Triumphrat

RumRunner

OK so I when I bought my Thruxton (back in 09) she had these little turn signals on her. Well over the years I got tired of fighting with the bulbs breaking and what not so I noticed that British Customs offers them I figured I'd buy a new set. I decided to go with the smoked lenses to clean up the look, and had them special order in 3-wire lights so I had the option of using them as both a running lights and turn signal. So I've had them on the bike about 6 months now. In that time I've already had 3 of the four of turn signals fail. The socket (housing that holds the bulb) breaks allowing the light to wiggle around enough to not only break the bulb but rip the wires out of it.

So I contact BC and the reply is that they're going to have the company private label them (ie put BC's name on them) so if I buy another set they'll have a better warranty. Not the customer service or answer I had expected.

I'm sure I'll buy another set or modify a set, but it won't be from British Customs

MostChillin

Sorry to hear about your experience with BC. I've just started dealing with them and they've been great. I would be highly disappointed if I received the response that you did...

Have you considered LED signals? I feel that they are a much better option than bulb signals. All of that being said, I'm less than impressed with any of the turn signals that any of the Triumph vendors offer -- BC included. That's the beauty of a part like signals as they tend to be universal. For example, I just ordered these:

http://www.motosport.com/DMP-TURN-SI...VAL-BLACKCLEAR

If you go to any of the large motorcycle online retailers, you'll have plenty of choices to say the least.

I know this doesn't help your situation with BC but in the event that you decide to replace, there are plenty of options outside of the known vendors. Good luck!

RumRunner

I have thought about going the LED route, honestly what I had on the bike was working fine after I had rewired them the only reason I really decided to buy new ones was so that I'd have the same bulb in my turn signals as my rear taillight so I could carry one spare. The problem at this point is that I truly do like the "look" of what I have (Granted I'll probably PC the old housings black at some point) I might see if I can find some LED lights that have a similar shape that I can remove the internals and put in to my housings. I can honestly say that if their (BC's) website had marked NO WARRANTY on these turn signals I wouldn't have purchased them.

68T120R

I installed LockHart Phillips directionals that I purchased from British Customs when I relocated my turn signals getting rid of the dorky stock set up. That was 2 years ago and my bulbs are still working fine. I'm curious if the filament is burning out from use or perhaps the filaments are breaking under stress from riding...vibration, road shock? And yes, I do use my directionals but I have not had any issues to date. Regarding British Customs customer service, I have never had an issue in the 2 years that I have dealt with them...I suppose they aren't perfect all the time. I know I'm not...just sayin.

Bob

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2010 Jet Black T100, BC Sleepers, BC Air Box Elimination, BC Air Injection Removal, Triumph Mapping, Hagon Classic Shocks, Hagon Progressive Fork Springs, CRG LS Bar End Mirrors, LHP Directional Relocate, Lucas Tail Light, Triumph Centre Stand

Verde

This is a very good point. I've noticed this on some tail lights where vibration is a problem. The running light filament is always the one to go, perhaps because it's always on and/or it has longer connecting wires than the brake light filament has.

I run these in all my bikes now. Must be paired with a red lens.


Only reason I'll have incandescent blinkers on a bike is a supper cheap way to have them for show-and-tell in order to avoid a fix it ticket. I run red LED blinkers in the back on my triumph so that they can be used as additional running/brake lights.

RumRunner

Nope definitely not the filament. There is a tab on the base of the holder (housing that holds the bulb) that uses a screw to mount the holder in the housing. This tab breaks first. Once this tab brakes the holder can wiggle which allows the bulb to break apart. Once this happens it wiggles enough to actually detach the wires from the back of the holder.

G.Aldridge

I fixed mine with plumber's strapping last fall. I ride every day.
So far, so good. Also, I used o-rings to isolate them from vibration.

RumRunner

Yup those look like them. I've now gone through multiple sets. I should have just left the ones on I had modified but I wanted to "upgrade" so all of the lights on my bike used the same bulb to be safe and carry one spare. I must go through more vibration than most with where and how I ride, although I've spoken with a number of guys that have had the same problem.

road dog

Sorry I deleted that post after 1) I realized they (BC) actually sells several different lights w/ clear lenses, and 2) I realized who's good looking Bonneville that was in the pic. Oh well... here's the pic (again).

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open1mind

I have had the same issues described with identical lights from BC. Just bit disturbed that they continue to sell them with this known Problem and a warranty disclaimer on their we page! Has anyone actually found a good non-led replacement? Everyone that I have found looks like the same poor quality!