turn signal flasher

[BigDick]

it doesn't flash. lol long story, check the member's lounge for it. anyway I was working on my girl, got interrupted, came back at nearly dark and checked the new turn signals I installed a little while back, they'll flash once or twice and then come on steady and stay on. if I tap or wiggle the flasher it kicks in and flashes. Is my flasher dead? Dirty connections? or just not enough juice in the battery? (the motor was not running)

[CatatonicBug]

Will it flash if the motor is running? I know there is something about the voltage level that will not allow the electrical system to function properly if the voltage gets just a little low.

[STEPPENWOLF]

In my case after reading all the fixes it turned out to be just a little dirt/corrosion on the fuse connection and I mean I didn't see a thing..but I feel better now that I cleaned about all the conections...

[bikerphil]

If battery voltage is good and connections are all solid, the flasher unit can be taken apart and cleaned. There are contact points inside that can be sanded. This will usually solve the problem.

[BigDick]

thanks guys, I'll try all of this tomorrow afternoon. I got interrupted about 6 and got back home about 15 minutes before dark, could hardly see what i was doing.

[fredintoon]

- - - checked the new turn signals I installed a little while back, they'll flash once or twice and then come on steady and stay on. if I tap or wiggle the flasher it kicks in and flashes. - - -

Hi BigDick,
did you check the wattage of the bulbs in your new turn signals? The stock flasher needs all of the designed 2 x 27 = 54 Watts load or it don't work and the flashers just shine steady.

[XS Jeff]

Electronic Flasher

Unless you really love your auto-cancel feature, I recommend getting an electronic flasher (a two prong one from any auto parts store). They are about 10bucks including tax, and will flash lights regardless of wattage and whether or not you are at idle for 2 minutes or downshifting with 6k on the tach.

[Ivan]

Huh?

You mean you guys don't have to push the switch back and forth to make it flash? When did they put flashers on these bikes?

Next you're going to tell me they have five speed transmissions too.

[corey]

I second XS Jeff. I bought one of those units from Auto Zone. Plug and play. I love how my flashers ALWAYS work now... not to mention they always work at the same tempo now.

[BigDick]

Will it flash if the motor is running? I know there is something about the voltage level that will not allow the electrical system to function properly if the voltage gets just a little low.

Hand this man a cigar! I finally got everything buttoned up, repainted my battery box, charged the battery, drained and refilled the gas tank, new fuel lines and inline filters, halfa$$ed carb cleaning, had the cracked exhaust welded, and my girl fired right up and purred like a kitten. She had a little bit of a stumble from idle when you crack the throttle, and a very little bit of white smoke from the right bank bank until it warmed up.

[CatatonicBug]

Hand this man a cigar! I finally got everything buttoned up, repainted my battery box, charged the battery, drained and refilled the gas tank, new fuel lines and inline filters, halfa$$ed carb cleaning, had the cracked exhaust welded, and my girl fired right up and purred like a kitten. She had a little bit of a stumble from idle when you crack the throttle, and a very little bit of white smoke from the right bank bank until it warmed up.

So, I take it the turn signals flashed fine once it was running?? You really gotta stop giving us half the story

[BigDick]

So, I take it the turn signals flashed fine once it was running?? You really gotta stop giving us half the story

Yep, that's why you get the cigar. I'm somewhat dyslexic, especially on the computer and when telling stories, I forget I haven't told the middle part that's usually fairly relevant.

So now should I worry about the little bit of white smoke when I start her up?

[Ivan]

usually that is an indication of valve stem seals being worn out.

That little bit of smoke comes from oil seeping down the valve guide when the engine sits. It will burn away after a few seconds of running.

The valve guides have clearances in the few thousandths, so oil won't go flooding into the engine, even if there is no seal installed.

I would say there isn't much to worry about. On an otherwise good running engine, valve seals will eventually make a white ashy looking deposit on the electrode of the spark plug, and it is easily scraped off. I have never seen one fouled by that either.

[corey]

usually that is an indication of valve stem seals being worn out.

That little bit of smoke comes from oil seeping down the valve guide when the engine sits. It will burn away after a few seconds of running.

The valve guides have clearances in the few thousandths, so oil won't go flooding into the engine, even if there is no seal installed.

I would say there isn't much to worry about. On an otherwise good running engine, valve seals will eventually make a white ashy looking deposit on the electrode of the spark plug, and it is easily scraped off. I have never seen one fouled by that either.

Mine does it too... the white smoke that is. Its done it since I bought it five years ago. Hasn't really gotten worse. No other adverse symptoms. LET HER ROLL!