Author Topic: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?  (Read 1582 times)

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Offline Freebirdbeachbum

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Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« on: May 18, 2021, 09:14:13 AM »
They are marked “Made in Japan” and look to be old but not common from my observations of other CB750s.

Could they be original to this bike? I see an assembly from a ‘71 for sale on eBay with red lenses and new red lenses sold as aftermarket replacements. If they didn’t come stock from Honda, I’m not inclined to keep them.
1972 Honda CB 750
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1968 Wards Riverside Benelli 125
2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT
2021 Lance Havana Classic 125
1965 Moto Guzzi Lodola Gran Turismo

Offline Alan F.

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2021, 09:17:47 AM »
Could be wired in with a relay to use turn signals as brake lights.

Offline Freebirdbeachbum

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2021, 09:21:27 AM »
Could be wired in with a relay to use turn signals as brake lights.
Not a bad idea, especially on a MC.
1972 Honda CB 750
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1968 Wards Riverside Benelli 125
2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT
2021 Lance Havana Classic 125
1965 Moto Guzzi Lodola Gran Turismo

Offline bryanj

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2021, 09:42:05 AM »
Some countries required red indicators, not sure but i think Germany was one
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2021, 09:57:44 AM »
I have them. I've replaced the rear lenses by red and the front blinkers by clear lenses when I had found out that for my year they are legal. But I'm no fool, amber is better noticed, so for safety I have fitted bulbs in them that flash amber.
It is personal, but I've always hated anything amber on bikes. IMO it makes a bike look cheap, like some toy. As soon as I'll have received the original crossheads*, even the amber side reflectors will have to go. For the purists, my bike will still be original. Some Honda's had the red and clear lenses in some markets and - guess what I recently discovered on p.45 in the 1976 CB500K2 [ED, F, G] parts list - my model for France did not have the side reflectors, but simple crossheads instead. Hurray!
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« Last Edit: May 18, 2021, 10:07:08 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2021, 10:10:10 AM »
The Germans had smaller blinkers and a - IMO - very ugly brake/taillight.
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Offline david 750f

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2021, 10:12:45 AM »
Interesting article from NTSB article from 2009. Red turn signals have a 5.3% higher rear end accident rate than amber. That’s higher than adding the third brake light.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811115

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Offline beemerbum

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2021, 10:19:56 AM »
They are marked “Made in Japan” and look to be old but not common from my observations of other CB750s.

Could they be original to this bike? I see an assembly from a ‘71 for sale on eBay with red lenses and new red lenses sold as aftermarket replacements. If they didn’t come stock from Honda, I’m not inclined to keep them.
Welcome to the red turn signal club. My 1971 K1 purportedly came from Canada. I'm told that red signals in back were de reguer(sp) in Canada

Offline Freebirdbeachbum

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2021, 12:15:48 PM »
Interesting article from NTSB article from 2009. Red turn signals have a 5.3% higher rear end accident rate than amber. That’s higher than adding the third brake light.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811115
That is interesting and a significant data point for consideration. Thanks.
1972 Honda CB 750
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1968 Wards Riverside Benelli 125
2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT
2021 Lance Havana Classic 125
1965 Moto Guzzi Lodola Gran Turismo

Offline Deltarider

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2021, 12:39:22 PM »
Interesting article from NTSB article from 2009. Red turn signals have a 5.3% higher rear end accident rate than amber. That’s higher than adding the third brake light.
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811115
There's no doubt in my mind that is true. I remember american cars back then, which used one and the same bulb for turn- and brakelight. So if such a car in front of you approached a crossing and braked, the rear would show two red lights, but as soon as the driver brought the indicator on, one of these, till then brake lights, would start blinking. Very confusing, even more when the driver would release the brakes and then braked again. I wonder how many accidents have been caused by that strange wiring design.
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2021, 12:56:00 PM »
I do remember bikes in downtown Toronto, with the red turn signals. At that time, my Austin Healey had red at the back and clear lenses at the front too (turn signals were separate Lucas “bullets”). I have a few new sets of red lenses that came with other stuff, years ago. Out of curiosity I’ll unwrap them and see if they are “Stanley” or something else.

