turn signal control box GS1000

[metalman]

Well there's always more than one way to skin a cat. Once you have the bike for a bit and become more comfortable with the electrical you'll have to clean all that up. For now rid the snot out of it. Keep an eye out for a new wiring harness for you bike, on here or ebay or craigslist and just shove it in a box for when you're ready.

Yeah never been known as being conventional. Would love to be riding the snot out of it but its pretty cold here right now. Plus theres plenty more work to be done to it, Valves, rear chain and sprockets, rear tire, solder silver solder repair of tank and cosmetics paint etc. Also it came with a double fatt butt seat that gave me severe muscle cramps within a block. Bought stock seat foam eBay plans are to install gel pad and shave hump. Have most parts. Sure lots more will surface as project proceeds. Wife's truck sitting in driveway begging me to crawl under and rebuild front end. Think I see light at end of tunnel sure hope its not a train. What was so confusing was only used two wires from trailer light converter of course cant see whats inside like the turn signal control box. When there's time going to open it up or maybe not wonder what other things would fail without it. Am curious how that box works.

[sedelen]

You curious how that turn signal control box works, eh? For the most part they don't (LOL).

Got a leaky Skunk tank (we call '78 GS1000E's skunks because of the white stripe), gonna solder it , be careful on that one . My skunk tank leaked, I tried to seal it with Kreme, didn't work and replaced it with a new one back in '82, can't find new tanks now.

1978 GS1000E Wiring Harness :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978-suzuki-gs-1000-dohc-s68-wiring-harness-/250716103426?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a5fd82302

GS1000 Seat, Says it from a '79, but it's a '78 C model with a different seat cover, I can tell from the color of the seat pan, maroon, not as stepped as an E-model)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220713683167&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Also, I have a handlebar left switching unit. I believe it's from an 850, or a GS1000 C model. I don't believe it has that self cancelling feature, where you push down on it to cancel the signal. I got on an E-bay auction but all I did was cannibalize the itty bitty light switch knob as the one on my bike was missing, your welcome to that if you want it.

[Steve]

GS850 and 1000 relay boxes are the same

Sort of. The '79-and-older units are the same, but they changed in '80. The '80-and-up units can be swapped with other '80-and-up bikes, but are not compatible with older bikes.

You curious how that turn signal control box works, eh? For the most part they don't (LOL).

If that is the case, I have had a bunch of lemons.

1. My wife's '82 850L
2. My #2 son's '81 850G
3. My '81 850G, "Freebie" (sold)
4. My '80 850G, "Junior"

ALL of them have working turn signal control boxes.

The only problem with any of them is with Junior, the selector button is not spring-loaded when turning left. When pulled all the way to the left, it stays there. This tells the control box to start flashing. Since it is stuck there, it's always telling it to start the flash cycle. If I move the selector button over to the second position, the signals will cancel just fine. The control boxes all work, but not the hand controls.

.

[metalman]

You curious how that turn signal control box works, eh? For the most part they don't (LOL).

Got a leaky Skunk tank (we call '78 GS1000E's skunks because of the white stripe), gonna solder it , be careful on that one . My skunk tank leaked, I tried to seal it with Kreme, didn't work and replaced it with a new one back in '82, can't find new tanks now.

1978 GS1000E Wiring Harness :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978-suzuki-gs-1000-dohc-s68-wiring-harness-/250716103426?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a5fd82302

GS1000 Seat, Says it from a '79, but it's a '78 C model with a different seat cover, I can tell from the color of the seat pan, maroon, not as stepped as an E-model)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220713683167&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Also, I have a handlebar left switching unit. I believe it's from an 850, or a GS1000 C model. I don't believe it has that self cancelling feature, where you push down on it to cancel the signal. I got on an E-bay auction but all I did was cannibalize the itty bitty light switch knob as the one on my bike was missing, your welcome to that if you want it.

Yes its quite the stinker alright. Not use to the skunk reference as my last 1000 was a beautiful maroon color and this black and white paint scheme is ugly as sin to me. Needless to say its not going to stay a skunk and hopefully with enough effort not a stinker either. Not sure what if anything is wrong with left handle bar switching unit that a good cleaning wouldn't fix. There is continuity to both left and right switch only the dimmer is acting dirty as low beam is acting up would've used it except it and the signals didn't work together. Had email from Travis with pictures but couldn't get my head around it as pics were taken after wires covered. Not too sure about dimmer as only rode it 14 miles after removing big butt seat, it was in the day and bike felt dangerous due to old tires, and worn out chain and sprockets. That's when She retired to living room in front of heater for winter makeover. My wife's a pretty good ole gal, seems to be quite tolerant of my redneck ways and second childhood or might of never left my first. God it's nice to be in the south where redneck ways are tolerated. Must tear apart the left side switch find out what going on probably old and crusty like me, hopefully won't need another. First on agenda is give hands a few days rest carpal tunnel is starting to give me fits. Just a thought if one knew how to reproduce a facsimile of the turn signal control boxes there might be good money to be made, couldn't be more than a few dollars of parts or maybe not just a thought. The tank has been relined with a see through red lining appears to be good job but after fileing through the paint to get to what looked to be rust bubbles turned out to be a bad solder job, thinking fairly easy fix paint and metal repair right up my alley.

[sedelen]

Sort of. The '79-and-older units are the same, but they changed in '80. The '80-and-up units can be swapped with other '80-and-up bikes, but are not compatible with older bikes.



If that is the case, I have had a bunch of lemons.

1. My wife's '82 850L
2. My #2 son's '81 850G
3. My '81 850G, "Freebie" (sold)
4. My '80 850G, "Junior"

ALL of them have working turn signal control boxes.

The only problem with any of them is with Junior, the selector button is not spring-loaded when turning left. When pulled all the way to the left, it stays there. This tells the control box to start flashing. Since it is stuck there, it's always telling it to start the flash cycle. If I move the selector button over to the second position, the signals will cancel just fine. The control boxes all work, but not the hand controls.

.

That is why I got that handlebar switching unit off of E-bay, because I thought it could possibly be a faulty handlebar switch. The control box unit I'm using now sometimes "hangs up" (doesn't flash) when I switch it left. To get it to work I have to switch it to the right, then back to left. Thought it was a dirty switch in the handlebar switching unit, but I got two other control boxes, one that works only on the left, and one that continues to flash, and neither of those ever hangs up when switching it left, so I've concluded (not nessarily correct though) it to be a sticky relay in the turn signal control box. The '80's switching units are alot more common, and much cheaper, only one connector and possibly a ground wire (can't remember) . Wish I had to deal with that. I got a couple of those also for my GS1100E.

[sedelen]

Yes its quite the stinker alright. Not use to the skunk reference as my last 1000 was a beautiful maroon color and this black and white paint scheme is ugly as sin to me. Needless to say its not going to stay a skunk and hopefully with enough effort not a stinker either. Not sure what if anything is wrong with left handle bar switching unit that a good cleaning wouldn't fix. There is continuity to both left and right switch only the dimmer is acting dirty as low beam is acting up would've used it except it and the signals didn't work together. Had email from Travis with pictures but couldn't get my head around it as pics were taken after wires covered. Not too sure about dimmer as only rode it 14 miles after removing big butt seat, it was in the day and bike felt dangerous due to old tires, and worn out chain and sprockets. That's when She retired to living room in front of heater for winter makeover. My wife's a pretty good ole gal, seems to be quite tolerant of my redneck ways and second childhood or might of never left my first. God it's nice to be in the south where redneck ways are tolerated. Must tear apart the left side switch find out what going on probably old and crusty like me, hopefully won't need another. First on agenda is give hands a few days rest carpal tunnel is starting to give me fits. Just a thought if one knew how to reproduce a facsimile of the turn signal control boxes there might be good money to be made, couldn't be more than a few dollars of parts or maybe not just a thought. The tank has been relined with a see through red lining appears to be good job but after fileing through the paint to get to what looked to be rust bubbles turned out to be a bad solder job, thinking fairly easy fix paint and metal repair right up my alley.

If you can fix leaky tanks you'll make lots of friends here. My spare tank leaks when you fill it more than halfway, can't pinpoint where it's coming from. If you take apart that handlebar switching unit, watch out for those little springs that literally dissapear on you. Not a fan of the "Skunk" black and white color scheme, most of us love it. On my '78 Skunk, the handlebar light switch was defeated, you could not turn it on or off, just turned on the headlights when you turned the key on, came that way from the factory. I took off the switch knob and trimmed off a piece of the plastic that had held it in the on position, presto! I had a working on/off light switch.

