Self canceling indicators

[FJmonkey]

In cars it is very easy, the switch is in the steering column, it gets canceled when you turn the steering wheel back towards center. But it really is not difficult to do on bikes either, a simple timer after the clutch is released would work. $300 is a rip off for a safety feature.

[Pat Conlon]

.....a simple timer after the clutch is released would work. $300 is a rip off for a safety feature.

A bit more involved than that.... The distance timer interfaced with the speedo turns them off when using them to change lanes on the freeway

[Country Joe]

In cars it is very easy, the switch is in the steering column, it gets canceled when you turn the steering wheel back towards center. But it really is not difficult to do on bikes either, a simple timer after the clutch is released would work. $300 is a rip off for a safety feature.

It is done on the Honda Goldwing with a switch in the center of the steering stem.  Works just it does on a car.

    Joe

[Pat Conlon]

Joe, it's gotta be more than that, otherwise, how would the Goldwing's indicators shut off when changing lanes on the freeway?

[Country Joe]

Pat,
I will check the Goldwing wiring diagram to see if it used a distance from the speedo to calculate a distance as well. To be honest, I don't remember how it cancelled after a lane change. I do remember that the blinkers often didn't stay on long enough. You usually had to punch them twice during a turn.

  Joe

[Charlie-brm]

If anything, my pet peeve goes the other way. I have found myself signalling a left turn, get held at the red light or within the intersection and notice the signal has gone off and I have to move the switch again to turn it back on. It's distracting at that point to have my attention away from the traffic, and I don't like the feeling of knowing I was a sitting duck with no indicator telegraphing my next move.

On topic; if a turn involves (some or all of these) head checks, releasing the brake, easing out the clutch, rolling on the throttle, turn down the throttle, clutch in, snicking up a gear, clutch etc. etc and checking the mirrors or doing head checks, is it too much to throw "cancel the signals" in there? It's just another thing I do to complete the turn automatically. The turn's not done until I kill the signals. No big deal.

[Capn Ron]

Is it too much to throw "cancel the signals" in there? It's just another thing I do to complete the turn automatically. The turn's not done until I kill the signals. No big deal.

I agree...there are so many variables in indicating what I'm up to to other vehicles.  Sometimes it's a quick lane change...sometimes, I'm looking for a little compassion from another driver to get a little room in a packed 8-lane intersection...maybe I'm making the one-time rolling "right on red"...maybe I'm trying to indicate to fellow riders behind me that we're going to be making a left at the next turn a 1/4 mile up the road with a quick flash of the left turn signal.

In all the above, I like turning it on when I want it to be on, and stabbing the switch with my thumb when I want it to be off.  That being said, I find myself "over canceling"...that is to say that I'm paranoid if I remembered to turn the signal off so I'm doing the OCD thing with the switch two or three times until I'm convinced it's off.  It's especially prevalent when I see a biker ahead of me that left theirs on for the last mile!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, ya gotta agree with Charlie..... Although I do like Noel's solution...

[movenon]

I agree with Ron. I find myself self canceling almost 100% of the time. I will on occasion let it self cancel because I am curious as to if it works more than relying on them. Old school I guess.

In reviewing the service manual it states:

"Generally the signal will self cancel after either 10 seconds or 490 feet, which ever is greater. At very low speed function is determined by distance; at high speed, especially when changing speeds the cancelling determination is a combination of times and distance. The self cancelling mechanism only operates when the bike is moving"

I guess Yamaha got all there bases covered there  
George

[Harvy]

I find myself "over canceling"...
Cap'n Ron. . .

YEP...... stab that cancel button 3 or 4 times just to make sure, especially now that I have the digital dash - the turn signal tell-tales are hard to see particularly when full sunlight on the dash.

Harvy

[Timbo-1]

My 86 has them and think they are great. Also on my 78 XS11E.  Was pissed of when I bought my FJR and they didn't have them..

[ribbert]

Is it too much to throw "cancel the signals" in there? It's just another thing I do to complete the turn automatically. The turn's not done until I kill the signals. No big deal.