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2021, 11:24:20 AM »
Dug them out and I have three. One is definitely new, marked: STANLEY 6-0345 Made in Japan. The other two are a slightly lighter shade of red and marked: SHA-KE-DA Made in Taiwan. Physically identical in every respect.

Not sure what it all means, but there you go. More trivia.

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« Last Edit: May 19, 2021, 05:43:44 PM by BenelliSEI »

Offline Deltarider

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2021, 10:47:26 PM »
Thanks for the offer, but no, as it would result in two in the rear that differ in color (I have the imitations). Thanks again.
As far as economy concerning bulbs, I cannot resist showing two pics of the champion in this field: the 2CV Fourgonette 1961.
The rear features one brake light and the license plate is illuminated by just one lamp in the middle which saved Citroën another bulb. Indicators? Again: just one on each side towards the rear where it can be noticed oncoming, from the side and from behind. Genial! Citroën's saving on lamps - the prototype had just one headlight - is just one the many fantastic features that made this such a wonderful car.
The BBC dedicated a hilarious special to this true automotive icon. The first 37 seconds there's no sound. Do not miss the funny advertisement at 12:45! 
« Last Edit: May 20, 2021, 08:05:03 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Freebirdbeachbum

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2021, 01:22:55 PM »
They are marked “Made in Japan” and look to be old but not common from my observations of other CB750s.

Could they be original to this bike? I see an assembly from a ‘71 for sale on eBay with red lenses and new red lenses sold as aftermarket replacements. If they didn’t come stock from Honda, I’m not inclined to keep them.
Welcome to the red turn signal club. My 1971 K1 purportedly came from Canada. I'm told that red signals in back were de reguer(sp) in Canada
Sorry to inform you I'm quitting the red turn signal club. After much anxiety and hand-wringing, I've decided to go with the amber. Canadians are weird. 
1972 Honda CB 750
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1968 Wards Riverside Benelli 125
2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT
2021 Lance Havana Classic 125
1965 Moto Guzzi Lodola Gran Turismo

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2021, 01:58:09 PM »
Thanks for the offer, but no, as it would result in two in the rear that differ in color (I have the imitations). Thanks again.
As far as economy concerning bulbs, I cannot resist showing two pics of the champion in this field: the 2CV Fourgonette 1961.
The rear features one brake light and the license plate is illuminated by just one lamp in the middle which saved Citroën another bulb. Indicators? Again: just one on each side towards the rear where it can be noticed oncoming, from the side and from behind. Genial! Citroën's saving on lamps - the prototype had just one headlight - is just one the many fantastic features that made this such a wonderful car.
The BBC dedicated a hilarious special to this true automotive icon. The first 37 seconds there's no sound. Do not miss the funny advertisement at 12:45! 

Delta..... my Dad drove a 2CV for a few years (until a door fell off). It was actually great fun and probably the first “motorcycle engine” I worked on. He and I could pull the motor out in about 40 minutes. My favourite lamp feature was the Hi-Lo beam. Using a crank on the dash board, you turned it clockwise to tilt the lamp bar back and the reverse dropped the beams. Actually very clever! That and the seats that quickly unclamped from the floor to become garden furniture (which they resembled). His early version had seats with a crisscross belt weave on a tube frame.

Offline Prospect

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #15 on: May 25, 2021, 02:49:00 PM »
Turn signals became obligatory on motorcycles in Canada in March 1971. Here, you're allowed to ride motorcycles without turn signals if manufactured before that date. I don't think a single cop here in Toronto knows that.
They are marked “Made in Japan” and look to be old but not common from my observations of other CB750s.

Could they be original to this bike? I see an assembly from a ‘71 for sale on eBay with red lenses and new red lenses sold as aftermarket replacements. If they didn’t come stock from Honda, I’m not inclined to keep them.
Welcome to the red turn signal club. My 1971 K1 purportedly came from Canada. I'm told that red signals in back were de reguer(sp) in Canada
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #16 on: May 25, 2021, 05:21:08 PM »
Turn signals became obligatory on motorcycles in Canada in March 1971. Here, you're allowed to ride motorcycles without turn signals if manufactured before that date. I don't think a single cop here in Toronto knows that.
They are marked “Made in Japan” and look to be old but not common from my observations of other CB750s.