[metalman]

If you can fix leaky tanks you'll make lots of friends here. My spare tank leaks when you fill it more than halfway, can't pinpoint where it's coming from. If you take apart that handlebar switching unit, watch out for those little springs that literally dissapear on you. Not a fan of the "Skunk" black and white color scheme, most of us love it. On my '78 Skunk, the handlebar light switch was defeated, you could not turn it on or off, just turned on the headlights when you turned the key on, came that way from the factory. I took off the switch knob and trimmed off a piece of the plastic that had held it in the on position, presto! I had a working on/off light switch.

Just took a look at Bryn Jones BOM June 2010 Skunk. Unbelievable that's one beautiful bike. When I figure how to set my avatar, picture etc up you will understand my previous statement. Could be wrong about fixing the tank but sure I can do a better job than po did. Used cream on tank back in 91 and had good luck with it although rust was not so bad. The seam on one side and a spot on bottom of current tank leaks, might not be able to fix but wont be for lack of trying. Also derusted tank on my 68 Chevy back in the 90's put in a pound or so of BB's and few gallon of gas and sealed. Mounted in bed of truck. Used 5 gal. gas can for tank and went to business as usual rotated tank occasionally Bingo clean tank. Could you put dye in your tank, use powder on exterior got to be a way to find leak. Propane torch just kidding. supposed to be a blink icon here don't know where it went. If switch is full of pingones how does one know how to reassemble? Must be a common sense thing or end up in scrap look out ebay here we come!

[Steve]

The control box unit I'm using now sometimes "hangs up" (doesn't flash) when I switch it left. To get it to work I have to switch it to the right, then back to left. Thought it was a dirty switch in the handlebar switching unit, but I got two other control boxes, one that works only on the left, and one that continues to flash, and neither of those ever hangs up when switching it left, so I've concluded (not nessarily correct though) it to be a sticky relay in the turn signal control box.

I have not had a '79 unit to 'play' with, but I don't see how that would happen with an '80-and-up unit. Maybe that's why they changed?

The control box is just the device that turns on the flasher when you ask it to flash, then turns it off when time and distance paramaters have been met. I dont see where it even 'knows' which side is flashing. It would only know whether the flasher is ON or OFF.

.

[sedelen]

Just took a look at Bryn Jones BOM June 2010 Skunk. Unbelievable that's one beautiful bike. When I figure how to set my avatar, picture etc up you will understand my previous statement. Could be wrong about fixing the tank but sure I can do a better job than po did. Used cream on tank back in 91 and had good luck with it although rust was not so bad. The seam on one side and a spot on bottom of current tank leaks, might not be able to fix but wont be for lack of trying. Also derusted tank on my 68 Chevy back in the 90's put in a pound or so of BB's and few gallon of gas and sealed. Mounted in bed of truck. Used 5 gal. gas can for tank and went to business as usual rotated tank occasionally Bingo clean tank. Could you put dye in your tank, use powder on exterior got to be a way to find leak. Propane torch just kidding. supposed to be a blink icon here don't know where it went. If switch is full of pingones how does one know how to reassemble? Must be a common sense thing or end up in scrap look out ebay here we come!

I haven't fooled around with the tank lately, I used as a it temp while my other one was getting painted, it's removed now, but I'm working a leaking (internally) petcock issue (spare), won't completely shut off the fuel, tore it apart and saw all this build up where the little O ring in the diaphram mates. Been cleaning (scraping) that off for the last hour or so. I have another petcock coming, so I'll be able to focus on that tank eventually. I may have caused the leak myself, the front rubber cushions were oversize, when I swapped tanks had a hard time getting it on, thought the oil cooler hoses were too tight and in the way (they run up under the tank). Smelled gas next day and it seemed to be coming from the front left mounting collar. When I got my new painted tank, I tried to remove the old one and it was a real fight, that's when I realized the cushions were oversize, luckily I had a set of new ones for the new tank.

Here's a really nice '78 GS1000E, November Bike of the Month for 2006, looks exactly like the one I had, I like to keep them all stock. It was this photo that help provide some of the inspiration to get another GS1000E.

http://www.thegsresources.com/halloffame/2006/gs_photo_nov_06.htm

As far as the pingones go, I never tore my switch apart, was going to and figured out it wasn't the switch, but I had another switch anyway for parts. I've only read about the someone looking for hours for those little springs. I don't like fixing what isn't broke. Don't know what shape your bike is in, but if it's anything like mine was you can have some real challenges ahead.

