Turn signals ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
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From: Upstate New York
As I said, H-D has had self canceling signals since '91 across the board. I'm not familiar with Texas law, or how far back that particular provison might go. I can only attest to my own 22 year experience with Harley-Davidson.
As I said, my '89 Sporty most assuredly had to have the button held in for the signals to work. I bought the bike new, and the dealer explained that this was, indeed, normal. It was, IIRC, even part of the "customer orientation" when I bought the bike.
To be sure, the Harley Softail speedos DID change in '91, and had the reed switch added for the turn signal cancellers. That can be verified by checking the parts manuals for the appropriate years.
As I said, my '89 Sporty most assuredly had to have the button held in for the signals to work. I bought the bike new, and the dealer explained that this was, indeed, normal. It was, IIRC, even part of the "customer orientation" when I bought the bike.
To be sure, the Harley Softail speedos DID change in '91, and had the reed switch added for the turn signal cancellers. That can be verified by checking the parts manuals for the appropriate years.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Aug 19, 2010 at 05:06 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: KY
As I said, H-D has had self canceling signals since '91 across the board. I'm not familiar with Texas law, or how far back that particular provison might go. I can only attest to my own 22 year experience with Harley-Davidson.
As I said, my '89 Sporty most assuredly had to have the button held in for the signals to work. I bought the bike new, and the dealer explained that this was, indeed, normal. It was, IIRC, even part of the "customer orientation" when I bought the bike.
To be sure, the Harley Softail speedos DID change in '91, and had the reed switch added for the turn signal cancellers. That can be verified by checking the parts manuals for the appropriate years.
As I said, my '89 Sporty most assuredly had to have the button held in for the signals to work. I bought the bike new, and the dealer explained that this was, indeed, normal. It was, IIRC, even part of the "customer orientation" when I bought the bike.
To be sure, the Harley Softail speedos DID change in '91, and had the reed switch added for the turn signal cancellers. That can be verified by checking the parts manuals for the appropriate years.
Last edited by JerryL....; Aug 19, 2010 at 06:44 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
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From: Arkansas
My 84 didn't have self canceling and you had to hold it. Personally I liked it that way but I was pretty good at multi tasking back then. Not so much now. That having been said......If the bike is still pretty much stock I'd just leave it as is.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
There is nothing wrong with your signals. That is the way they were designed and made back then. Personally, I always liked them that way. I used to laugh at riders of other brands going down the road with their turn signal flashing, seemingly forever. Once you get used to them you will appreciate them. There is no need to hold them on throughout a turn or after you have made a lane change. They are to signal a turn, not keep signalling after you are into the turn. They are legal in Texas.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
No they haven't, Uncle G(unless they made a switch mid year, and I have the before the switch model). My 91 Heritage has never had self canceling turn signals. They stay on when you push the button, but you also have to push it again to turn them off. Feel free to show me where my 91 has "self canceling" signals.
Have you owned your '91 since new? has the speedo been replaced with an earlier or aftermarket model? Has a previous owner tampered with the turn signal canceller? The '91-'95 OEM speedo will have three electrical wires-two orange wires for the lamps, and a black wire to the turn signal module. If the black wire is disconnected or bypassed, the turn signals will work just like you describe.
I was never a big fan of the turn signal canceller, as it always seemed to turn the blinkers off before I reached the turn, so I really don't miss it (except when I forget to turn them off, and look like an old geezer driving for miles with the turn signal blinking).
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: KY
That's strange, because the Softail speedo with the reed switch has a "-91" suffix, meaning a 1991 introduction. I suppose it's possible that it was phased in during '91, and that all '91s might not have had it. I know some of this because I always wanted an "old" style speedo for my '94, and waited 10 years for someone to make a '62 style speedo with the '91-'95 style reed switch, but noone ever did. I finally gave in and installed the '62 style speedo without the reed switch, and now my turn signals work just like yours. You push to turn them on, and push again to turn them off.
Have you owned your '91 since new? has the speedo been replaced with an earlier or aftermarket model? Has a previous owner tampered with the turn signal canceller? The '91-'95 OEM speedo will have three electrical wires-two orange wires for the lamps, and a black wire to the turn signal module. If the black wire is disconnected or bypassed, the turn signals will work just like you describe.
I was never a big fan of the turn signal canceller, as it always seemed to turn the blinkers off before I reached the turn, so I really don't miss it (except when I forget to turn them off, and look like an old geezer driving for miles with the turn signal blinking).
Have you owned your '91 since new? has the speedo been replaced with an earlier or aftermarket model? Has a previous owner tampered with the turn signal canceller? The '91-'95 OEM speedo will have three electrical wires-two orange wires for the lamps, and a black wire to the turn signal module. If the black wire is disconnected or bypassed, the turn signals will work just like you describe.
I was never a big fan of the turn signal canceller, as it always seemed to turn the blinkers off before I reached the turn, so I really don't miss it (except when I forget to turn them off, and look like an old geezer driving for miles with the turn signal blinking).
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: South of the tunnel Lancaster Co. PA.
The turn signal button on my '83 & '89 both had to be held on for the turn signal to flash. Thats why I removed them from both bikes and just used hand signals.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 866
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From: Houston, TX
I was wrong, sort of.
According to 49 CFR 571:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...cfr571.108.htm
They must self cancel. No mention is made of motorcycles (that I could find). Turn signals are very well defined. It could be implied by the language that "hold down to signal" would not be allowed.
Here is what I remembered about self cancel/stay on:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go
But this doesn't apply to motorcycles.
In Texas, signals are not an item of inspection (so I suppose they aren't required).
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...classsubmit=Go
This says they are required after 1975:
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/l...t.asp?state=TX
But I can't find where they got the information.
This makes no mention of turn signals required:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.u...47.htm#547.801
Sorry for the thread-jack.
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From: Danbury CT