Topic: turn signal problems

[the technological J]

how can i figure out if my blinker is bad or my bulbs arent bright enough to kick it over...
 i have 2 bikes that i am having the same problem with...they are the 78 750 and the 78 550 both have "new" turn signals to them but one was off my bike from last year and they worked on it now and i think all 4 bulbs are 1157's on the 550 and the 750 has 1157 on the rear and something like what is in the instrument cluster on the front.... both light up when the turn signal is clicked on but do not blink.....

[BobbyR]

Make sure you have a proper ground. This is the most common problem when they will not blink. Second most common is a bad flasher. Low voltage will cause that problem also.

[rynanza]

I have the same issue on my 78 750.

[BobbyR]

Check your grounds, even if that is not the problem they are probably crappy anyway by now.

[333]

The rear ones should NOT be 1157s.  They should be single filament bulbs.

[the technological J]

The rear ones should NOT be 1157s.  They should be single filament bulbs.

they are single filament i must have been mistaken....will the flasher still turn the light on if its not working? i was under the impression that the light wouldnt turn on?

[333]

The flasher relies on a current load to heat up and flash.  If it no longer heats up, it may not flash, but will still allow the lights to light.

But there are other things that will make this happen.  Low battery for one.  Our vintage of bikes are notorious for not having enough current to run everything if, say you upgrade to a 55/60 Halogen headlight.  Or, as the bike gets older, corrosion appears and less electricity gets to where it needs to be.