Need help with signal lights

[jmnjrpa]

I have the right front and back left lights not operating. The other two work but do not flash (normal indication of fried bulb). Removed offending bulbs and tested good. The rear both had 2 pole single element bulbs and front had 3 pole dual element bulbs. I have extra signals (not sure what year or model) but all 4 are like the rear units on bike. Appears in manual that all 4 should be the same??? Would really like to get bike inspected today. Any info would help.

Pic of front
http://s561.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=01010014.jpg

Pic of back with ground strap???
http://s561.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=01010018.jpg

[psycoreefer]

what do you mean by 2 pole and 3 pole? I've never seen a twist in style bulb with more then two contacts on the bottom....

On my special the front signals take a standard (1056 I think) bulb with just one contact on the bottom, the rear's take the same. Is it possible the PO switched put the wrong bulbs in those two signals? Try taking the working bulb on the front and putting it on the other side, does it make the left side signals work? Then put it back and switch the working bulb in the rear to the right side, do the right side signals work then? If they do then go get what ever type bulbs those are and replace in the left side, if not then you've got a wiring issue. Make sense?

[jmnjrpa]

It is really weird as you may not be able to see in the pics. The front siginals are totally different from the rear. The body is one pole (contact). On the front the signals use a bulb with two contacts on bottom + body (3 pole) but the rear uses single contact on bottom + body (2 pole). The front has dual element like the ones for brake lights. Could be running lights + signals?? It has me stumped. Never seen anything but single element used for signal lights

[Ivan]

The two pole lamp is called a 1156, which is a single filament bulb. the three pole is an 1157, which is a dual filament. Look inside your receptacles to make sure you have the same number of contacts in the socket, and have the right bulb. Some of these bikes had running lights (dual filament) some did not and used single filament.

[crazy steve]

The fronts are supposed to be dual-element lamps (turn/running), the rears single (turn only). This is how they come from the factory. What a PO may have done is anybodys guess.

Are turn signals required in your state? They're not here (Washington), so you may be worrying about nothing....

'78E original owner

[jmnjrpa]

Thanks Ivan and Steve,

I got them to work by cleaning the contacts but they act funny. Offbeat flashing and short duration sometimes and sometimes not. This is on the stand without moving anything else. Could it be the wattage problem I read elsewhere? Bad contacts at flasher unit? Other?
BTW how'ya doing Ivan?

[jmnjrpa]

Yeah, all original equipment has to operate correctly. As if any cage operators paid any attention or knew what they (signals) were for.

[crazy steve]

As if any cage operators paid any attention or knew what they (signals) were for.

Ain't that the truth....

As to the erratic operation, sounds like some bad connections; I'd check/clean the grounds i.e. attachment points first.

'78E original owner

[WraithKnight]

My signals Are acting funny.

My signals Work on front and back, but when I hit my left turn signal they just get brighter on that side, but don't blink. Same thing with the right side, Right switch those bulbs get brighter but don't blink. Any Ideas what I should check?

[crazy steve]

My signals Work on front and back, but when I hit my left turn signal they just get brighter on that side, but don't blink. Same thing with the right side, Right switch those bulbs get brighter but don't blink. Any Ideas what I should check?

Sounds like either the wrong wattage lamps ('standard' 22w vs OEM-type 27w) or a bad flasher.

'78E original owner