Me again, turn signals?

[Bearjew]

Hi everybody I am back. I need to probably start a project thread then I can stop bouncing around. I will have to look into where to start that. Anyway, after getting my starter issue fixed I am moving on to the next step. So I have a gs1100gk and the previous owner removed all the fairing, bags etc.
I hadn't noticed but the previous owner never hooked up any new turn signals. I am going to look for the wiring this weekend but in the mean time I was wondering if I need any special signals. I would like to ad them aND was wondering what I should be looking for. Maybe some of you already have found some good ones that work for you. I read in some other threads it can get pretty technical. I would like to just ad some custom ones but I don't know that it will be that easy. I see a lot of options but I don't know that a simple order and plug in will work because of the model I have.

Any advice before I dive in will be appreciated and utilized. I am just learning but really enjoying the gs model I picked up.

[hillsy]

As far as wiring goes, all turn signals are the same in that they have 2 wires. You can get some crimp terminals to change whatever connectors your chosen indicators come with so that part is not hard.

If you get LED or low wattage bulb indicators your flasher relay may not work. You can get an LED relay for a few bucks at an auto store.

[Bearjew]

Thanks Hillsy. I was thinking of picking up something like these

https://www.amazon.com/Krator%C2%AE-Universal-Motorcycle-Kawasaki-Choppers/dp/B00CX7KXLE/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471510795&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=gs1100gk+turn+signals

And what you are saying is that Some like these

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Indicator-Kawasaki-Davidson/dp/B00IBG2C9W/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471510795&sr=8-2-fkmr1&keywords=gs1100gk+turn+signals

Or these

https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Indicator-Blinker-Universal-Motorcycle/dp/B00HH3JWOS/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1471510795&sr=8-4-fkmr1&keywords=gs1100gk+turn+signals

May not work.

I am going to go in and see if I can locate the turn signal wires. Hopefully the PO just tucked them away in a nice neat little spot to await my finding. I will post pictures and updates as I have them. Thanks again.

[Steve]

When you look for signals, just about anything will work, but using anything except standard incandescent bulbs will require some adapting.

The stock flasher unit is a thermal unit and needs to see the current load of incandescent bulbs. If you install smaller bulbs or LEDs, yes, you can install an electronic flasher, but you will give up your auto-cancel feature. If you wish to retain your auto-cancel, you will have to make and install an adapter so you can use the electronic flasher. If the auto-cancel feature does not matter, just install the electronic flasher, but you will still have to adapt the wiring for that.

Let us know which way you want to go, we can provide details on what adaptations you will need.

.

[dorkburger]

Regarding the 2 wire signals. Not sure of the GK, but my 85 1150 has 3 wire signals for the fronts for running lights. The GK with its (originally) fairing mounted signals may be different all together. Im not knowledgeable on those though.

[Who Dat?]

Some of the super cheap aftermarket turn signals are not very bright.

One might say the same thing about owners that install them, too.

[Bearjew]

Ok, update

Got out tonight rode it and then took it apart lol. First I found the front turn signal wires. There is a plug with numerous wires. I guess the ones I need are in that plug group. Sorry again for the inverted pictures.

[Bearjew]

Then the rear.

I got the back removed and found that there were also more wires, green and black and two blacks. I guess these are the rear turns. So that is good too. I found out tonight that I should also get new shocks. These I believe are shot. The fender has tire marks where the fender hits on bumps which I also felt tonight

[Bearjew]

And...

I found that I possibly need a seal. I noticed a day or two ago that there had been some oil on the engine. After riding today I saw why. The left side (kickstand side) had some fresh oil pooling. It was under the chrome circle in the picture. I don't believe it is an engine seal but coming out from around the chrome end cap. As can be seen in the pictures the left side is dry.

[Bearjew]

Another

Another view

[Bearjew]

This side looks clean

Other side. I am going to try to go check out lights this weekend Steve I would like to keep standard bulbs. I think I can hide them well enough to not worry with losing visual appeal but keep the brightness of original bulbs.

[dorkburger]

Got out tonight rode it and then took it apart lol. First I found the front turn signal wires. There is a plug with numerous wires. I guess the ones I need are in that plug group. Sorry again for the inverted pictures.

You may be correct, and i suspect some rewiring may be in your future. The GK had signals mounted on the fairing, so the pictured plugs may have gone up into the fairing. It may be a good time to try to locate a wiring diagram. Botching up the electrics will only cause headaches down the road.

[hillsy]

You have a leaking valve cover gasket....or the cam end half moon rubbers are leaking (they are under the chrome caps). Either way you need to remove the cover. You could probably get away with some sealant on the rubbers, but you will most likely break the gasket so you'll need a new one of those.

Be careful taking out the bolts that hold the cover - if they feel like they do not want to come out easily get a flat round punch and hit them on the heads (with a hammer on the punch) to help break the seal.

Otherwise, your next questions here will be about Helicoils.....

[Steve]

The wires that you need to concern yourself with are:
Light green is RIGHT turn signal
Solid black is LEFT turn signal
Black with white stripe is ground

If the front signals that you install have a 'running light' feature, that would be powered by a brown or gray wire at the front. Not sure about the GK, but other G bikes have double bullets on the wire so you can simply plug both lights in in the headlight bucket. However, the GK did not have a headlight bucket that close, so I don't know how they were wired.

.

[Bearjew]

I will try some sealer on the half moon rubber. See if that works. If not I will move on to the gasket.