I agree...there are so many variables in indicating what I'm up to to other vehicles.  Sometimes it's a quick lane change...sometimes, I'm looking for a little compassion from another driver to get a little room in a packed 8-lane intersection...maybe I'm making the one-time rolling "right on red"...maybe I'm trying to indicate to fellow riders behind me that we're going to be making a left at the next turn a 1/4 mile up the road with a quick flash of the left turn signal.

In all the above, I like turning it on when I want it to be on, and stabbing the switch with my thumb when I want it to be off.  That being said, I find myself "over canceling"...that is to say that I'm paranoid if I remembered to turn the signal off so I'm doing the OCD thing with the switch two or three times until I'm convinced it's off.  It's especially prevalent when I see a biker ahead of me that left theirs on for the last mile!

Cap'n Ron. . .

Even the most sophisticated self cancelling indicators have limitations that do not adequately cover all circumstances on a bike in traffic, as per Cap' Ron's observations.
Indicating, or not indicating on a bike, particularly in traffic, at exactly the right moment and for exactly the right time is just plain dangerous and the only way to have control over that is manually.

is it too much to throw "cancel the signals" in there? It's just another thing I do to complete the turn automatically. The turn's not done until I kill the signals. No big deal.

That's fine Charlie, and that's what we do most of the time. But it's when something interrupts the sequence that we forget. Any distraction can, and does, cause this.

My coffee machine has 19,000 cups showing on the counter, all made by me. A simple process, a couple of buttons. However, if my wife or kids call my name or speak to me while doing it I forget where I was up to and often end up with double strength coffee or a cup made with rinsing water.

Or, on the road, you have just made your turn and straightened up and the car next to you is suddenly drifting into your lane, or a hundred other possible distractions, the sequence is lost and the indicator stays on.

I also used to be a serial cancel button stabber while cruising down the road. I have ridden bikes with all sorts of systems but after 40+ years riding the only fail safe solution I have found is the current one I mentioned a day or so back.

It's interesting to think that the solution to a 40 year old problem suddenly presents itself for less than $20. I have had some bikes where the tell tales are easy to see in all conditions but not many. None as easy to see as the LED though.

Noel

[biggo]

Last time this was discussed I was amazed at the ho hum attitude of many to the dangers of riding with your indicator on. It is THE most stupid, dangerous and avoidable thing you can do in traffic. Someone here I recall had the problem licked, he advocated not using them at all, preferring a low hand signal. Not sure how that works with throttle, clutch and at night though or if drivers these days would even know what he was doing.

I don't like (trust) self cancelling indicators and as you all know, the FJ tell tales are not easy to see.

Yes, yes, yes, I know many of you NEVER forget, but for the rest of us driving in a busy environment distractions can pop out of nowhere with no notice and interrupt the sequence. I probably remember 999 out of 1000 but I still don't like those odds if it means a car is going to pull out right in front of me of turn across my bows.

I bought one of these (wouldn't waste my time making one for the money)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorcycle-indicator-warning-LED-a-must-have-/220540828057?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item335941f999&_uhb=1

It comes waterproofed externally, diodes, splitter and joins all shrink wrapped internally, flexible stalk and fittings all for under $20 including postage from the UK.

It is one of those gadgets that makes me smile (internally) every time I see it flashing because it just the perfect solution for hardly any money.

It can be seen easily in direct sunlight and the brightness can be controlled by angling it away slightly.







Love it.

Noel

I liked your idea on the warning light Noel so went about my own version.
I have a xj900 that has self cancelling indicators that personally I love and found when swapping bike I was often leaving the indicators going on the FJ.
I bought the brightest LEDs that I could from Jaycar and made 2 one for each side.
I mounted them on stalks first off but found vibration an issue so drilled two holes in the trip on fairing and pointed the leds straight into my eyes.
They really stand out in your peripheral vision area, to be honest they are too bright at night but I can live with that





Cheers Phil

[ribbert]

Cheers Phil

Phil, this is exactly what I had planned, in the exact same location, even bought the lights. Then I saw the one on ebay.
The advantage to that was the diodes let you get away with one light for both indicators. But I had planned what you did.
Good job!
Yeah, mine's pretty bright at night but who cares. It is a small price to pay for the job they do and it's not like they're on all the time, ANYMORE!

Noel

[Pat Conlon]

Great ideas...Thank you Noel and Phil!