So I am having some issues with a bike that has been at the shop for over a month now. It seems like a simple issue that unfortunately has some sort of gremlin that is vexing the shop, and frankly me too.

Quick background. The bike is '96 Sporty, I had the front turn signals removed and a badlands load equalizer (run/brake/turn) put in. The shop rewired my rear turn signals into RBT lights. Went to the shop and picked up the bike, turned the key to get power (but did not start it, mistake #1), I tested the turn signals and they worked fine. I started the bike and off I went, as soon as I hit the turn signal indicator the indicator panel sarted to blink and the trn signals flicked on and off like crazy, out of sync, always on just with varying light intensity. I rode the bike one more time and it promptly died when I parked it, I had to push start it to get it home, and push start it to get it to the shop.

At the shop I explained the issues and they said the bike not starting was unrelated to the electrical work they had done, lo and behold they found out that the wiring work was messed up, someone at the shop routed the wires so one wire was crimped and they said it was shorting out the bike. they said they fixed it and the RTB lights were working too...

Before I even pick up my bike they say sorry the lights are actually not working and the problem is my turn signal module is dying and that is what caused the problem, so I need to pay for the new module and the labor.

They get a new turn signal module put in and I get a call saying the RTB lights still don't work but it is "somewhat better", I'm not an electrician but I know lights either work, or don't work, in my mind somewhat better means they don't work.

Now they say my old turn signal somehow affected the load equalizer which caused the prolem and they are ordering a new load equalizer.

I asked them just to but the bike back the way it was and they said they can't.

It's been well over a month, anyone have any ideas what could be the cause, and is the shop grasping at straws? It's a good independant shop and I have always been satisfied with their service until now.

 

Are you using the stock taillight/brakelight as well as the rear turn signals? Or just the two turn signals? Is you year bike even capable of using the RBT system? Can you use dual filament bulbs and sockets instead, ala your front signals?

John

 

Not sure what the new set up/badlands load equalizer (run/brake/turn) system looks like.......But you could have just bought the new rear turn signals in whatever style you liked but with three wires, reconnected the black & purple wires to the original locations and then tied in the blue wire into the running light blue wire on the brake light......That's what I did when I swithced my signals over to the smaller bullet signals, & now my rear signals also act as running lights.

 

So you have Run and Turn, but not Brake? Sounds like a good compromise without having to rewire extensively.

I kind of like just the single taillight, even have the side blackout red lens. I don't think you can buy them anymore. That with smoked turn signals looks pretty discrete. Of course, if visibility is a bigger concern.

John