Topic: turn signals blink to fast

[dhall57]

Turn signals on my 76 750 work great when bike is parked and bike is at idle. But when riding and turning they blink so fast its hard to tell the pause between the blinks. As anyone else had the problem with there 750's. Would new relay or flasher solve this? thanks

[mystic_1]

The flash rate on the standard flasher is determined by the total current draw of the bulbs that are flashing.  Have you switched to lower wattage bulbs?  If so, you can replace your flasher with one rated for low-draw turn signals (ie LED), or use a "load balancer" which is really just a large resister that sucks up power to simulate the load of incandescent bulbs.

mystic_1

[KB02]

Or it could be a bad relay.

My wife's bike had the opposite problem, you could barely see the flash. I just replaced the relay and all was well.

These old bikes use a Bi-Metal style flasher relay. Basically there are two pieces of metal with different heat signatures. When power goes through them they heat up and warp, but are different rates. As soon as one bends away from the other the current is broken, light goes off, both pieces cool and bend back to their original places where they meet and the process starts all over again. This leads to simple wear after some time. Since you seem to be having this issue when the bike's power system is putting out greater amounts of power (generator puts out more energy at higher RMP's) it sounds like this is the start of the relay breaking down.

Try a new relay and let us know how it goes.

[dhall57]

Mystic 1 & KBO2 thanks for the info!!! That's what is so great about this forum. Just alot of nice people. KBO2 I like your K8, and your got a good deal on it ** FREE **

[Johnie]

My K4 are just the opposite. They blink fine when driving, but hardly blink at a stop light. Guess I better see what bulbs the PO has in there.

[Bluegreen]

Here is a DOT approved flasher unit.
http://www.bikerhiway.com/universal-turn-signal-flasher-relay-p-294.html

[Gordon]

My K4 are just the opposite. They blink fine when driving, but hardly blink at a stop light. Guess I better see what bulbs the PO has in there.

That sounds more like a low voltage/old flasher unit/old wiring connection issue than a bulb issue. 

[Gordon]

Here is a DOT approved flasher unit.
http://www.bikerhiway.com/universal-turn-signal-flasher-relay-p-294.html

You can get them for about 8 bucks at most auto parts stores. 

[MötleyRöx]

My K4 are just the opposite. They blink fine when driving, but hardly blink at a stop light. Guess I better see what bulbs the PO has in there.

Usually indicative of your battery being low or not holding a charge.

[Johnie]

My K4 are just the opposite. They blink fine when driving, but hardly blink at a stop light. Guess I better see what bulbs the PO has in there.

Usually indicative of your battery being low or not holding a charge.

Both good ideas. I am not sure how old this battery is as the PO passed away. It is a low cost Gel Cell so I think I will replace it next year and see how it goes then.