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Author Topic: Turn signal switch  (Read 1355 times)

Offline wilcom

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Turn signal switch
« on: August 07, 2014, 10:55:39 PM »
After pulling my bike out of mothballs (over a year) I'm back on the road at my new location.

The  turn signal switch has died during it's vacation. It appears that I can get a new one for $105 , so I won't be disassembling  it in a plastic bag for tedious hours..........but......... the position the switch is in makes it almost useless. I have to go almost underneath the switch to get to it and it's most inconvenient. I can't rotate the lever up any more as it would hit the fairing

 Is there any  switch gear that is more ergonomically friendly? later model , different model??
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA

Present:
1984 BMW R65LS "Herr Head"
past:
1982 BMW R65LS
1979 R65
1980 R65
1982 R80RT
1974 R90/6
1972 R75
1964 R50/2
19xx R27
ZX-11

Offline wilcom

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Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2014, 11:42:17 PM »
here is a better shot of the switch..... the turn signal switch is way under there and hard to get to.   I might even go for a add on toggle on top any ideas?
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA

Present:
1984 BMW R65LS "Herr Head"
past:
1982 BMW R65LS
1979 R65
1980 R65
1982 R80RT
1974 R90/6
1972 R75
1964 R50/2
19xx R27
ZX-11

Offline Barry

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Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2014, 06:57:38 AM »
I know you say it won't turn any further but something may be amiss as that doesn't look like the normal angle for the clutch lever. For maximum comfort and efficiency the lever should point downwards in a line with your arm which brings the turn switch into a better if not perfect position.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2014, 07:00:07 AM by bhodgson »
Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45

Offline Luca

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  • Posts: 27
  • Taking my time as quick as I can
Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2014, 08:08:11 AM »
The bars are too low for him to rotate the controls any further.  Slightly taller bars should give the clearance needed to get the controls back into a more user-friendly position.

Classic K bikes have a paddle/button on each side for left/right signals and a separate turn signal cancel (they also have some auto cancelling computer).  Could be a lot of work to go to K controls, but maybe you can find somebody on the internet whose retrofitted K controls to an airhead.
'82 R65LS
'01 K1200RS

Offline wilcom

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  • Posts: 1500
Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2014, 05:54:03 PM »
Quote
something may be amiss as that doesn't look like the normal angle for the clutch lever

That's why I love this place! I have had that fairing on there a long time and it has become "normal" to me. You take one look and see where the control is screwed up , good eye Luca.

I can't rotate the control without the lever hitting the fairing, BUT I can move the fairing DOWN (hopefully) and it will allow me to rotate the control back to where it is supposed to be.

 Thanks Luca!
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA

Present:
1984 BMW R65LS "Herr Head"
past:
1982 BMW R65LS
1979 R65
1980 R65
1982 R80RT
1974 R90/6
1972 R75
1964 R50/2
19xx R27
ZX-11

Offline MrRiden

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  • Posts: 1291
  • R65LS Phoenix, Arizona
Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2014, 08:41:54 PM »
I'm with Luca in that the bars need a little more rise for good clearance. Add on risers are almost out of the question due to the dash cover. You might find something from Flanders that offers just a touch more clearance and you might even get away without making any cable changes, depending on how much slack you have to work with.
http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportHandlebarsBMW.html
"We can't stop here. This is bat country".

Offline montmil

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Re: Turn signal switch
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2014, 07:56:53 AM »
Flanders certainly offers a wide selection of handlebars for BMW motorcycles. I'm currently saving up my aluminum so I can purchase a new pair for my R100S.

Keep in mind the required 22mm diameter of the BMW handlebars. Any bar with a larger o.d. -and there's a lot available- can crack and/or destroy the OEM switch/lever perch assemblies as they are being tightened down.
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet