turn signal switch

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twist
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:09 pm

turn signal switch

Post by twist »

hey, everyone. I'm having some issues with my turn signals after going back to stock headlight. The bike is a '77 R100/7. Everything is working perfectly but the turn signals. The right side works but only if I get the switch in just the right place. The left doesn't work at all. I've followed the schematic and traced all my wires, checked for bare wires and proper ground. The switch is my next concern. Can the stock signal switches on these old bikes be rebuilt? How does one go about cleaning them? I took it apart, didn't see anything that looked like connectors, everything is soldered, no lose wires. What else should I be checking? All was working fine before I switched over to the stock head light.
Mal S7
Posts: 661
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 5:26 am

Re: turn signal switch

Post by Mal S7 »

Hi twist,

You think its a problem with the switch but you aren't quite sure? You need to be 100% sure.
Isolate and test the switch on it's own, separate from the bike's wiring, to determine if that's the problem. Use a multi-meter or a simple test lamp. I am no electrickery technician, I just figure that current flows in and current flows out .... somewhere or other. You may just have a broken wire. Play with it and work out how its supposed to work. As a last resort I look at the wiring diagram.

I don't know if they can be rebuilt. I can have a look at mine for ya but probably won't get a chance until next weekend.

good luck

cheers
Mal
R100/7
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twist
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:09 pm

Re: turn signal switch

Post by twist »

the multimeter is a good idea. I should have done that. I've searched for broken wires and good grounds, traced everything to be sure everything is connected right.
bluesman
Posts: 85
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:54 pm

Re: turn signal switch

Post by bluesman »

Check your flasher, mine was acting that way. I replaced mine with a generic one from NAPA. Someone here on the forum has the number.
montmil
Posts: 155
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:41 am
Location: Denton, Texas

Re: turn signal switch

Post by montmil »

Good call on testing the continuity of the turn sig switch.

If you do decided to disassemble the switch and look inside, first place the switch assembly inside a large zip-lok bag prior to opening it up. Little bitty spring, tiny ball bearing and other assorted WTF was that bits will be prevented from vanishing into some weird parallel universe never to be seen again.
1981 R65
1983 R65
1978 R100S
1995 Triumph Trophy
User avatar
twist
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:09 pm

Re: turn signal switch

Post by twist »

montmil wrote:Good call on testing the continuity of the turn sig switch.

If you do decided to disassemble the switch and look inside, first place the switch assembly inside a large zip-lok bag prior to opening it up. Little bitty spring, tiny ball bearing and other assorted WTF was that bits will be prevented from vanishing into some weird parallel universe never to be seen again.
yes! I did that once with my old left hand switch. That little spring and ball bearing went to places unknown. I have a spare turn signal flasher so I can replace the one in there now with the spare.

On the positive side, I took the bike out for a little test drive and everything else is working fine after the installation of the fairing to frame brace modified from an rt brace. The bike handles so much better without that HUGE pichler fairing!
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dougie
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Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 6:19 pm
Location: Burlington Ontario, Canada

Re: turn signal switch

Post by dougie »

twist wrote:The bike handles so much better without that HUGE pichler fairing!
I noticed that as well changing my RS fairing for the S fairing.
I've spent most of my money on women, motorcycles, and beer.
The rest of it I just wasted.
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twist
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:09 pm

Re: turn signal switch

Post by twist »

I just have to get used to the wind now. 80mph is quite a bit different without the Pichler fairing. The trade off is better handling and looks. Also, a lot quieter without the turbulence coming over the wind screen. My neck muscles are sore!
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