Aftermarket signal lights question

hi all,
i'm trying to fit aftermarket signal lights to my bike. i've been successful in getting the lights (front and back) to come on using the left/right signal switch but no flashing occurs.
the lights have 3 wires (to offer full-time running lights), the bike's original wiring only offered 2 wires for the signals. i've swapped the wires around in different configurations to find a difference but so far, they light up but not flash.
as wiring is my kryptonite, i'm proud of what i've accomplished so far but i'm hit a wall on this one....
any advice or comments are welcome.

 

Lighting up but not flashing, if you're still using the stock flasher, is usually an indication that your aftermarket bulbs aren't drawing enough current. The stock bulbs are 27W; quite often aftermarket signals come with lower wattage bulbs.

 

The two vs three wire doesn't matter much. Just try and check that you are wiring into the larger filiment of the bulb to get the most out of your lights.
If you are running the lower wattage bulbs (which you likely are) you will need to change the flasher relay. You can get an aftermarket electronic flasher relay at an auto parts store for around $10. I believe it is an hl-13 flasher. You will need to swap around the connectors for the new flasher I believe though. I can't remember which one goes where though as I just played with the pins it until they flashed.

You may be able to confirm this issue if your bike is the same as mine in that the signals will flash at above 1500RPM

Cheers
Dave

 

ok, SUPERB ADVICE BOYS!
am using standard 2 filament bulbs. i now have the brightest option lit, started the bike and revved above 1500 and the lights flash!
i'm going to pick up a new flasher but am not having luck getting the hl-13 unit come up when googled.
would you be willing to help a fellow maxim owner out today for a burger on thursday by checking that number again or can i pick any 4 pin unit?
thanks.

 

EDIT-I hate it when I type the wrong part number :evil:
The part number you need is 552

I used aEDIT flasher relay from Advance Auto, $5.99.
You need a standard two pin flasher relay.

I don't remember the colors of the wires, and my 5 year old daughter "borrowed" my manual, but all you have to do is look at the wire harness that you take the relay out of.

The pins need to go into the slots with the same color wires. It will have two wires the same color, and the third wire will be a different color for the self-cancel wire.

Just plug-n-play and use zip-ties to tie the relay to the frame where the rubber mount for the stock relay hooks on to.

OR

If it has regular bulbs, i.e. not the tiny little G4 bases that mine have, then you should be able to buy 27w bulbs to replace what came in them.

This option allows you to keep the self-cancel feature.

 

See this thread

It is an EL13 but you lose the self cancel unit unless you want to wire and SPDT relay in too.

Cheers
Dave

 

success! with all your advice, i was able to replace the flashing unit with the advance auto parts unit and now have flashing lights.
thanks to all who took the time to chime in, i VERy much appreciate it!