Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: anycleavers on May 17, 2011, 07:53:58 PM
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On my '97, the front signal lights (amber) are on when ever the bike is running and they also function as my turn signals. But on the rear they are not lit and only function as my turn signals. Is this normal or should they also be on all the time? Thanks
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That is normal.
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Check your state laws regarding lighting. Most likely they require running lights visible from the rear to be red, front running lights yellow, and turn signals yellow, and that may even be federal rule, I'm not sure.
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Check your state laws regarding lighting. Most likely they require running lights visible from the rear to be red, front running lights yellow, and turn signals yellow, and that may even be federal rule, I'm not sure.
It varies by state but for most part you are not allowed to have amber rear facing running lights but you can have red rear facing running lights. Given that I've been converting my rear turns into running lights since the 80's and have yet to be stopped or ticketed for having amber rear facing running lights on any of my bikes through a good number of states. Now that is not to say the "YOU" will not get stopped and ticketed for it tomorrow but it has been my experience with LEO that if it appears to them that your only intension is to make your bike safer by way of being more noticeable that they are very tolerant of the law being bent. I have even been running "blue-dot" inserts in my brake lights and again have never been stopped or ticketed for them; I was in fact stopped the other day by a State Trooper for speeding and he never so much as said a word about my lighting variations and let me off with a warning about speeding.
To end this I use an SOS Priority Plus Brake Light Modulator/Turn Signal to Running Light Converter as while they are pricey they do make you much more visible by flashing your rear lights when you grab the brake.
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No, they're supposed to be off, but it's easy to make them running lights. Step by step here:
http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/17/103/ (http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/17/103/)
And here:
http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/24/103/ (http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/24/103/)
or here:
http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/12/103/ (http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/12/103/)
I tried the first on on my shadow. It didn't work. Just operator error, I'm positive. Took it out and fabbed the second one up on a piece of breadboard. It worked awesome and looked great. I was able to order red lenses from Clear Alternatives, but the don't have them for the C-10. If you didn't want to run ambers facing rear like Tony, you could paint the insides of the lenses with transparent paint from a model/hobby store.
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The easiest way to convert your rear turn signals to running lights/turn signals is to use the front turn signals off of a Kawasaki EX500. These turn signals are already set up to be running lights/turn signals, you can usually find them for a few dollars on Ebay. They bolt right up, you just have to connect the running light wire into the Taillight wire and your good to go. I like the amber running lights on the rear due to the added visibility the amber light gives you in inclement weather, especially fog. I've been running the amber running lights on the rear for about 20 years and have not had an LEO say a word about them.
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+1 on running amber running lights on the rear. I have done my own conversion on every bike I've ever owned by installing 1157 sockets (2 element bulbs) in place of the 1156 sockets (single element bulbs) that came on the bike. I also changed to 2357 bulbs, they are a few watts brighter for each element vs. the 1157's.
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Fantastic info, thanks. Now I have to figure out which mod to make.
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Wait, there's more! I don't think anyone covered the relay mod. This allows the use of your existing lights with the existing bulbs and sockets. The lights would be always on, and flash completely off and on when the signal is operated. The relay is wired so that power from the marker light circuit is going through the normally closed contacts of the relay to the light bulb. The signal light wire for that side (2 relays are required, 1 for each side) triggers the relay to open the closed connection each time it flashes, causing the light to flash off each time the signal lead gets power.
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Nope, beat you to it. It's the second link (I think) I listed. It's the one I did. It works great.
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Yep, I just looked as I hadn't checked the links previously, sorry!
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It was a good explanation of how it works though. It's good to note though that unless you replace your flasher with an electronic flasher your signals will blink double time. Also, your fronts will flash opposite your rears.
