At the risk of asking a really stupid question....Turn signals, self cancelling?

[Craig9409]

My 1998 GL1500 CT, should the turn signals be self cancelling? Mine are not and I had assumed they were designed before that feature was on a lot of bikes. But in studying parts at Pinwell Cycle Parts, they have a "turn signal self cancelling relay" listed for my bike. The Partszilla OEM Honda parts diagrams identify a "suspension Turn Signal Relay (which looks the same as the used one on Pinwell) as well as a flasher relay. As I bought this classic just 8 months ago in as is condition, I have a lot to learn about it and I'm learning more daily. So... is mine supposed to self cancel or no? Nothing in the factory service manual speaks to this "suspension Turn signal relay" nor does it mention a self cancelling feature. I do not possess an owners manual as yet, which may have explained this feature if it exists. Thanks.

[Valker]

No. Unless your thumb is automatic.

The thumb switch needs cleaned and lubed on a fairly regular basis, like once a year or so.

[Jess from VA]

Nope.

And very few have not looked down to see the signal still on, some miles after the turn.  

It's not hard to remember when you slide right through a turn, but when you sit in a turn lane for a while, it's easy to forget.  I do not put my signal on, sitting back in line in a turn lane (everyone is turning), until I am head of the line and will turn, only then do I use the signal.  And, when I am thinking about it, I tend to cover the signal button with my thumb, as a reminder to knock it off, after the turn.

The trouble with a perpetual turn signal, not only do you look stupid, you can cause others to react to a signal when you are not intending to turn. 

[RonW]

friendly reminder, operator should press the thumb lever 'in' to cancel turn signals. Not, flick the thumb lever to left or right.

[Steel cowboy]

You could make a vibrating pot into the bottom of the seat to tie into the turn signal wire. There used to be sold as such, but it is a simply build. Someone hopefully will post a picture.

[Craig9409]

OK, well the consensus says no, they are not self canceling. I didn't think they were. But I thought I'd ask. I was hoping I had a failed self canceling relay I could replace to fix it. I have two more modern bikes that do have it. A 2013 Victory Vegas which when I rode it the first time, I was amazed it had that feature.

My 2015 Indian Chieftain has it. But even these bikes require you to pay attention as in certain instances depending on shifting and acceleration, they won't cancel automatically like lane changes at speed. Obviously, the new Husqvarna dirt bike doesn't have it.

So here in lies the problem, you get used to riding a bike that has it and then jump on the Valkyrie and it doesn't have it. I bought an aftermarket setup that you wire in and it does it. I believe I show that unit in my video on the Valkyrie concept and parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5m82PKQhUE

I haven't ever looked at the thing or the instructions as yet and the part is in my storage unit boxed up with a lot of the now removed parts off the bike. I plan to put it on when the bike goes back together. Its not a necessary item but I like the feature on my other two bikes.

Thanks again for the help. I appreciate you all.

[Valker]

Put some kind of beeper in line.

[Craig9409]

Not a bad idea there! It could be wired to the indicator and hidden inside the head light. Like a small not too annoying piezo. I like it. The challenge is finding something you can stand to listen to in the turn lane.

I put an engine room water sensor in the big yacht I restored, It was keel bilge mounted between the diesels. Lowest point of the engine room. I had installed dripless shaft seals on the propellor shafts so no water would or should enter the bilge. I had put two large capacity pumps in that bilge as well. Two for redundancy. I made up some nice black acrylic alarm panels with on- off -test switches, piezo alarm and an indicator light, one for the salon and one for the flying bridge helms. The piezo alarms on those would wake the dead. But I'm sure a guy could find one that was not too obnoxious.

I'm going to wire in that self cancelling unit I bought and if that works out, that will help. I'm pretty good at cancelling my signals but I do screw it up now and again. I got really good at turning off the gas when I turn off the ignition. All my other bikes are injected, so that took a little getting used to.

