Turn signals

[Anonymous]

I finally got the newly cleaned carbs back in my 1982 GS650 and took the bike out for a ride. Once I had tweaked the idle down to 1250, it ran great. This bike had been in someone's garage for the past 7 years or so, so I knew it would take a bit of work to get going but it all feels worth it now.

The only things that aren't working are the horn and the turn signals. The horn has been removed from the bike so I am going to try to get one in a junkyard. (I am a new rider, so I figure the more safety stuff the better). The turn signals are where I need some help:

Where would I start to look for what is wrong? The fuses are fine, as are the bulbs. I took the turn signal switch apart and tried just hot wiring terminals randomly in an effort to get the turn signals to even turn on once.(It does not help that the colors of the wires running into the switch do not correspond to the colors in my Clymer wiring guide.)

Is there a flasher unit somewhere I could check? Is there anything else that springs to mind? I need ideas. the only thing I know less about than motorcycles in this world is electricity.

Anway, if anyone has any ideas about it, I would love to hear them. In the meantime, I am just happy the bike ran so well. Woohoo! Socal, year round motorcycling!

Slamtry

[argonsagas]

You actually got that switch apart, and then put it back together again?

I am impressed!

Usually pieces of it disappear, and unless you know Peter Pan personally, they are forever lost in Never-Never Land.


Back to your problem. Yes there is a flasher unit, and that is the most likely source of your problem.

Other problem is, I don't know where it is on your bike. (On my GS1100, it is under the side cover, right side)

Please be patient....someone will be along shortly to give you exactly what you need to know.


When you install a replacement flasher unit make sure the contacts on the flasher unit are clean and shiny....sand them if they are not..... then spray a bit of white grease into the connector.

(Yeah, yeah, I know it should be specialized dielectric grease, and standard white grease is not recommended.....
If you have the proper stuff OK, otherwise, just DO IT!)

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention: can anyone let me know the Suzuki part number for the turn signal flasher unit? My bike is an 82 GS650G (although I bet they all use the same unit across the range even if not from year to year).

And is this the same as the part that people keep referring to as a "module" and which costs several hundred dollars? I guess I will have to hope not.

[argonsagas]

No, it isn't the same.

It is just a flasher unit, but there are differences between them, so if you can find a friendly auto parts person who is willing to chase down the right part number, you might be able to replace it with a standard car-type flahser unit for much less than Suzuki prices.

[Billy Ricks]

A standard two prong automotive flasher unit is all you need. Should be mounted somewhere near your battery probably to the right of it.

[Anonymous]

Turn signals continued

I put in a new (okay, old and from a junkyard) flasher unit and now I have turn signals, sort of. They operate at weird speeds and the horn is on any time the ignition is on, but at least the turn signals work. What I need now is a turn signal switch to hopefully fix the problems mentioned above. Sooo, does anyone out there have a turn signal switch for an 1982 GS650G? Or from any closely comparable bike?
Slamtry

[Jay B]

Take the turn signal switch and horn switch and head for the salvage yard. Find any old Suzuki and start comparing the 2. Also you could go to www.bikebandit.com and compare part numbers to see what other bikes have the same parts.

[Anonymous]

A lot of handlebar switches off any 70s or 80s Jap motorcycle will probably replace the one you have. I noticed that my 82 Honda's signal switch doesn't differ much from my 79 Suzuki. the only major dif is that the Suzuki had an on off for the lights that 80's model bikes don't have. You should be able to get the whole setup at any cycle junk yard. I replaced missing switch thumb knobs with some off an old Yamaha and they were the same.

[Anonymous]

horn? what's a horn?

ok, i must sound bad. i have a 77 that rarely runs and goes simultaneously. and yet we can't bear to put her up for sale. it's like finally deciding to put mom in a home or something.

[Anonymous]

horn? what's a horn?

You know what a horn is!! For goodness sakes it's that button you hit that makes noise when you forget it's not the starter button! :roll:

[redliner1973]

if the turn signals flash at different speeds, try checking the bulbs. If on eis burned out it either will not flash at all, or flash very fast in relation to the other one. :twisted: