Good idea! The normal units operate by way of a bi-metal strip making or breaking contact. The metal heats up with current and breaks the contact. They get old and get weak. Also the resistance of the bulbs effect the current. What bulbs are in the front?

 

Haha! I promised Mrs Shakey that I would post that clip again!

In answer to Dean0's question: Yep! I only live about 500 yards from the St Annes Monday meet, so I'm usually around on a nice summer evening and I know loads of the regulars and the organisers. Don't usually get out to Knott End on Wednesdays tho as work usually has other ideas! I also go to Rivi Barn on Sundays now and again. It'd be good to meet up sometime soon. Just gotta get the MOT sorted in the next week or so!

 

Not sure ... I'll check in the morning.

 

I think some of the LEDs have resisters that would make it flash quick due to the load.

 

The solid state flasher will fix the issue, but if you are in a pinch, head to radio shack/jaycar/whatever they call it wherever you are from, and get some big resistors and put them in parallel with the offending indicators.

I used 2 10ohm 5 watt resistors on each side (AUS$8 all up) and it now flashes like a champ.(I couldn't wait for the solid state flasher cause I wanted to ride it NOW!)

The flasher upgrade is a better long-term solution though.

Tim.

 

BINGO!!!!

Did you spot that my friont indicators are non standard matey???

You are spot on! Well done!

Checked today and the front bulbs are 10w (supposed to be 21w). I fitted a 21w bulb and it now flashes perfectly. Only trouble is, the new bulb is too big to fit inside the unit (lens wont fit), so I guess I need to find some new front indicators with 21w bulbs.

Thanks to everyone who replied offering advise.


shakey

 

Glad you were able to sort it out.

 

got to this one late, but being an electrical guy i knew that was your problem once i read the indicators up front were aftermarket. good job, fellas.

lower wattage (essentially lower amperage since the bike always runs at 12v) bulbs will blink faster because the flasher module is made for a specific amperage to make/break the connection. lower the amperage, raises the resistance...all part of the V=I*R equation. the solid state flasher will definitely cure it, but so will the right sized bulbs as you figured out. good luck with whatever solution ends up being your meal ticket.

i will have to play with this stuff soon since i want to make an integrated tail light with turn signals. we'll see what i come up with.

 

Post a picture of the 10w bulb - i bet you can get a 21w version of it if we can identify it.