Flasher fixes

Hey people,
Took my flasher apart since it stopped working. I found that the resistor where power comes in to the unit had come unsoldered where it meets the winding post. Went to move the end back in place and the resistor snapped in half. Anyone out there know what the value of that resistor is? No stripes or other way to determine the ohm value.

The rubber holder failed and allowed the flasher to hang too close to the motor so not sure if that contributed to the failure or not. I've already modded the holder to hold the flasher, so hopefully I can fix the unit and reinstall.

I am running incandescent bulbs that are 10W12V obviously Chinese and no id number on the bulbs. No led bulbs on my bike at all. 1981 XJ 550H with the clutch defeat disconnected. My turn signals are not combo running lights and haven't been since I got the bike.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

My stock XJ550 turn signals won't flash properly if I have less than 27w bulbs in each turn signal.

 

anymore it would be easier to get a whole new flasher than a resistor

 

Hey thanks for the replies...however once I looked at the wiring diagram I realized that this was the headlight, tail light, meter light relay.
So I just installed a jumper from the red/yellow to the blue/black as it said and now the headlight is on whenever the key is in the on position.
This is great because my f#@$ing key pulls out of the switch in any position, now I will know if I haven't turned the key off and just pulled the key out. Yay!

So next I pulled the actual flasher relay out, took off the cover and it is still good. It had been intermittently since I got the bike. Originally with some tiny a@# led turn signals that I bagged immediately, and went to the Cycle Gear short stalk signals. With the CG signals I had to be above 2500-3000 rpm to maintain flashing, and horn working. I recently picked up these signals from ebay.
2x Amber Chrome Bullet Front Rear Turn Signal Blinker Indicator Light Motorcycle
60 DAYS RETURN AND OEM Quality USA

I wanted to have all my lights be round, so running something this with a ground wire added as my tail/brake/plate light in vertical setup.

Grote - Stop/Tail/Turn Lamp
Line: GRO | Part # 50872

Now I am wondering if I can install this relay from O'Reillys for my turn signals, and install the factory turn signal relay for the headlight relay.

Novita Technologies - Hazard Warning/Turn Signal Flasher
Line: NOV | Part # LL552

Any ideas? Maybe I need to go find a different bulb for the signals?
Thanks in advance!

 

I need to slow down a bit...
The other relay I found was the starter relay, unplugged ... can't start. Replaced...can start and run.

I can see the self canceller relay under there, but not the turn signal flasher.

Do I have to remove the tank to access it?
When/if I do, can I install this?

Novita Technologies - Hazard Warning/Turn Signal Flasher
Line: NOV | Part # LL552

If I can, how do I do that?

Thanks again!

 

The turn signal resistor is 150 ohm, 1 watt, in case anyone ever needs to know.

The turn signal relay is under the tank, between the frame rails, just to the left of the self canceling unit.

The tank comes off in the following manner:

Remove the side covers.
Flip up the seat.
Remove the fuel line and vacuum line from the petcock.
At the rear of the tank, below the seat, is a bolt. Remove it.
Holdng the tank by both the front and the rear, lift the rear of the tank up to clear the rear mount, and pull back to release the front of the tank from the mounting bumpers.

Unplug the self canceling unit before assuming that the flasher relay is at fault.
The flasher relay is serviceable. Pop the cover off and clean the contatcts before deciding to replace it.

If you do replace it you can retain the self canceling feature thusly.

 

Thanks k-moe,
It is a bit easier on my bike since my frame is cut off just behind the shocks.
Just gotta lift the seat off and remove the bolt and fuel lines.
Too bad the damn petcock doesn't have an off position, seeing as I just filled the tank.
I am pretty sure that the flasher unit is good, it worked at high rpm until I switched out the turn signals that had 20 watt bulbs to the ones with 10 watt bulbs in them.

I have the novita LL552 automotive flasher relay sitting on my toolbox, and just think I want to install that.
I don't give a shit about the self cancelling feature as it has never worked, and I hate when I ride with people (especially my wife) that dont turn off their blinkers.
Hard to believe my 81 maxim had self cancelling signals and her 2016 Bolt doesn't. Another reason why older is better in my mind.

Is that change straight forward or is there other things to address?
I've seen your other posts and feel like your judgement is solid so lay it on me.

Thanks!

 

It does have an off position. The petcock is vacuum operated. Fuel won't flow without the engine running, unless you set it to prime.

If your self-cancel has never worked, then you probably just need to unplug it (jam dielectric grease into the harness plug and tape it up so you don't have corrosion-creep mess things up later).

Your signal bulbs should be 27 watts (though some people report that 24 watt bulbs will work)

Triton EL12 flasher or any no-load flasher with the same pinout will work.
The Novita you have operates in the same way as the stock flasher (thermal; requires a load) and may not work with 20 watt bulbs, but since you have it you could try it and see.

 

Hey k-moe, i'm ready to tackle some turn signal issues. and remember seeing this tread about needing a higher watt bulb for the flasher relay to work properly. i think that is the problem i am having. i have aftermarket signals with low wattage,and only 2 wire for front. i double checked with stock signals and all works fine with them. My question is... if i cant find 27 watt bulbs in the size i need, then what are my options ? Not sure i want to start over with re-wireing a new relay into the harness.

 

27 watt bulbs were the standard for a long time and are still being made in the size you need. You may have to order through Amazon or some other retailer if nobody stocks them locally (which I can't imagine. I live pretty well at the corner of nowhere and BFE and can get them).

Options:

2 pin Electronic no-load flasher; eliminates the auto-cancel function, but works.

Load resistors (2, one per side) to bring up the total wattage per side to 54 watts. Get ones with integrated heatseanks and make sure to put them away from combustibles.

24 watt bulbs. Some people have had those work too.