Need Ideas On Turn Signals

Hey everyone,

I am looking at ideas for turn signals. I tried searching the forums for anyone that has installed aftermarket turn signals on their 1st gen. but didn't find anything. I'm not sure if I want to put the stock turn signals back on my bike. (they are not in the best shape and I have yet to find any NOS) I'm not looking for anything too "out there". Mainly I'm just curious.

K&S makes exact reproduction turn signals for our bikes and they're reasonably priced. If you decide to stick with stock turn signals, why waste crazy money on NOS (if you can find them) when you can get nice new ones? I get them at dealer cost and can get you a good price on them if you decide to take that route.

Tom

The stock signal housings can also be refurbished with some elbow grease. The black color is solid so any scuffs and even gouges can be filed smooth, and then progressive grades of sandpaper to smooth the finish, right down to 1500-grit wet/dry, then buffing with paint compound & polish will bring them back. I also mount them with new K&S repop stems, as short as I can fit, like 3/4-inch. This tucks them in nicely and they look much more proportional.

Another route I take is a fender eliminator (license plate bracket) with built-in mounting tabs for aftermarket (or OEM) signals. I'm not sure about the first-gen, but these work well on second-gen (photo). I get these on eBay from seller customizedbikeparts.

V4Dreams.com

[image: post-18864-0-05573900-1457285577.jpg]

[image: post-18864-0-94305700-1457285586.jpg]

Edited March 6, 2016 by BluRoad

tomk1960

K&S makes exact reproduction turn signals for our bikes and they're reasonably priced. If you decide to stick with stock turn signals, why waste crazy money on NOS (if you can find them) when you can get nice new ones? I get them at dealer cost and can get you a good price on them if you decide to take that route.

Tom

Thanks Tom, I will check them out. For some reason, I had not seen that web site.

BluRoad

The stock signal housings can also be refurbished with some elbow grease. The black color is solid so any scuffs and even gouges can be filed smooth, and then progressive grades of sandpaper to smooth the finish, right down to 1500-grit wet/dry, then buffing with paint compound & polish will bring them back. I also mount them with new K&S repop stems, as short as I can fit, like 3/4-inch. This tucks them in nicely and they look much more proportional.

Another route I take is a fender eliminator (license plate bracket) with built-in mounting tabs for aftermarket (or OEM) signals. I'm not sure about the first-gen, but these work well on second-gen (photo). I get these on eBay from seller customizedbikeparts.

V4Dreams.com

Thanks Blu, I like the idea of tucking them in close. I will check it out as well.

The VF750 and 1000 interceptors all have the same problem: Sagging turn signal stems.. However, the vf500 doesn't have that issue..

On all my ceptors I'm now using the vF500 front stems which are halve size in length..

The turn signals on the CB1100F use similar rubber stems that eventually dry out, sag, rot, and then break. Repro rubber stems are available, and they're also available for at least some of the Interceptors. I'll have to do some more research, but it's likely that the same stems were used for multiple models. Here's something worth considering:

I worked with a CNC machinist to come up with a solid aluminum, shortened stock for the CB1100F. Here's what it looks like:

[image: 20150628_173456_zps64rsrczj.jpg]

Yes, these are MUCH shorter than the original stalks. When mounted, approx. 1 7/8" of the front OEM stalks show. These new ones only show 3/8" when installed. Mounted with the turn signal, it's barely noticable.

[image: 20150628_184826_zps90kmxifr.jpg]

[image: 20150628_173550_zpskt512qa8.jpg]

Instead of a threaded stud for mounting onto the rear turn signal/brake light bracket, a short 10mm bolt is used.

[image: 20150628_184903_zps5udqlz2j.jpg]

[image: 20150628_173530_zpsgxnx7zzt.jpg]

I like they way they look here, but the real test was on an actual bike. Here they are mounted on my 1100F:

[image: 20150719_144843_zps6okdvuey.jpg]

[image: 20150719_144807_zpspd8esea8.jpg]

These have turned out to be quite popular and I think that the 1100F guys are slowly starting to switch over to them without a second thought. What I like most about these, besides the fact that they won't ever rot or sag, is that they pull the stock turn signals in much closer to the bike giving it cleaner lines.

If there are several models that a similar stem could be used on and there was enough interest, I could have a shortened version designed and made pretty quickly. I have a couple of stock stems kicking around so my CNC guy can get all the measurements for prototyping.

I'd powder coat them satin black like these unless someone specified a different shade or color. And assuming that manufacturing cost is in the same range, they'd be in the $85 - $100 price range for a set of 4 shipped.

Opinions? Any interest?