I find this whole topic baffling, and read thru it in disbelief. Are you guys for real???
If you guys are having difficulty operating a motor vehicle safely then perhaps its time to hang up the helmet and keys. I also find it amusing/disturbing on a forum for bikes last built in 63 and earlier that some or most of you dont have OTHER motorcycles, including modern mounts.
I do readily acknowledge and most MC safety experts recommend that when switching mounts to exercise caution and perhaps familiarize yourself in a parking lot or sparsely populated area before entering higher traffic areas. Cornering, stopping, and riding techniques all need adjustment switching from bike to bike as well as practice. Its also important to refresh your skills when you dont ride every day.
Its a common problem in my part of the world where many of the vintage MC clubs have rides and you have riders who are rusty in skills, or riding a vintage bike when the day before they were on a modern one, or,,,, bikes that sit for long periods with infrequent service all add up to crashes.
To address issues more at home for me, in the western US States it is illegal to operate a vehicle without turn signals after dark. Period.
Do people do so? Sure.. But each time you do a police officer can cite you.
To be fair: "A gentleman does not motor about after dark" Joseph Lucas
The reality of modern traffic is they are all distracted and self absorbed. Assume ALL other vehicles on the road are out to kill you and proceed accordingly. (Cell phones are the #1 culprit. But I had a friend ran over on his MC by a guy fiddling with his car stereo and was distracted.
Modern signals with a vintage appearance and easy to fit, and no excuse not to unless your bike is a museum display or Trailer queen-Trophy whore. Modern LEDs can be fitted and almost no drain at all from your feeble charging system, Its also easy to mount a small discreet indicator panel within eyesight, My Ducati's Buells and post 1994 HD sportys all have self cancelling signals and most any Asian bike does. Easy enough to copy or adapt them. (Probably you need to make some adjustments to your polarity).
I also fit a battery powered flasher unit from Bicycles to the back of my helmet and set it to a pulsing light. Technically its borderline illegal (I researched it) but I have a compelling argument. I also fit reflective safety tape to a few spots on my helmet and when in city traffic I often wear a reflective safety vest over my leathers. (Neon Yellow/Orange)
You can also dramatically increase your lighting by well proven mods and LEDs are the future.
Picture any urban landscape with multiple lanes of traffic, flashing neon signs, roadway signage and reflectors, Wide range of shapes and colors with buildings, cars, bill boards etc. You dressed in dark clothing with a tiny filament 6 v tail light gets lost in that sea of colors and flashes of light. Small wonder that rear end collisions are so common these days and the toughest to defend against.
I personally have been rear ended by a speeding drunk driver texting. Me= 45-50 mph on a motorcycle. Her= 75-80 mph in a Audi S4 and never hit the brakes or attempted evasion.
I cratered her windshield so hard the rear window of her car dislodged. I can personally attest that it is highly unpleasant to be a hood ornament.
Dont you folks have more pressing issues to sort out?
