Traffic signals??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 9
From: Texas
Wait a cycle or two and you can run it legally. If you call the city engineer office, they most likely will reset the lights for you. I did this once and they met me at the light, blocked off the left turn lane to traffic, and had me pull up on my bike several times to test it.
Most lights are controlled by the electric field created by the loop of wires buried in the road; however, newer lights are going to a camera system which they say will work much better.
Now I have another issue with another left turn light near my house. This one is one of the camera monitored lights, if you run it you will get a $75 ticket in the mail. On top of that, they deemed it a civil fine and you cannot contest it in court. First time I pulled into that left turn lane, the light never changed. I was going to run it after a couple cycles like I normally do, but then I realized I would get a ticket. The camera doesn't know I waited. I backed up some, got into the other lane and went straight. Since then I have just avoided that lane until I talk to the city about what my options are there, or they come fix it.
Most lights are controlled by the electric field created by the loop of wires buried in the road; however, newer lights are going to a camera system which they say will work much better.
Now I have another issue with another left turn light near my house. This one is one of the camera monitored lights, if you run it you will get a $75 ticket in the mail. On top of that, they deemed it a civil fine and you cannot contest it in court. First time I pulled into that left turn lane, the light never changed. I was going to run it after a couple cycles like I normally do, but then I realized I would get a ticket. The camera doesn't know I waited. I backed up some, got into the other lane and went straight. Since then I have just avoided that lane until I talk to the city about what my options are there, or they come fix it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
I never wait until the light changes when the only one in the intersection.It just makes sense with gas prices like they are.We have lights in this neck of the woods that do not work,half the time.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
all the time, hate it. i usually turn right. but once i waited to turn left and after a long time i and no traffic i went through only to have a cop follow me home, hep he did not pull me over but followed me home. he waited for me to park in the garage then walked up my drive to tell me i went through a red light. no ticket, just said i can't do that. then chatted with me a bit about harley. i think he was lonely
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
Last month I was stuck at one of those never changing lights on the way to work. This one gets me all the time. Anyway a Cop pulls up in the lane on the other side of the intersection. I gave him the WTF wave, he motioned me thru the intersection. Thought that was cool of him!
I have looked at those magnet things but about half say they work and other half say snake oil. Might give it a try. Ebay has a few that don't cost too much!
I have looked at those magnet things but about half say they work and other half say snake oil. Might give it a try. Ebay has a few that don't cost too much!
This happened to me the other day on HWY 84 in Daleville AL. There was already two HD sitting there waiting so we just looked around and took off when it was clear.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 5
I pull my up with my rims right on the parallel wires, if that dont work, I pull ahead a little farther and let a car trip it for me, if no car and I see 2 cycles, I go....But am waiting for an argument with a cop about it. I read somewhere about those magnets and they claim they are worthless. I read the Signal Sorcerer company is out of business. If it was that good of a product they would be rolling in dough.
Wanna test the theory yourself, use a big magnet on a rope and drop it on the ground at a light, it may only work if you drop it over the loop wires perfectly. If the street has been paved over, you wont know where the wires are.
The only way to get the light to change is to bolt on a 4' x 8' 1/2 inch steel plate under your bike, and none of us are doing that.
Wanna test the theory yourself, use a big magnet on a rope and drop it on the ground at a light, it may only work if you drop it over the loop wires perfectly. If the street has been paved over, you wont know where the wires are.
The only way to get the light to change is to bolt on a 4' x 8' 1/2 inch steel plate under your bike, and none of us are doing that.
Last edited by Johnnyiroc; Jul 15, 2009 at 09:09 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 836
Likes: 4
From: NC / SC between the Mtns and the Ocean
all the time, hate it. i usually turn right. but once i waited to turn left and after a long time i and no traffic i went through only to have a cop follow me home, hep he did not pull me over but followed me home. he waited for me to park in the garage then walked up my drive to tell me i went through a red light. no ticket, just said i can't do that. then chatted with me a bit about harley. i think he was lonely
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5mSxQS4Xmw
Last edited by karz10; Jul 15, 2009 at 09:52 AM.