Hi all, I have a Motorvation Spyder with a Springer fender with a running light on the front and I have to get my right turn signal further out there, the right one on the bike still works, I thought maybe some led lights inside where running light is on the front of the fender, and inside the tail light assembly on the rear? I looked inside the taillight and there's lots of room for a few more small bulbs, of course disconnect the right blinker from the bike, would look better than adding other lights, any idea's or suggestions?? thanks in advance, Doc.
I installed an amber colored truck running light on my MV FII SC. I had to replace the bulb with a larger 20W bulb, to match the bike bulbs, so the oreiginal bike flasher would work. works great, and looks great!
I disconnected the bike signal and just extended the wires to the new signal light on the SC.
Remember that on many Japanese and Italian bikes the turn signal flasher will have to be replaced with a heavy duty unit or else the added lights will flutter or not flash at all after you upgrade the lighting.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 12/4/2006 1:17 PM
Remember that on many Japanese and Italian bikes the turn signal flasher will have to be replaced with a heavy duty unit or else the added lights will flutter or not flash at all after you upgrade the lighting.
Lonnie
by disconnecting the bike right side signals, and extending the wiring to the signals on the SC, you are not adding extra lights. just moving them outboard to the right, where they belong.
it is also Illegal [in most states] to have the signals on the bike working if a SC is attached.they must be out on the sidecar, to prevent confusion to other drivers.
"Upgrading" will sometimes entail adding a front turn signal to the outfit and perhaps using higher candlepower lighting. As I said, "On some Japanese and Italian bikes the flasher may need to be replaced in order for the turn signal lights to operate correctly". This is not a huge expense (couple of bucks) and is cheap insurance to ensure safe lighting. We've needed to do this on late Guzzi's and some Japanese cruisers.
In Washington I know of very few sidecar only statutes. Disconnecting the bike's turn signals is not one of them. No auxiliary sidecar lighting is required in any western state or province that I am aware of, if the motorcycle has proper lighting.
Lonnie
Even if there is no state requirement, the right side bike signals should be disconnected, for obvious safety reasons. It can be very confusing to other traffic, seeing a 6 foot wide vehicle with the signal flashing to the left of center! they need to be out there where they belong..right front of rig and right rear.
it is very easy to just remove the bulb from the right signals. the front one should also be visible to oncoming traffic, same as they are on cages, not back on the side of the SC, or fender, hidden from view to left front.
Originally written by Hack'n on 12/4/2006 2:47 PM
"Upgrading" will sometimes entail adding a front turn signal to the outfit and perhaps using higher candlepower lighting. As I said, "On some Japanese and Italian bikes the flasher may need to be replaced in order for the turn signal lights to operate correctly". This is not a huge expense (couple of bucks) and is cheap insurance to ensure safe lighting. We've needed to do this on late Guzzi's and some Japanese cruisers.
In Washington I know of very few sidecar only statutes. Disconnecting the bike's turn signals is not one of them. No auxiliary sidecar lighting is required in any western state or province that I am aware of, if the motorcycle has proper lighting.
Lonnie
Here in Wisconsin the law isn't sidecar specific. It simply states that on any motorized vehicle a brake light and turn signal must be not more than ten inches from the outside edge of the vehicle.
Story from Pa.(Note that there was no turn signal on the fron tof th esidecar as it was still on the bike. On the rear the turn signal was on the sidecar and the bulb was removed from the turn signal on th ebike)
:
Inspector: Your vehicle would pass but the right rear turn signal doesn't work on the bike
Owner: The turn signal is on the sidecar and not the bike
Inspector: Then what is that on the bike?
Owner: Noting it is just there
Inspector: If is a light and it must work
Owner: It isn't a light as there is no bulb in it
Inspector: Oh really then what is it?
Owner: Lets say it is a reflector
Inspector: If it is a reflector and not a light why are there wires going to it?
Owner: It used to be a light
Inspector:It is still a light and must work!
Owner: Because of the wires?
Inspector: Yes it is obvious it is really a light or there would be not wires going to it. Like I said if there is a light on the vehicle it must work and just because you removed the bulb does not mean it is not a light.
Owner: Then it would be a reflector if there were no wires going to it?
Inspector: Yes, relfectors are not self luminating whereas a light must be.
Owner gets wire cutters from tool box..walks over to bike ...looks up under rear fender and cuts wires.
Inspector ,in disgust, puts inspection sticker on bike.
And they lived happily ever after.
That would have saved me a ticket in Minnesota a few years ago.
