Triumphrat

Ultrarepo · 11-29-2012, 04:20 PM

I'm thinking ahead to the wiring on my T100 rebuild and toying with the idea of fitting indicators, simply for safety. In my experience of riding (non-indicator) scooters, taking your hand off the throttle to indicate with your hand isn't fun, particularly on a motorway...

Although later iterations of my bike were fitted with indicators, they look pretty ugly and I was wandering if there were any after market alternatives that would look "period" be relatively discreet but still effective. Is this expecting too much?

I'm sure other have been down this road: any advice?

Snakeoil · 11-29-2012, 05:52 PM

They are pricey, but if you can find a set of early Honda winkers, they are gorgeous little gems. Cast and polished aluminum housings, small rectangular lenses and would look correct and unobtrusive on a Triumph.

Another possibility is to mount something to the licenseplate bracket if that is allowed. That is what I did on a modern Harley when I cleaned up the bikes lines.

You are right that the directionals on OIF bikes look terrible, but I'm not sure your average noodnik even notices them. Only Triumph-philes do.

So, check out the small aftermarket directionals available from outfits like J&P cycles and on-line vendors. There are all kinds of shapes and sizes available. You could even run a row of LEDs on each side of your license plate that nobody would notice except when they were flashing.

I don't think front directional buy you much protection. Your eyes handle the risks in front of you. So if you can do it legally, maybe you just skip front directionals. If you must have them, they are making mirrors with directionals mounted right in them now. Can hide them much better than that.

regards,
Rob

Morris the Cat · 11-29-2012, 06:39 PM

Some words that should be banned from Triumph lexicon:

Quote:

scooters

Quote:

winkers,

. . . also, Trumpets!
Hooters would be ok 

Regarding turn signals, the old fashioned 'bullets' always look good IMHO.

Agree about safety and would recommend mirrors on both sides also.

Here's mine:

The central bullet is an old one with glass lense- the bulb is orange and is wired into the existing 'pilot' light connection.

I ride with pilot and headlamps on, the orange pilot helps visibility when using turn signals (?).

The original long stalks are super ugly as original.
Mine came without- had to go Barn Picking to find these!

394c · 11-30-2012, 10:55 AM

In todays traffic I think indicators are a must.

There are a wealth of aftermarket indicators on the market, but beware of the quality as some are worse than useless.
The style is probably a matter of personal preference, worth having a look round at other bikes to see what you like. Fitment should be fairly easy, the front one should bolt into the headlight ears (just drill a couple of holes) and the rear ones can be fitted to a bracket that fits behind the number plate (either make your own or there are some available from accessory stores).

I have gone with Oberon LED units on both my Triumph and BSA. They are expensive but are good quality and can be fitted positive or negative earth. They are also fairly unobtrusive.
I have also added some LED running lights to the front of the BSA for extra visibility without having to run the main headlight. Will be fitting a set to the Triumph over the winter

Ultrarepo · 11-30-2012, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the very helpful responses

Snakeoil - I think only one set of indicators would be suspect legally in the UK

394c - those Oberon units look fantastic - I've just googled them. £120 is a lot but they look a good cut above everything else that I have seen

Morris - I like the central lamp: nice

Supplementary question - I need a new loom anyway, would I be best getting a later one which is indicator ready? The alternative would be something like this from VWP - bottom of the page:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...indicators.php

DAVE M · 11-30-2012, 12:06 PM

my T140E came with indicators but I changed them early on with ones from Custom Fasteners in Wales.

The original replacements went rusty over the years and I replaced them again a couple of years ago- again from Custom Fasteners. I used bullet lights and all I needed to do was replace the bulbs to the correct wattage. they're roughly £10 each.
http://www.custom-fasteners.co.uk/ac...er_Lights.html

mine have "bases" but they now do them with stems

http://www.custom-fasteners.co.uk/ac...ndicators.html
Paul Goff does a range of indicators and one type is a handlebar mounted flasher that's double sided-it fits in the end of the bar.

redhawk4 · 11-30-2012, 10:18 PM

There are quite a few kits around designed to make dirt bikes road legal that come with all the parts including handle bar switches etc. probably not period looking though. There are also lots of different aftermarket small ones on ebay, some cheap and cheerful others better quality, some of the chrome finish ones are actually quite nice and while being smaller than originals and less obvious on the bike they are very bright and work well in practice. You can get replicas of the originals for the 70's bikes I believe and then you could always get the appropriate handlebar switchgear if you are looking for a sort of OEM, look as opposed to the many custom options out there. LED types might be good, using a lot less current than the old type if charging output is an issue with lights on etc. on an older machine.

I would certainly not want to ride without turn signals/indicators/winkers what ever you want to call them, in today's busy and fast moving traffic you don't really have time for the luxury of taking hands of the controls etc. if you let go of the throttle at lower around town speeds the engine slows you pretty quickly and you stand a good chance of someone running into the back of you. Also after dark it makes a huge difference. Better to flick a switch and have all your hands on the controls as you never know who will be the next idiot trying to kill you. Do most people even understand hand signals now like the turning right done with your left hand as done in the cars of old?

As for the Sc**ter word, I coudn't agree more on the use of such language. I have heard that they are like fat girls, fun until your friends catch you riding one, but other than that there are no words to adequately describe the contempt I hold them in - even saw a guy on one the other day who had fitted forward highway pegs - still struggling to remove the image from my mind