mini signals for 1979 xs1100 special

[tonyg-5386]

Hi Guys,

I bought a pair of mini signals on ebay but the shafts were too wide to fit throught the headlight mount in the stock location so I returned them. Do any of you guys have mini-signals on your bikes? Mine is a 1979 special. Could you recommend any and where to get them? I don't want led ones.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tony,

You might ask LoneRider, see his recent thread to get his ID to send a PM,

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34848

And see this photo of his special/headlight, those look like bulbs, not LEDS?



T.C.

[Jamie]

Tony,
PM sent

Thanks
Jamie

[natemoen]

TC, that was a whole headlight/turnsignal kit.

[paulapalooza]

I put mini signals on my bike; all I did was drill new holes in the headlight ears and put a nice clean bolt in the original headlight holes. I assume you aren't too worried about remaining stock, so it may be an option.

Here are some pics, if you would like some better ones just let me know.

[TADracer]

Another option for you

If you want an easy way to change the look of your machine you can modify the stock signals by changing to a clear lense and an amber bulb. That alone will be a significant changer. Then you can shorten the stalk of the OEM units and that will bring them in closer.

Here is a pic.

[TopCatGr58]

Well,

After posting about it, it doesn't mean that I actually approve of these little lights especially so close to the headlight! I work with "OLD" people performing eye examinations and I can tell you that many folks out there are driving with much less than 20/20...! 20/40 is all you need for nighttime, and 20/70 is all you need for daytime...and both are with only 1 eye, they don't even have to have the other eye!

SO....both the small lights, and their close proximity to the glaring headlight can make them rather difficult to see. I saw a crotch rocket with some very small ones built in with his tail light and just a few inches apart, and I had a hard time seeing them as well as telling which direction he was signaling towards! And I have 20/15 vision!!!!

If you haven't read my tech tip about why we bikers are invisible in the MISC forum, you might want to take a look, can be a real eye opener!

T.C.

[paulapalooza]

TC,

I totally understand your point about the visibility problems with the smaller turn signals. If I am in a situation where a driver must know where I am going I always hand signal as well. Ultimately, I try and position myself in traffic in a way that my presence could not have any affect on their driving.

[crazy steve]

One thing to be careful of with any non-LED 'mini' turn signal is most of them use 'special' lamps (not something you can get anywhere). If they offer replacement lamps at the time of sale, that's usually a dead-giveaway. You can find 'standard' lamps that will fit and look the same, but they won't have the same light output. The furnished lamps in these usually burn out rather quickly, as the bulb envelope is too small to properly dissipate heat. Installing a standard-sized lamp like a 1157 or 1156 will melt the lens.... BT,DT

[natemoen]

TC,

I totally understand your point about the visibility problems with the smaller turn signals. If I am in a situation where a driver must know where I am going I always hand signal as well. Ultimately, I try and position myself in traffic in a way that my presence could not have any affect on their driving.

As to the hand signals.....they are useless nearly all the time. The majority of the driving world has no clue as to what they mean. All they see (if they see them at all) is some person waving their hand around.

[crazy steve]

As to the hand signals.....they are useless nearly all the time. The majority of the driving world has no clue as to what they mean. All they see (if they see them at all) is some person waving their hand around.

Yep, gotta agree with that. Turn signals have been standard equipment on US cars for what, almost 60 years now? Even on bikes they've been required at least since the early 70s, so there's darn few people who know what you're 'signaling' anymore....

[old_skool]

I kinda like the stock look, its part of the retro look along with the safety issue, but I understand the need to personalize also, I think the close proximity signals makes it look like it belongs on a newer crotch rocket style bike. Now the clear with the amber bulb is a thought. As far as people not seeing you, I don't care if you have a fluorescent chicken on your head, they still won't see you, ex; I use to drive a 75' RED semi car hauler, and people would pull out in front of me, and when stopped by the cops, you know what the number one answer was....I didn't see him!

[tonyg-5386]

Thanks for the options and thoughts. I think I will stick with my original lollipop signals as they fit the look of the bike.

[old_skool]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-DuC0tE7V4&feature=player_embedded