Big thanks to 'qualdoth' on the SBN forums for his very helpful and informative write up!! I had a printed copy with me while I was doing this mod. A few things to add:

The ONLY part I had to remove were the 2 'inner faring' pieces, that's it!

You will need to order 2 x '03 Yamaha R1 Pod Light Sockets ( www.bikebandit.com part #1486440-001, Yamaha Part # 5PW-84312-00-00).

TIP - Instead of soldering the wires, I used crimpable splices found at any automotive store.
http://www.picocanada.com/catalogue/1558-1562.asp

So for those of you who may not have soldering tools or any soldering skills, these little splices make it an easy way to do the mod with out any soldering at all!

First off, "what are POD lights?" There are small lights located above the main headlights. For most North American FZ6 owners, our bikes do not come with them, while FZ6 owners form Europe and Australia come with them stock.

My super bright Blue LED bulbs.

Pod Light Update - March 20, 2006 - Adding a hidden switch for the Pod Lights

I have just added a very nice and very hidden switch to turn the pod lights on and off. I was thinking of where would be a good place to "hide" a switch, yet still have relatively quick access to it. Here is the solution ...sometimes I even amaze my self.....(insert drum roll here)

I purchased a small on/off switch and decided to mount it into the top of the left inner faring, so it will be UNDER the rubber boot of the left mirror!!! This way I can easily activate and 'feel' it's position, but no one can see it!!!

Switch and switch hole location - just had to dremel it out.

Mounting the switch here is also beneficial for several other reasons:

1- If you bugger up the dremeling out the switch hole, it will be covered up with the rubber mirror boot.
2- No one but you knows it is there.
3- If you decide to remove the switch down the road (selling bike), no one will see any holes in the faring.

Switch mounted into faring

Running switch control wires through the tube frame behind instrument panel - I think Enygma was asking how to nicely run wires from one side to the other...well this piece of perfectly placed tubular frame makes a wonderful wire conduit.

Back of switch with 'pigtail' extension so hook up is easy when installing the faring back onto the bike.

All done!!!

UPDATE - March 31, 2007

Since having blue POD lights are technically "illegal", I wanted to further improve on my hidden switch design by adding in a small LED indicator to tell me when my POD lights were ON or OFF. Sometimes, especially with thick winter gloves on, it's hard to be sure if I turned the little hidden switch off.

Now with this little LED, I will be sure! It is ON when my POD lights are on.

It is a soft glowing green LED and it is a tad hard to see if it's on in daylight, but then again my blue POD lights also get washed out in daylight. I rode tonight and the LED is very easy to see at night, but still subtle and not overpowering (not as bright as say the green neutral light).

Now some may ask "well why didn't you just use a switch with an LED built into it. Thought of that, but then it defeats the purpose of having a "hidden" switch. The switch is still unseen and if asked, my green LED is for my "alarm system"!

Additional Info:

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=290581 - Fantastic installation how-to!!

- Boneman