Go Back   Two Wheel Fix > In the Garage or Shop > Mechanical or Tech

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-05-2009, 11:13 AM   #1
Triple
uncomfortably numb
 
Triple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: JOH-JAH!
Moto: WR250R & Bonneville
Posts: 409
Default Fast blinking blinkers.

...

Last edited by Triple; 10-22-2009 at 03:19 PM..
Triple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:17 AM   #2
Mikey
Raving Lunatic
 
Mikey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Moto: Concours 14 ABS, ZX6E
Posts: 902
Default

You usually see this when someone swaps out their stockers for LEDs. The LEDs have a much lower resistance rating than the standard bulbs, which is what causes the fast blinking. Figure out what the difference in resistance is and wire in a resistor inline and they will blink at the correct speed.
__________________
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Mikey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:19 AM   #3
fasternyou929
SFL Expatriate #2
 
fasternyou929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
Moto: CBR1000
Posts: 2,043
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple View Post
What causes this and how do you fix it?
Incorrect load on the "blinker" relay. You can usually add a resistor to the positive lead running to your turn signal to correct it. Did you recently change to LED turn signals or something else after market? Google turn signal and resistor and I'm sure you'll get some good values to start with. Resistors can be bought for a few cents at Radio Shack.

ETA: Dammit, Mikey apparently types much faster than me.
fasternyou929 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:19 AM   #4
pauldun170
Serious Business
 
pauldun170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York
Moto: 1993 ZX-11 2008 CBR1000rr
Posts: 9,723
Default

In the car, it usually means a bulb is out.
__________________


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave View Post
feed your dogs root beer it will make them grow large and then you can ride them and pet the motorcycle while drinking root beer
pauldun170 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:19 AM   #5
Rider
Moto GP Star
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,156
Default

LED blinkers have less resistance than the regular bulbs. You need to add a 5 ohm 100w resister in series for each blinker to slow down the blinking rate.
Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:23 AM   #6
z06boy
Letzroll
 
z06boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lake Norman area, NC
Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6
Posts: 5,265
Default

I have fast blinking blinkers due to switching the stockers for aftermarket ones. I've gotten used to it and I'm fine with it.

I know the kit came with some resisters that would reduce the flow to slow the signals down BUT they get really hot and I didn't want the additional heat since the bike is so hot anyways plus with all of the plastic on the bike.
z06boy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:33 AM   #7
fasternyou929
SFL Expatriate #2
 
fasternyou929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
Moto: CBR1000
Posts: 2,043
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rider View Post
LED blinkers have less resistance than the regular bulbs. You need to add a 5 ohm 100w resister in series for each blinker to slow down the blinking rate.
100W? That's way overkill. I'm sure even a 25W would be plenty.

Mounting the resistor where some air will pass over it will help with any heat issues, but like z06 pointed out, I'd keep it away from plastics.
fasternyou929 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 11:36 AM   #8
Rider
Moto GP Star
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,156
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fasternyou929 View Post
100W? That's way overkill. I'm sure even a 25W would be plenty.

Mounting the resistor where some air will pass over it will help with any heat issues, but like z06 pointed out, I'd keep it away from plastics.
That's what came with my Clear Alternatives integrated tail light. It worked fine for me. It was a little warm but I zip tied them to part of the frame to keep them off the plastic.
Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 12:40 PM   #9
fasternyou929
SFL Expatriate #2
 
fasternyou929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
Moto: CBR1000
Posts: 2,043
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple View Post
That's what I thought and this was initially the case with my bike. The front-left blinker bulb was out, causing the rear-left blinker to flash at double speed. However, I replaced the front bulb and now they both flash at double speed.

I have aftermarket blinkers front and back, but I've had them on there for almost two years and the fast blinking didn't start until a bulb went out last week.
Then the bulb you used as a replacement doesn't have the same resistance as your stock ones. Same solutions apply.
fasternyou929 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2009, 01:48 PM   #10
karl_1052
sergeant hatred
 
karl_1052's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Moto: The bus
Posts: 2,723
Default

It could also be a bad flasher relay.
__________________
My wife was afraid of the dark...then she saw me naked and now she's afraid of the light.
karl_1052 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:14 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.