Topic: CB550F turn signal normal operation

[Ace Blackwell]

All,

Quick question.  I've wired in new (aftermarket) turn signals.  I have single filament and single blk wire for rear and double filament with red and blk wires on front.   

FRONT:
With the turn signal switch in the middle, the front taller filament glows on LH and RH.  with the switch thrown to one side or other, to shorter filament (for that side) comes on brighter and the taller lower light one goes off.  The opposite side remains unchanged.  Even with bike running the flashers won't work.  I'm guessing that is the flasher relay messed up.   

REAR:
With switch in the middle, I don't have either light.  With the switch thrown to one side, that side the single filament glows bright.   

I'm thinking this is normal, outside of not blinking.  but I found it odd the rear signals stayed off unless turning.  It's being years since the turn signals were operative so I don't remember how they worked.

On a side note, when I first got the bike, it had red lenses on the back.  Is that the norm for these bikes or did previous owner put them on?  Just curious. 

Thanks

[Alaxy Galaxy]

What you're seeing is normal, except for not flashing. As far as red lenses go, it's not oem to Canada or the USA, but it would be legal here in Canada.

[Ace Blackwell]

Thanks Alaxy,   I thought it was the norm but wanted to be sure. 

[bryanj]

Front running lights yes rear no

[Bodi]

Red rear is ok in US and Canada as said but amber was stock. I think amber is better, more visible at night.
Try just unplugging the flasher unit. If the signals still come on there is a wiring mistake. If they stay off that way but come on with flasher connected... get a new flasher. Note that the oem flasher - and most 2 terminal replacements - will not flash with LED signals.

[Ace Blackwell]

Thanks All,

Bodi, where were you at before I spent a whopping $9 on a flasher relay lol.  Seriously, that's good info.  If I had gotten the new relay installed and nothing changed, I'd been at a loss.  I think I'll try the relay test before the new one gets here.

[Bodi]

The flasher circuit puts power (black wire) on the flasher all the time. The grey wire comes from the flasher: put a load on it and it may flash depending on the load current. The stock ones (and many two terminal replacements) work via a small heater - it heats up with load current and opens the circuit when hot enough... no current then and it cools off until it comes on again, repeats as long as there's a load.
Electronic 2 terminal ones have a timing circuit but are still dependent on having a load: they charge a capacitor when flashing off to power the circuit during the "lamps on" time when there's no power available for that (zero volts across the flasher). Thus they always "start" with lamps off when load is connected then flash on-off-on etc. I don't like the (half second?) delay before signals come on when I switch them on. Three terminal flashers have a ground to power the circuit from the black and usually start on then flash off-on-off etc. Note there are several types of 3 terminal flashers and not all are usable - the others will probably just blow the main fuse first time you turn the key on. Most flashers have DIN wiring numbers on the terminals, look them up and make sure they are power/input, ground, and output - not power/input, output 1, and output 2...