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Here be some info and links to the product that I described above and have used for roughly than 25 years.....
http://www.soundoffrec.com/products.aspx (http://www.soundoffrec.com/products.aspx)
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/Sound-Off-Recreational-SOS-PRIORITY-PLUS-MLPLPO-P-p/tr07-4051.htm (http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/Sound-Off-Recreational-SOS-PRIORITY-PLUS-MLPLPO-P-p/tr07-4051.htm)
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Is there a clear lens that fits the rear signals? Isn't there an LED 1157 that is available with both red and amber built in? Does anyone have the part number or bike the lens comes from? What about the front signal? Is a clear available for that one too? I'm rebuilding my dad's connie and this might be a cool item to do.
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Is there a clear lens that fits the rear signals? Isn't there an LED 1157 that is available with both red and amber built in? Does anyone have the part number or bike the lens comes from? What about the front signal? Is a clear available for that one too? I'm rebuilding my dad's connie and this might be a cool item to do.
Nothing but amber for the front..... I've heard of clear, red, and smoke for the rear or better yet look for front of the EX500 for the alternative colored lens. There is an LED kit that change do the color change you speak of but I can't recall where; try starting with www.electricalconnection.com (http://www.electricalconnection.com)
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Yep, this is the one I was remembering... http://www.electricalconnection.com/other-lighting/tsk-std.htm (http://www.electricalconnection.com/other-lighting/tsk-std.htm)
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That just scored high on the future farkle list.
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Convert motorcycle turn signals to turn, running, and brake lights - fits Kawasaki KLR650! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP5VED2WhwM#)
Video Convert motorcycle turn signals to turn, running, and brake lights - fits Kawasaki KLR650! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP5VED2WhwM#)
Here you go.
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Resurecting an old thread here, I know. I just did the "relay" version of this mod on 2 different bikes, first my son's '95 750 Nighthawk. Everything worked out great, amber running lights and turn signals. Next I did my wifes new 2014 Honda CTX and the lights look great, but flash double speed when using the turn signals. I see this mentioed in the thread and that I need to get electronic flasher unit(s), but why did it work on the old Nighthawk and not the new CTX? I know it has to do with current draw through the flasher unit and how quickly the resistive bar inside the unit heats up, but I'm still puzzled why it worked with just the relay's on the old bike, but I need to replace the flasher on the new bike. Any idea's?
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Resurecting an old thread here, I know. I just did the "relay" version of this mod on 2 different bikes, first my son's '95 750 Nighthawk. Everything worked out great, amber running lights and turn signals. Next I did my wifes new 2014 Honda CTX and the lights look great, but flash double speed when using the turn signals. I see this mentioed in the thread and that I need to get electronic flasher unit(s), but why did it work on the old Nighthawk and not the new CTX? I know it has to do with current draw through the flasher unit and how quickly the resistive bar inside the unit heats up, but I'm still puzzled why it worked with just the relay's on the old bike, but I need to replace the flasher on the new bike. Any idea's?
It's possible that the old bike had an electronic relay, while the newer bike has a thermal relay. Weird, but possible.
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It's also possible that it WAS flashing fast and I just didn't recognize it at the time :-X At least so my son says, it is flashing faster than normal, I will have to re-check when I get home ;)
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I've always replaced the sockets with sockets for an 1157 bulb.
Installed sockets, wired it up and I was done.
Never been hassled about the amber lights on the rear.
Ride safe, Ted
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No amber, but I think I'm pretty visible.
pic below
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I've done the 1157 socket conversion on all of my previous bikes, I wanted to give the relay conversion a try. The single element 1156's are brighter as running lights, and it's less mechanically involved to do the relay conversion, but obviously a bit more electrically complicated (but not terribly). Now I do need to buy an electronic or "LED compatible" flasher to go along with the conversion to get the flash rate correct, but they are available for about $25 shipped. I have and enjoy the Buck's Tail Brights as well, one can never have too much visibility! Also have a few extra LED's and marker and brake lights wired into the Givi box. I did check on the Nighthawk, and for some reason I was right, the flash rate is correct. Jon may be right, in the bike's nearly 20 years the flasher may have been upgraded to an electronic one.
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Video does not show - but the Running Lights' in the rear blinker are actually Red - using the LED Rings mentioned above. Plus I added the Brake Light Pulser to the mix. Very Effective.
(http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af140/spstrock/97%20Kawasaki%20Concours/th_NewRearLightingPackage_zpse93d2ccb.jpg) (http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af140/spstrock/97%20Kawasaki%20Concours/NewRearLightingPackage_zpse93d2ccb.mp4)
Stephen
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Now I do need to buy an electronic or "LED compatible" flasher to go along with the conversion to get the flash rate correct, but they are available for about $25 shipped.
$13 at superbrightleds.com Shipping shouldn't add too much to that. Even cheaper on ebay.
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$13 at superbrightleds.com Shipping shouldn't add too much to that. Even cheaper on ebay.
I saw those, but the flasher on the CTX is a 4 wire, no go with the universal replacements. It took some research, but we found the LED compatible version of the stock flasher, same case, pinout and mounting, so we went with that. Kathy had her first ride, other than an 8 mile test ride, on the CTX today. All is good, she is a happy camper. Set for 400+ miles tomorrow, we want seafood so it's off to the coast for lunch/dinner and back home!
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I saw those, but the flasher on the CTX is a 4 wire, no go with the universal replacements. It took some research, but we found the LED compatible version of the stock flasher, same case, pinout and mounting, so we went with that. Kathy had her first ride, other than an 8 mile test ride, on the CTX today. All is good, she is a happy camper. Set for 400+ miles tomorrow, we want seafood so it's off to the coast for lunch/dinner and back home!
I'm still staring out the window at 6"~9" of leftover snow. And temps too near freezing to risk taking the bike out. (Not to mention the sheet of ice that's still in front of my garage...)
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I'm still staring out the window at 6"~9" of leftover snow. And temps too near freezing to risk taking the bike out. (Not to mention the sheet of ice that's still in front of my garage...)
We have been hearing that Old Man Winter just won't rest up there. Our daughter is here with us this week on Spring Break from school in Syracuse, so walking the beach barefoot yesterday was a definite treat for her! You're welcome to join us on the BRP at the end of April to celebrate Kathy's birthday if you have the time! I know you have a trailer, bring the bike!
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Smooth. that looks great.
Like the effect with the brake lights.
Ride safe, Ted
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Video does not show - but the Running Lights' in the rear blinker are actually Red - using the LED Rings mentioned above. Plus I added the Brake Light Pulser to the mix. Very Effective.
Stephen
I have the same, very effective is an accurate description. Here in Oz red rear running and brake lights are legal but the flashing mode is not.
Regards, Russell
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What about running some bright 12v LEDs into the same housing with the bulb, then making them attach to the license plate running light or tail light. Then way they will be redish-amber until you switch on the turn signal and should blink significantly brighter than the LEDs to indicate your turn.
I have been thinking about this since two bikes ago.
The LEDs are small and already have a built in Diod to handle the direct 12v
They would be hotglued to the rear of the reflector inside directly behind the bulb and the wires being really thin would follow down the same tube as the existing wiring and tapped in.
And I wanted to find out the viability of such an endeavor.
edit for link: http://www.amazon.com/Qty-Lights--wired-volt-leds-/dp/B007O1X12C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426535350&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+led+red (http://www.amazon.com/Qty-Lights--wired-volt-leds-/dp/B007O1X12C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426535350&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+led+red)
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My solutions was to attach two red led strip lights (mine are SOMA [stay off my a__] to the turn signal stalks. The lights I got were dual brightness lights and attach to the tail and stop lamps. They run at standard brightness all the time and get very bright when the brakes are applied. Very attention getting along with my brake light modulator in the regular brake light. Between the reflective tape on my bags, the brake light and the led's, if you don't see me, you ARE blind! :o