Could they be original to this bike? I see an assembly from a ‘71 for sale on eBay with red lenses and new red lenses sold as aftermarket replacements. If they didn’t come stock from Honda, I’m not inclined to keep them.
Welcome to the red turn signal club. My 1971 K1 purportedly came from Canada. I'm told that red signals in back were de reguer(sp) in Canada



I used to get stopped on my 1970 Triumph T100S (500cc twin, single carb), in the late ‘90s. Only got one ticket, it was for $12 and I got off it by visiting my local station with an explanation. Those were different times!

Offline Mr. Mike

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #17 on: May 25, 2021, 07:09:42 PM »
I got a bit crazy with this idea. I Craig!isted a set of front blinkers from a 77/78 but put them on the rear. Wired ‘em in to behave as running lights and blinkers, same as the front. I even kept the amber lenses although illegal I know. I’ll do my best to explain when I get pulled over for them. The whole point was visibility from behind. In a sea of red, I wanted to pop out to the driver behind me. Not sure I could even find red to fit the 78 CB turn signal body.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #18 on: May 26, 2021, 03:51:05 AM »
Delta..... my Dad drove a 2CV for a few years (until a door fell off). It was actually great fun and probably the first “motorcycle engine” I worked on. He and I could pull the motor out in about 40 minutes. My favourite lamp feature was the Hi-Lo beam. Using a crank on the dash board, you turned it clockwise to tilt the lamp bar back and the reverse dropped the beams. Actually very clever! That and the seats that quickly unclamped from the floor to become garden furniture (which they resembled). His early version had seats with a crisscross belt weave on a tube frame.
The seats that had the elastic belts, were the very best! You had them out in a jiffy and they proved very comfy for a picknick or a day fishing. My brother owned a grey one like in the pic, be it a later version. His had no longer the suicide doors and 435 instead of 424cc, which put out a mighty 24 instead of 12hp. BTW, Honda borrowed its wasted spark coil. The car was great fun. On the highway we used the slipstream of trucks to boost the top speed. On its own it could do 100 km/h which, even today, is sufficient. My favourite Citroën will always be the HY van however. Another genial design, far ahead of its time with its front wheel drive. A design, so functional that it proved useful for four decades with only minor modifications like 12V instead 6V. In every French film you will see them in the streets. Very recognisable: a Junkers without wings. Sadly I own only the one on my T-shirt.   
« Last Edit: May 27, 2021, 01:45:09 PM by Deltarider »
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Offline Quattrocilindri

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Re: Red Rear Turn Signal Lenses?
« Reply #19 on: May 27, 2021, 04:36:43 AM »
This is my favorite pet peeve, whether bikes or cars are concerned. I simply refuse to ride or drive a bike or car with red amber turn signals. If I buy such a vehicle, I promptly modify it or retrofit to amber rear signals, as I have done once on a Chrysler minivan I once owned.

The British folks on this forum are probably aware that, in the UK, in order to pass the MOT inspection, no red signal lights are allowed, only amber. The worst possible iteration of that is in American vehicles that have the idiotic combination rear red brake light/turn signal arrangement. Once that bulb blows, you loose both the brake and turn signal at the same time. Sadly, this design is also on the latest models of US Harley Davidson Sportsters, to keep up with side lights fashion.
American military members bringing their US-spec cars to the UK that have red rear turn signals have to be modified to amber to comply with the MOT. My daughter's Honda Civic still has that mod after returning from the UK.

A red turn signal flashing light could easily be confused with either the driver pumping the brakes or brake lights working intermittently. As a side note, if you drive by any road construction at night, you'll notice that the flashing lamps are always amber, not red, by DOT requirements.

The amber turn signals design is virtually the standard for world wide vehicles.