Indicators lights, everything! And MOT!

Bert · 16-01-2022, 05:46 PM

Well, I bought some cheapo rear indicators, non-led. Without a rear light connected, the front (non-led) one flashes madly. And when I connect the rear..... they both flash madly. With the original rear LEDs connected, presumably with resistors built-in, all is good so is it a case of the bulbs not drawing enough current? They are supposedly rated at 3w each. Failed mot because aftermarket LED integrated rear lamp fitted by previous owner didn't place the indicators far enough apart.

Also rear light, front light, number plate light don't work. Brake light does. They were working fine yesterday! Fuses good. Things getting worse

Mr Gazza · 16-01-2022, 08:03 PM

Indicator bulbs are normally 21w.

slob · 17-01-2022, 10:47 AM

^^^Yup, 3W not nearly enough to balance the flasher relay.

Bert · 21-01-2022, 10:56 AM

All good now. Got a pair of indicators 10w rating, all works fine! Headlight not working was down to a fuse, a bare indicator feed might have touched the frame.

Darren69 · 21-01-2022, 11:34 AM

An Italian bike teaching you all about electrics! Although contrary to popular belief about Italian bikes, Jap bikes of the same era are actually nearly as bad, the connectors may be better and more weatherproof but the components are just as crappy and unreliable. It's just that popular journals of the time actually wrote about it. Suzuki reg/recs anyone?

Mark64 · 21-01-2022, 06:43 PM

Ducati - turning riders into mechanics since 1926

Nickj · 21-01-2022, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

An Italian bike teaching you all about electrics! Although contrary to popular belief about Italian bikes, Jap bikes of the same era are actually nearly as bad, the connectors may be better and more weatherproof but the components are just as crappy and unreliable. It's just that popular journals of the time actually wrote about it. Suzuki reg/recs anyone?

And for years Honda wiring were at least as crappy as Ducati, some of the routing was a bit better though.

350TSS · 22-01-2022, 02:11 AM

Honda have a good PR machine - all those journos on alcoholic freebies writing what they are told to - Legendary Honda reliability etc etc. My experience was somewhat different.
I have owned 6 Honda motorcycles.
1. C50 - push rod non OHC cub - great no issues - traded for 2
2. C90 - push rod/earles forks model - big end let go after about 3 month's ownership - hardly surprising as a 16 year old the poor little thing was never ever off full throttle
3. CB160 - fabulous engine that ran the mains/big end bearings about 6 weeks after I bought it and cost me more to repair than the initial purchase price.
After a hiatus between ages 25 and 34 I returned to biking for cheap and rapid (London) commuting.
4. 250 RS - 250 single, great bike bought cheap as a London commuter - no issues - did maybe 20k miles on it. vague front end but otherwise very fit for purpose.
5. XBR 500 also a commuter, electric starter stopped working the day after I bought it then had issues with a lazy automatic valve lifter/de-compressor linked to the kick starter which caused it to remain in contact with the camshaft (making a horrendous knocking noise). After about 20k miles I took it for an MOT and was told I could not ride it home as the swinging arm had rotted through.
6. Bros 650 - also primarily a commuter - a great riding experience apart from the slightly clunky rear end ( I blamed the weight of the single sided SA) but all manner of electrical problems eventually traced by the next owner to a partially fractured wire in the loom around the head stock.
My 750SS on the other hand was brilliant, 1 speedo cable and 1 oil pressure switch were all that went wrong with it in 30k miles.

Jez900ie · 22-01-2022, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

An Italian bike teaching you all about electrics! Although contrary to popular belief about Italian bikes, Jap bikes of the same era are actually nearly as bad, the connectors may be better and more weatherproof but the components are just as crappy and unreliable. It's just that popular journals of the time actually wrote about it. Suzuki reg/recs anyone?

The clue is in better and more weatherproof connectors. My 42 year old TS185 has a great original wiring loom, reg, CDI etc all of which works perfectly. I never had a Ducati back then, but I knew a few people who did & they lived in fear of it raining mid ride!

Italian electrickery was more on a par with Brit crap.

16-01-2022, 05:46 PM	#1
Bert Registered User Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Brighton Bike: M696 Posts: 18	Indicators lights, everything! And MOT! Well, I bought some cheapo rear indicators, non-led. Without a rear light connected, the front (non-led) one flashes madly. And when I connect the rear..... they both flash madly. With the original rear LEDs connected, presumably with resistors built-in, all is good so is it a case of the bulbs not drawing enough current? They are supposedly rated at 3w each. Failed mot because aftermarket LED integrated rear lamp fitted by previous owner didn't place the indicators far enough apart. Also rear light, front light, number plate light don't work. Brake light does. They were working fine yesterday! Fuses good. Things getting worse

16-01-2022, 08:03 PM	#2
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,815	Indicator bulbs are normally 21w. __________________

21-01-2022, 11:34 AM	#5
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	An Italian bike teaching you all about electrics! Although contrary to popular belief about Italian bikes, Jap bikes of the same era are actually nearly as bad, the connectors may be better and more weatherproof but the components are just as crappy and unreliable. It's just that popular journals of the time actually wrote about it. Suzuki reg/recs anyone? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

17-01-2022, 10:47 AM	#3
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,712	^^^Yup, 3W not nearly enough to balance the flasher relay.

21-01-2022, 10:56 AM	#4
Bert Registered User Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Brighton Bike: M696 Posts: 18	All good now. Got a pair of indicators 10w rating, all works fine! Headlight not working was down to a fuse, a bare indicator feed might have touched the frame.

21-01-2022, 06:43 PM	#6
Mark64 Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Hondon de los Frailes Bike: S4r Posts: 287	Ducati - turning riders into mechanics since 1926

22-01-2022, 02:11 AM	#8
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,419	Honda have a good PR machine - all those journos on alcoholic freebies writing what they are told to - Legendary Honda reliability etc etc. My experience was somewhat different. I have owned 6 Honda motorcycles. 1. C50 - push rod non OHC cub - great no issues - traded for 2 2. C90 - push rod/earles forks model - big end let go after about 3 month's ownership - hardly surprising as a 16 year old the poor little thing was never ever off full throttle 3. CB160 - fabulous engine that ran the mains/big end bearings about 6 weeks after I bought it and cost me more to repair than the initial purchase price. After a hiatus between ages 25 and 34 I returned to biking for cheap and rapid (London) commuting. 4. 250 RS - 250 single, great bike bought cheap as a London commuter - no issues - did maybe 20k miles on it. vague front end but otherwise very fit for purpose. 5. XBR 500 also a commuter, electric starter stopped working the day after I bought it then had issues with a lazy automatic valve lifter/de-compressor linked to the kick starter which caused it to remain in contact with the camshaft (making a horrendous knocking noise). After about 20k miles I took it for an MOT and was told I could not ride it home as the swinging arm had rotted through. 6. Bros 650 - also primarily a commuter - a great riding experience apart from the slightly clunky rear end ( I blamed the weight of the single sided SA) but all manner of electrical problems eventually traced by the next owner to a partially fractured wire in the loom around the head stock. My 750SS on the other hand was brilliant, 1 speedo cable and 1 oil pressure switch were all that went wrong with it in 30k miles.