So confused! Really need help installing new turn signals...

I warn you, some really noob questoins... So I'm trying to install some new LED turn signals on my bike, read every forum post on the subject I could find and think I understand all the theory behind it, just really confused about a few things:

-My turn signals have a 10mm threaded stud to mount them on, how does this attach to my bike? I took my front turn signals off, but it isn't threaded in there. What should I do?

-I accidentally pulled the wire that would attach the front turn signals to the electrical on the bike on the left side of the front fork, any suggestions on getting it back in?

-How do you I get the rubber (old turn signal stem) off the back turn signals, or do I just screw the new turn signals into the rubber?

-I have the electronic flasher (two pins) where is the old one I replace? Which wire where?

-the new turn signals have bullet like connectors on them, whats the proper way to connect to these? I was going to just solder the power from the bike in there but realize that is probably not the right way to do it...


Sorry for the hassle, just really confused here... Any help or photos would be really really appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

Re: So confused! Really need help installing new turn signal

OK Tomandjerry now take a deep breath we can help,

1-mounting front turn signals
I took one of the mounting nuts that came with mine and pressed it into the end of the mounting bracket.
Thread the nut on a bolt and pound it in carfully with a hammer until it hits the indent on the mounting stem
DO NOT pound it home you must keep checking with your new turn signal until the nut is at the right depth so when you tighten it down your turn signal is facing forwards and not backwards
2- You should be able to fish the wire back in or you can take the mounting bracket off, two bolts and one small srew on the bottom will do it
then reconnect the wires
3- The flasher unit is mounted above the valve cover just under and behind the coils. If you look under the tank you should be able to see it its the one on the front of the bracket I think the one on the rear is the auto cancel box but I'm not positive.
Hope this helps have to get back to work
James

 

(Look in the Archives for a DYI Device a Member fabricated to eliminate this problem.)

You still need to add a "Dummy-Load" to the Circuit.
The LED's don't draw enough current to trigger the Self Canceling Module.
The Turn Signal will need to be Manually Canceled which can be distracting.

Look through the Archives and find the Module one of our Members invented that addresses the nearly No-Amp draw those LED's produce.

With some easily obtained electronics and a dab of solder or two, ... you can Fabricate a Flasher with a 'Dummy-Load' to allow the LED's to Signal and the Self Canceling Module to shut them off.

 

Re: So confused! Really need help installing new turn signal

Thanks for the help guys!

Still a little confused about the front turn signals. I have the nut for the turn signals, but it is too big to try to pound into to the stem for the front turn signals. Is this what you mean or am I mis-interpreting? Thanks!

 

The same way the turn signals come off is the same way the new ones go back on. I installed aftermarket turns on my xj, just like the ones you are trying to install. It was very easy, just pay attention to how the old ones come off. In some cases you may need a washer or two, because the stem on the new turns is longer. The hardware that came off of you old turns should interchange with the new ones. Just keep in mind that the black(I believe) is your ground or neutral wire. On the back turns you have two different colors for the hot but the black is always the neutral.

 

Re: So confused! Really need help installing new turn signal

I hear your pain brother. I ended changing my headlight bracket out and mounted my new turn signals to the new bracket and also cut through the old bracket for the bottom mount to ensure my headlight didn't move up/down while riding.

As for the wiring, I soldered all my connections because the signals were not functioning otherwise.

If your instrument cluster has one turn signal indicator, then you will have to do some re-wiring in there to ensure the signal from one side (left or right) to the other while engaged.

All the best, and you're at the right place - this site is amazing for advice and help!

 

Hi Rick,

The flasher I made does not require a dummy load. There was another member who came up with a very similar design that also doesn't require a dummy load. It's only if you're using the stock flasher, or some other non-electronic flasher, that the load resistors are needed.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14068.html

By the way, I later switched my setup over to the flasher from superbrightleds.com (still with the same circuit, just a different two-pin electronic flasher), which now gives me a much more consistent flash rate regardless of temperature.

Cheers,
Paul