wash-down — important for a bike with no weather protection for electronics.
  • Sony Starvis sensors provide good low-light performance for dawn/dusk and tunnel riding.
  • At 0.6 A draw, negligible load even on the stock alternator — not a concern with the CompuFire upgrade.
  • Mounting: the compact DVR unit fits in the GL1500's left trunk pocket or under-seat cavity. Camera cables route along the frame; plan cable runs before final fairing assembly.

5. Tires

5.1 Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra — front

Detail Value
Full designation Metzeler 130/70 B18 63H ME 888 Marathon Ultra Front M/C
Size 130/70 B18 (matches OEM 130/70-18 spec)
Construction Bias-belted (B)
Load index / speed 63H (272 kg / 600 lb @ 210 km/h / 130 mph)
Tube type Tubeless

5.2 Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra — rear

Detail Value
Full designation Metzeler 160/80 B16 75H ME 888 Marathon Ultra Rear M/C
Size 160/80 B16 (matches OEM 160/80-16 spec)
Construction Bias-belted (B)
Load index / speed 75H (387 kg / 853 lb @ 210 km/h / 130 mph)
Tube type Tubeless
  • The ME 888 Marathon Ultra is a long-mileage touring tire — owners report 30,000–50,000 km (18,000–30,000 mi) on the rear depending on load and riding style.
  • Bias-belted construction is correct for the GL1500's cast wheels (do not fit radials on bias-rated rims).
  • Both sizes are direct OEM-size replacements — no clearance or speedometer-calibration issues.
  • See 15-wheels-and-tires.md for OEM tire specs, pressures, and wheel details.

Upgrade Summary

Category Part Key Benefit
Headlight Stanley 033-6349 clear lens ⚠️ Better light transmission
Front indicators Stanley R2926 clear lenses Cleaner aesthetics, same function
Side lights Position + indicator combo Improved side visibility
Alternator CompuFire 58500 (90 A) 2× charging capacity for accessories
Heated grips Kuryakyn 6471 Cold-weather comfort
Dash cam Innovv K7 dual 2K Front + rear recording, IP67
Front tire Metzeler ME 888 130/70 B18 63H Long-mileage touring tire
Rear tire Metzeler ME 888 160/80 B16 75H Long-mileage touring tire

Sources

  • CompuFire 58500 specifications: CompuFire product page and GL1500 forum installation reports
  • Innovv K7 specifications: Innovv official product page
  • Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra specifications: Metzeler tire catalog
  • Stanley part numbers: lens stampings and owner identification

⚠️ Items to Verify

  • Stanley 033-6349 — part number is the owner's best recall; confirm against the physical lens stamp.
  • Kuryakyn 6471 — confirm this is the exact current part number for GL1500 heated grips; Kuryakyn has revised their GL1500 grip lineup over the years.
  • CompuFire 58500 fitment for 2000 model year — some listings say "1988–1999"; the 2000 SE is mechanically identical to the 1999, but confirm CompuFire's own fitment chart.