Signal lights not working

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 1, 2019 | 07:48 PM

klunker

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: Saskatchewan

Signal lights not working

Have a 1981 FLH that I recently bought. Do you have to continuously hold the signal light button on when making a turn? If I push button and let go, signals don’t flash. If I hold in continuously, then they flash slowly, and quit when I let go. Put in new signal stat, but no difference. 4 ways work great and flash fast. New to shovelheads.
Thanks

Jan 1, 2019 | 08:08 PM

RHPAW

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 21,736

Likes: 17,577

From: Driftless Area

That's how they work. Self-cancel came later.

Jan 1, 2019 | 08:41 PM

98hotrodfatboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 21,116

Likes: 7,640

From: Poolville

They make 2 different flashers, one for 4 way and one for directionals... well at least in cars they did. It's all about the load... You can try a new one. my parts manual has it as 68543-64b.

Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Jan 1, 2019 at 08:48 PM.

Jan 1, 2019 | 09:04 PM

Racepres

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 8,608

Likes: 3,375

From: Cental, MI

Been holding the button for 40 years!!!
I have a hard time with new bikes... damn things are in business for themselves!!!!

Jan 1, 2019 | 10:06 PM

johnjzjz

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 12,878

Likes: 5,449

From: la la land jerzey

they do sell a timer that converts it to what the bikes do now and that is self cancel in 15 seconds or so

Jan 2, 2019 | 02:01 PM

1981 suprglide

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 874

Likes: 159

From: FLORIDA

yeah that's the way they work didn't start the automatic signals until 1982

Jan 2, 2019 | 04:17 PM

old mago

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 2,597

Likes: 2,172

From: australia

yeah it takes some getting used to.....first find button, then hold down button... use front brake while making a right hand turn and keeping finger on button.....change down , keep finger on button....tight roundabout up a head, use back brake, find and hold down button............ helps keep me brain activce thats for sure !!!!!!

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Jan 3, 2019 | 02:41 PM

john lee

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 2,172

Likes: 435

From: australia

they would be better jap style on -off switches

Jan 3, 2019 | 05:55 PM

#10

Racepres

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 8,608

Likes: 3,375

From: Cental, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by john lee

they would be better jap style on -off switches

Not in my book.... we like what we're used to...So.... No thanks... I would remove newfangled ones and go back to the post '82 style, because gettin older I think the '73 thru '81 switches seem to be shrinking!!!