The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: rob650 on September 16, 2007, 08:47:48 PM

Title: floppy turnsignals
Post by: rob650 on September 16, 2007, 08:47:48 PM
hmm sounds like some kinda personal problem....

all my turnsignal pods(?) have up and down rotation play to them , some almost 2 inches of travel.  I've opened them up and can't figure how to "tighten" them back down...  Anybody else had this happen?  I'm sure the bike has been dropped a few times in its life and knocked them loose.  Thanks.  
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Bob_Roller on September 16, 2007, 08:55:44 PM
If you remove the lens, then the reflector assembly, there are 2 screws that hold down a metal clamp that secures the black plastic housing to the metal tube.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Justin B. on September 16, 2007, 09:01:07 PM
Also, sometimes the little sheet-metal clamp deforms so you may need to take it out and bend some "tension" back into it...
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: NC Steve on September 16, 2007, 10:29:55 PM
It also helps to wrap a layer or 2 of black electrical tape around the stalk where it slides into the signal body.

"Fattens" things up a bit, and you can't see it inside the blinker housing.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 17, 2007, 06:49:31 PM
I have also found that not only do the silver metal pieces that have the tang on them (inside the T.S.) get deformed, but the matching groove that they slide into on the stalk diameter can get wider.

I think I like the electrical tape idea the best.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: airhead on September 17, 2007, 06:58:58 PM
You could apply some Zen to your motorcycle maintenance and cut a sliver of shim material from a beer can to fit in there!!!

Bill...................;-)
(with apologies to Guru Persig)
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Justin B. on September 17, 2007, 07:08:23 PM
Surely, Bill, you don't advocate using a "beer-can" shim on a BMW!!??  ;)

I have found that the tape is a quick and not long-lived fix so I always try to put more "grab" into the clamping mechanism...  Now, maybe some of that stainless steel metal tape might do the trick, or a shim...  :P
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: thrang on September 17, 2007, 07:31:28 PM
A beer can shim is an integral part of any quality bodge...
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Justin B. on September 17, 2007, 07:55:09 PM
It was also a "fix" that horrified a BMW owner in "Zen and the Art...", if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Bob_Roller on September 17, 2007, 08:03:27 PM
As long as it's a Beck's or Heineken beer can it's acceptable.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Semper Gumby on September 17, 2007, 10:45:51 PM
Actually - Thanks for the idea!  I need to shim the levers on the Firebird.   [smiley=beerchug.gif]
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Paul on September 18, 2007, 11:19:07 AM
Except, Heineken is from Holland.

Paul
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: nhmaf on September 19, 2007, 08:29:57 PM
I've got a turnsignal that always seems to start drooping on Tillie after 40-50 miles -
I usually drink beer in bottles, but since they don't make very good shims I'll have to
pick up something else on the way home this week... ::)
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Ed Miller on September 19, 2007, 10:35:47 PM
I've been finding Pilsner Urquel in cans lately.  Much better than in their green glass bottles, as the beer in them always tastes as though it's been exposed to light.  That's Czech beer, though, not German.  Very good pilsner, for when I don't want IPA.  In fact, the bulk of my annual home brew production and consumption is an attempt to copy P. Urquel.

Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: airhead on September 20, 2007, 06:36:40 AM
Quote
I've been finding Pilsner Urquel in cans lately.  Much better than in their green glass bottles, as the beer in them always tastes as though it's been exposed to light.  That's Czech beer, though, not German.  Very good pilsner, for when I don't want IPA.  In fact, the bulk of my annual home brew production and consumption is an attempt to copy P. Urquel.



But Ed, surely with a name like Miller......................................!!

Bill..................;-)
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Ed Miller on September 20, 2007, 12:22:17 PM
Ohhh!  Bill's pretty brave from 5,000 miles away!    ;D

Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: billygoat on September 20, 2007, 11:19:21 PM
 My right rear turn light housing is loose as you described. I have been taking it apart and squeezing the slot more closed but this never really works. The metal clamp pulls the housing snug against the bracket-pipe using two plastic supports inside the housing that push against the pipe. One support can slip off of the end of the bracket (pipe) if the slot isn't long enough. To extend the slot I got out my dremel tool with a diamond cutting wheel (Harbor tools) and made two horizontal cuts. I used a flat screwdriver shoved in the pipe to protect the wires. Then turned the dremel horizontal to cut a vertical line. I broke the tab with pliers and cleaned it up with with a file. The housing slides on further and does not wobble as much. You may want to remove the bracket and measure but I didn't. Sorry for not having pics, I need to find my camera.
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: airhead on September 21, 2007, 05:03:36 AM
Quote
Ohhh!  Bill's pretty brave from 5,000 miles away!    ;D



Well actually, without being pedantic, the distance between Fremantle, Western Australia and Falls City, Oregon is precisely 9190 miles, or 14789 Km, so I can afford to be brave. Though if you find yourself over this way we can discuss it over a local brew!!

BTW, love the Miller ads, never tried the beer!

Bill......................;-)
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Semper Gumby on September 24, 2007, 08:46:57 PM
WOOHOO ADBT!    ;D

looks like this thread is heading to the Rant section of doom!

(PSSST...Miller Beer + clear glass bottle = crappy taste)
Title: Re: floppy turnsignals
Post by: Ed Miller on September 24, 2007, 09:35:23 PM
Well, clear glass bottle and light, yeah.  But it does come in cans, which for all the scorn purists may yet heap upon them, do prevent light from damaging the flavor.

I was going to let the thread die because I was so humbled by Bill's correction of my geography.  Besides, I doubt I could ever stare down a guy with a glass BMW emblem adorned eye.   ;D  I'd be buying lots of rounds.