Not trying to sound like an ass(yet im going to). But I never under stood when people do unnecessary mods to bikes and or cars for either appearance or performance upgrades. When all it ussually does is kill the reliability of said vehicle component. Only mods i do are for comfort or to fix a know issue. I could really care less how it looks or if its the fastest one. But that's just my thoughts to each their own i guess. Im saying this because im assuming the tail light was changes on pure looks alone(i could be wrong there too)
So this is a bit of an odd issue and I'll try to explain it as best I can. 2012 C14. I installed an aftermarket tail light with integrated directional. Works great. No issues. I have a givi V46 top case with an admore lighting kit installed. Also works great. No issues. Brake light works, directionals work. All was good in lighting land... Then I bought a brake light flasher and all went to PooP! It worked when I first put it in and then stopped working all together a few days later. Found out it was for LED only which is what I have but I think because of the admore lighting kit I'm drawing more than it's rated for. Ok no big deal I'll just remove it. Well with it removed the admore kit no longer has a functioning brake light and when I hit my right directional the brake light in the givi blinks in opposite cadence. Left blinker is fine. Driving me nuts! I have a feeling it has something to do with the way everything is grounded but I'm not an electrical guru. At the moment I just cut the brake light wire going to the admore kit and it's just lit up with running lights at the moment. Ideally I'd like it to function as a brake light too. Any help / advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Max, don't you have a thread on the front turn signal mod?
This is actually a pretty well known problem; I discovered it quite a few years ago when I put that same tail light on a C-14 and the Rostra CC would no longer work. :-(
This is what's happening: when the brake light is off, the new taillight assembly puts about 8 volts on the brake wire. If there is nothing else connected to that taillight, all is well. But if anything else such as aux. lights, a cruise control, etc. is connected, it picks up that 8 volts and <usually> senses it as 'ON' but cannot draw enough current to actually turn on.
The fix is to put a diode in line with the brake light line between the new taillight and everything else. The diode will prevent the anything / everything else on the brake circuit (all of which will be aftermarket farkles because Kawasaki only uses the brake light on that circuit) from being back- fed (Boys!) any current.
Brian
I knew it was something crossed or back fed somewhere along the lines and I knew someone on here would be like Oh Yeah I know this one! Ha... When everything was working properly I had the safest C14 a$$ on the road! The whole butt end of the bike was flashing when I hit the brakes and directionals half the bike blinked. Now for the $64,000 question. What's a diode and how would one install said diode?
A diode is a one- way valve for current (electricity). This is a basic explanation I think: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/diodes
You cut the brake light wire, put the diode in- between the wire where you cut it and then solder it in on both sides. Or you could use crimps on both sides. The cover it with heat shrink tubing or worst- case, electrical tape (but do a good job 'cause you kinda' need that brake circuit).
Now where to get a diode.... well, you can get them by the onesies or twosies at Radio Shack for a reasonable price. But RShack went belly- up and a lot of stores are closed. The good news is that they are less than a penny a piece; the bad news is that you gotta' buy a bunch of them and pay shipping. Tell you what, I will send you a diode. Just send me you contact info. (name, street address, etc.) and before you can count how many protons there are in a Couloumb, it will be in your mailbox.
By the way, as a diode is a one- way device, it must be installed facing the right way. If not, nothing bad will happen in this instance but the brake light will not work. The right way is with the band on the diode facing the brake light side of the circuit, not on the side going back into the bike's harness.
All C-14's are the safest motorcycles possible as they are protected by the security envelope and everlasting goodness of KiPass.
Brian
Brian you are a true gentleman and thank you! You meet the nicest people on the forums! A few bad eggs here and there but hey that's life. We have a couple of Radio Shacks which as per the store locator are still open close by. Let me check them out first before you're running around sending me a diode. I'll know tomorrow if they're belly up around here. Too bad you're not making it to the fall rally. Still a few good eggs over there.
knowing Brian, he's expecting that beer tonight... because he wants to watch. the eclipse of the "blood moon", so better grab good beer and get a mooooovin....hehheheheheheh
and be careful... dat boy always carries a straight razah in his boot....an itz sharp....he cutz 3 ways, long, smoothe, an' continuos...
man, I miss some of youse guys seriously...
I know all about his razor fetish... Watched him shave the RevPopeat the Tennessee National. Ha!! And then someone opened a can of decaying flesh outside the hotel!!!! And these crazy Europeans (and one crazy Texan) ate it!!!!! Nightmares!!!
I know all about his razor fetish... Watched him shave the Pope at the Tennessee National. Ha!! And then someone opened a can of decaying flesh outside the hotel!!!! And these crazy Europeans ate it!!!!! Nightmares!!!
Much to my surprise my local radio shack was open. Looking as the diode drawer I grabbed a "12volt" diode. Forget the number but yes it was in a 2 pack and it worked! Put it on the brake line and no more wonky directionals. A gentleman and scholar sir! Thank you for your help.
Yeah I know you're not too far from Lake George but I saw in the forums you have your hands full at home. Best of luck in getting all that sorted! Next time our paths cross the beers are on me!