Author Topic: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!  (Read 4203 times)

Offline Greybeard

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Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« on: 27.08. 2017 12:10 »
This is a bee-in-the-bonnet subject for me since seeing a motorcyclist ride into the side of a car that saw his, (forgotten) left indicator flashing and pulled out in front of him.

Whenever I take part in club ride-outs I see other riders forget to cancel their winker.

I will not fit flashers to my motorcycle. I will continue to use hand signals, (even though half the car drivers on the road find it too hard to operate that little lever!).

If you install indicators on your motorcycles please connect them up to a Klaxon to remind you they are still flashing!

Is there a timer device that could cancel the indicator after a few seconds?

This might be good. 12v though:
https://goo.gl/8sjF1D
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #1 on: 27.08. 2017 12:56 »
Hi GB
Quote
Is there a timer device that could cancel the indicator after a few seconds?

Yes there is, I remember reading about them on another forum
A simple electronic bleeper can be wired in as a warning
Or wire two push buttons left and right that will only operate the flashers while the button is pressed

To my mind with modern traffic I can see the benefits of indicators over hand signals

One of the riders on out Irish National Rally last week had flashing armbands on each wrist that increased his chances with hand signals  *wink2*

John
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Offline duTch

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #2 on: 27.08. 2017 14:51 »

 I know it's been flogged a bit, I'm I'm with GB- I only ever had one bike with dinkas and generally forgot to cancel them.

 I also for a long time was not in the habit of hand signals but being in town more I've got it the habit, but in a more 'assertive' way (me>there / you NOT >there kinda thing)

 A couple of months ago, I briefly saw a rider with rabbit/Elk ears on his hat that flashed, looked silly but probably effective
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Offline Greybeard

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #3 on: 27.08. 2017 16:04 »
...wire two push buttons left and right that will only operate the flashers while the button is pressed
Good idea!
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline rocker21

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #4 on: 29.08. 2017 14:36 »
many years ago i had a BMW R75/5 that i bought from Gus khun motorcycles in London and that was brilliant as the indicator circuit was connected to the spedo, and after a short distance they canceled, you only had a a push button on each side of the handle bar  once pressed it started the link to the spedo  and then canceled,  a very simple but effective system, why this can't be done now i don't know especially with the modern electronic spedo's that smiths now make , would make a very good safety feature.
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Offline RoyC

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #5 on: 29.08. 2017 15:26 »
...wire two push buttons left and right that will only operate the flashers while the button is pressed
Good idea!
Perhaps adapt two cutout buttons, one on either side.
When someone with more electrical knowhow than me works it out, post a wiring diagram.  *computer*
Roy.
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Offline Greybeard

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #6 on: 29.08. 2017 17:14 »
Have a look at this schematic circuit I found on line. If you extended each of the 'Indicator Switch' contacts out to press buttons you'd have what we need. As long as the button is held the indicator on that side will flash. Hold them both for Hazard Warning indicators!

Cheap timer modules such as this one: https://goo.gl/cNWgWu could be added if required to avoid having to hold the button down.
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline RoyC

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #7 on: 29.08. 2017 20:03 »
Have a look at this schematic circuit I found on line. If you extended each of the 'Indicator Switch' contacts out to press buttons you'd have what we need. As long as the button is held the indicator on that side will flash. Hold them both for Hazard Warning indicators!

Cheap timer modules such as this one: https://goo.gl/cNWgWu could be added if required to avoid having to hold the button down.

Like this ?

Wouldn't that just short out the circuit ?
My bike is a 1958 A7SS
Staffordshire UK

Offline coater87

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #8 on: 29.08. 2017 21:40 »
 Thats not the right type of timing module.

 Whats going to happen with that is you push down the button, the timer starts timing, once it reaches its preset (by you) time delay, it will turn on the bulb. It will not blink like you want.

 Lee

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Offline Greybeard

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #9 on: 29.08. 2017 22:54 »
This maybe. If that switch represents the standard toggle switch I've just extended the contacts out to the two handlebar switches. Would only flash the winkers as long as the buttons were pressed so add a timer module, (may need two) wired so that its relay is self latching for a set period, (say 5 seconds?).
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline Greybeard

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #10 on: 30.08. 2017 08:36 »
Been pondering this. You would need to be able to cancel the indicator so would need to arrange for timer to be stopped when required.
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline Rex

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #11 on: 30.08. 2017 09:32 »
Years back I had a Yamaha XS250, and despite being probably the worst Japanese motorcycle ever made, it had timed self-cancelling indicators, so rather than reinventing circular transport devices, how about checking out Ebay or bike breakers for a timer unit?
{I'm guessing other Yahamas of this age (early 1980s) probably had the same unit fitted!}

Offline RoyC

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #12 on: 30.08. 2017 09:33 »
This maybe. If that switch represents the standard toggle switch I've just extended the contacts out to the two handlebar switches.

Aah, I was thinking about using the chrome cut out switches, I can see now that a different kind of switch is required.
My bike is a 1958 A7SS
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Offline Peter in Aus

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #13 on: 30.08. 2017 10:01 »
Why are retro fitted indicators more dangerous than ones fitted from new? *fight*
Peter

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Offline Black Sheep

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Re: Retro fitted indicators = dangerous!
« Reply #14 on: 30.08. 2017 10:58 »
Because you are so used to not having them, it's easy to forget you now have them. With a new bike, everything is unfamiliar so using indicators is part of getting used to the new bike.
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