72 degrees here yesterday, so I took out the GS1000 and drove all around central Florida, about 150 miles. Then I came home and took the GS1100 out for a couple of hours. Figured you needed some inspiration!

[sedelen]

I have not had a '79 unit to 'play' with, but I don't see how that would happen with an '80-and-up unit. Maybe that's why they changed?

The control box is just the device that turns on the flasher when you ask it to flash, then turns it off when time and distance paramaters have been met. I dont see where it even 'knows' which side is flashing. It would only know whether the flasher is ON or OFF.

.

Beats me, the newer unit is much smaller. The old unit is about as big as a pack of cigarettes. There's two circuits in that control box I believe, one for each flasher, as there's two coils under the removeable cover, don't quite know how that odometer thing is tied in. I believe there's two circuits because I have one control unit in which only the left side flashes.
I'm sitting here looking at four of these things that are getting packed up and shipped to Dale "Rusty Bronco." Maybe he can use his sheer electrical engineering genius and fix one or two. I'm saving one that almost works completely (just won't shut off) for "Metalman" in case he decides to reverse engineer his current project.

[metalman]

I haven't fooled around with the tank lately, I used as a it temp while my other one was getting painted, it's removed now, but I'm working a leaking (internally) petcock issue (spare), won't completely shut off the fuel, tore it apart and saw all this build up where the little O ring in the diaphram mates. Been cleaning (scraping) that off for the last hour or so. I have another petcock coming, so I'll be able to focus on that tank eventually. I may have caused the leak myself, the front rubber cushions were oversize, when I swapped tanks had a hard time getting it on, thought the oil cooler hoses were too tight and in the way (they run up under the tank). Smelled gas next day and it seemed to be coming from the front left mounting collar. When I got my new painted tank, I tried to remove the old one and it was a real fight, that's when I realized the cushions were oversize, luckily I had a set of new ones for the new tank.

Here's a really nice '78 GS1000E, November Bike of the Month for 2006, looks exactly like the one I had, I like to keep them all stock. It was this photo that help provide some of the inspiration to get another GS1000E.

http://www.thegsresources.com/halloffame/2006/gs_photo_nov_06.htm

As far as the pingones go, I never tore my switch apart, was going to and figured out it wasn't the switch, but I had another switch anyway for parts. I've only read about the someone looking for hours for those little springs. I don't like fixing what isn't broke. Don't know what shape your bike is in, but if it's anything like mine was you can have some real challenges ahead.

72 degrees here yesterday, so I took out the GS1000 and drove all around central Florida, about 150 miles. Then I came home and took the GS1100 out for a couple of hours. Figured you needed some inspiration!

Thanks for the inspiration, makes me want to move and if you start posting pictures of big fish caught your gonna have company. Bet ya miss your last 1000 the nov 2006 is beautiful. here is a picture of last and current 1000 if I get them to upload. The only thing comesmetically wrong with my first was the stock turn signals replaced wit Honda bullets shortened.

[metalman]

Beats me, the newer unit is much smaller. The old unit is about as big as a pack of cigarettes. There's two circuits in that control box I believe, one for each flasher, as there's two coils under the removeable cover, don't quite know how that odometer thing is tied in. I believe there's two circuits because I have one control unit in which only the left side flashes.
I'm sitting here looking at four of these things that are getting packed up and shipped to Dale "Rusty Bronco." Maybe he can use his sheer electrical engineering genius and fix one or two. I'm saving one that almost works completely (just won't shut off) for "Metalman" in case he decides to reverse engineer his current project.

and the 1000 I let get away

[sedelen]

Nice Bikes, The C looks fast just sitting still.
I like 'em clean, I did add a luggage rack to mine, and it's got some case savers that came with it, and a oil cooler.
Would like to post some pics, but the HP printer software freezes up my computer every time I try to access it, scan pic's.

As far as fishing goes, this is the place. I used to love to go fishing in the Gulf stream off Miami when I was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base until hurricane Andrew wiped out my home.
Sailfish, Dolphin, King Mackeral, Grouper, Mutton Snapper, you get the picture, big fish! I had two boats and used to go out every weekend regardless of the weather.
Where I live at now you got big redfish at Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville, and huge trophy size largemouth bass. I haven't been fishing since I've been back to central Florida, Jan 2006. That'll be my next project when I get these two bikes up to speed.