A buddy just got a 1988 Heritage. He has to press and hold the turn signal buttons to keep the signals on and flashing. My only HD so far is a 2006 and has the self cancelling signals, so holding the button seems wrong. Anyone know if that's how they are supposed to be?

 

found this in another forum..

\\Had to do a little research on this one... Self-cancelling turn signals came out in 1989, but only on the FLT's. All the other Big Twins got them in 1990, and they weren't put on the Sportys until 1991 model year........ Harley did, however, have a set of "locking" turn signal switches on a couple of the 1987 and/or 88 Big Twin models (FXRT and a couple Dresser models I think). They would "lock" on until you depressed them again, but it was kind of a pain, because if you didn't remember to shut them back off, they would stay on forever! I guess the MoCo didn't think it would catch on, cause they were gone the next year.....or maybe because they came out with the self-cancelling style.......



from a google search below..

https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&...ls+on+a+Harley

 

Like said, to old for self cancelers.

 

Ahhh, my first Harley... a black and cream '88 Heritage. Congrats on your buddy's recent acquisition. His turn signals operate as designed.

 

I had an 86 FXR and it was just the opposite, once activated the turn signal stayed on until
it was manually deactivated (press button it came on, press again it went off).

 

This is correct. The op's buddy's lights are not working properly. When working properly, you should not have to hold the switch, to make the turn-signals flash.

"Self-canceling" means that you have to physically turn the blinkers on AND off. They will not automatically stop blinking, on their own when you straighten the bike/bars back out.

 

Wrong, "Self Cancelling" means they turn themselves off.

 

Your buddy,s turns works as they should. If Im not mistaken the aftermarket sells a plug and play kit to make then self cancel. I think Badlands is one such source. My 87 Heritage has the same hold the button down to activate the turn signals, but its doable.