[Peteg]

I got my standard 3 days ago and already ordered the STS2 system ($150). It was 4-16 weeks out. They're out of some place crazy like Slovinia. I installed the system on both my other bikes, so now when I'm riding the Valk it seems like my turn signals are on continuously. The system is easy to install If you don't mind cutting wires in you head light can. It is very reliable and it works as well as the system on my car. I just went out and look at the bike, and I'm sure I'll be pulling the tank to install the control module, but that's way better that me not letting my wife on the bike because I'm too brain dead to cancel the signals.

[Knapdog]

Put some kind of beeper in line.

Put one on my C90 years ago, but after a short while the beeping, for every turn, almost literally drove me round the bend  , so I took it off and have been happily "beep free" ever since.

[psckam]

My 77 Yamaha XS 650 had self cancelling turn signals, I always wondered why all bikes didn't have them.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My 77 Yamaha XS 650 had self cancelling turn signals, I always wondered why all bikes didn't have them.

Ditto, 77 Yamaha 750 Triple . They worked flawlessly.

[Peteg]

That's funny, I had a 74 xs650 (the last year they had frame harmonics) and a 76 750 3 into 2 before they went to the higher rpm cams. I don't remember either having self cancelling. Was it timer only logic? I suppose mine may have had timer cancelling, but I don't remember it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

That's funny, I had a 74 xs650 (the last year they had frame harmonics) and a 76 750 3 into 2 before they went to the higher rpm cams. I don't remember either having self cancelling. Was it timer only logic? I suppose mine may have had timer cancelling, but I don't remember it.

yes, if I remember correctly it was on a timer. There were a few times sitting at a light you would need to turn them on again. Not very often though. Not foolproof at all, but kept you from leaving them on and having someone turn in front of you because of it.

[ciddriver]

I put a set of led lights (line of 12 red) on each side of the windshield that flashes with the turn signal. Can see them in bright sun light and work very well.

[Valker]

I put a set of led lights (line of 12 red) on each side of the windshield that flashes with the turn signal. Can see them in bright sun light and work very well.

In Texas it is illegal to have red lights facing forward.

[Peteg]

Now that I'm trying hard to remember the 70's I think my 74 & 76 Yamaha's did time out. That's back when I killed the brain cells that make it impossible for me to ride without them now.

[Valker]

Now that I'm trying hard to remember the 70's I think my 74 & 76 Yamaha's did time out. That's back when I killed the brain cells that make it impossible for me to ride without them now.

Not sure with the new computers, but self canceling turn signals used to be set to flash for 10 seconds or 150 feet, whichever is longer.

[ciddriver]

The lights are on the inside facing back so you can see them, not forward. Works good.

[Chrisj CMA]

I installed the Jersey blinker unit. It’s genius!  Self canceling and you can tell it how long to stay on. It stays on when brakes applied or if in neutral. 4 way and escort flashers. It’s perfect.

[Peteg]

I only have experience with the STS ST2 system It's really good but does not have flasher logic, which would be nice. They do stop cancel time logic with an accelerometer that senses motion (I guess vertical bumps). I guess it's a cancel timer, Lean indicator cancel switch, and motion indicator all managed by a application specific processor that makes your turn signals just like the ones in your car. Anymore I order a system as soon as I buy a bike. Technology is amazing when it works well. All that in a little black box for $150.

[jnicks01]

Put some kind of beeper in line.

Oh god!  My BMW airhead had that.  Came off 3 days later.  Unless they make one that is a nice soft "ding".

[Valker]

Put some kind of beeper in line.

Oh god!  My BMW airhead had that.  Came off 3 days later.  Unless they make one that is a nice soft "ding".

Mine is quiet enough that I can hear it while rolling down the road, but it doesn't deafen me when stopped. That's perfect for me since, if I'm stopped somewhere in a turning line, I shut it off unless there's nobody behind me. They make them with various volumes. My 2011 F-150 has an obnoxious flasher for the turns. It is shut off with my same rules.

[DarkSideR]

Self canceling option plus hazards for the valkyrie

https://youtu.be/dHVFh1oLKQ0