Turn Signal Issues - New twist - 78 GS1000

[Rabelrouzer]

Hi all, I'm new here, but not new to these old classics. Have a 75 CB750 project just finished, have owned several late 70's early 80's bikes, including several Harley's. Have a 2010 Harley Ultra Classic Electraglide, and now helping son with a nice little 78 GS1000

Now, before you all roll your eyers and tell me to read the forums, I have. Here is my issue. Originally had no turn signals, nothing. Worked through everything including hunting down a NOS Turn Signal Control Unit, and replaced the relay. Took the Handlebar switch apart, preformed all testing etc. Now have turn signals that come on, and cancel as they should, but do not flash UNTIL you get the bike at about 40MPH, then everything works as it should . They flash, they manually cancel etc. But under 40MPH nothing. I'm thinking it might be the speed sensor, but seems odd they would work at speed but not at stop. Don't think it's RPM related, but I very well could be wrong about that. electrical systems seems to check out.

Open to any and all suggestions

Thanks
Rabelrouzer

[Rover]

Shot in the dark.....not getting enough juice until the rpm's get high.
Check out the stator papers.
I'm sure some of our electrical guru's will chime in.
Welcome aboard.

[Rabelrouzer]

Thanks Rover its kind of what I was thinking, going to check that next

[Big T]

I think it's a time sensor, not a speed sensor

You're giving 1978 electrics too much credit

And, if you did read the forums (and your megawelcome), you'd know to check the stator and your electrical connections

[Guest]

Once you get that nice little GS1000 running right, it's going to be, "my dad has some nice little Harleys".

[Steve]

I think it's a time sensor, not a speed sensor.

It's actually a little bit of both. I forget the exact numbers, but it's something like:
The signals will cancel after travelling more than 10 mph for more than 10 seconds.

The actual specs might be 9 seconds and 15 kph, but the idea is the same.
If you are barely moving or just sitting still, they will flash forever.
Start moving, go faster than about 10 mph for more than 10 seconds, they will cancel.

.

[Guest]

The reed switch in the distance counter can go bad and cause erratic turn signal operation. If it does that it can be disconnected at the headlight and used as a manual canceling system. That's not what yours is doing. My bike did what yours is doing when I first got it. It got a lot better after I went through the entire wiring harness and cleaned all the connectors and coated them with dielectric grease. The burnt stator connectors and about five or six other connectors got replaced using opened barrel connectors and the proper crimping tool to turn the wings back into the center of the wire like the factory crimps. It would still blink very slowly at idle. My regulator was going bad. It would put out low voltage at idle and too much voltage at higher rpm. After I changed over to the Compufire system (made for Harleys ), it will blink normally at idle all day long.

[ChicagoBob]

Are you using small bulb or LED signals? If so, you should try a no-load flasher.

[Rabelrouzer]

Yeah it's a lot of fun to ride, but for long hauls, no way will it replace the Ultra Classic. But again, it's a blast to ride.

[Rabelrouzer]

ChicagoBob,

No using standard lamps

[Rabelrouzer]

OldVet,
I thought it might be the regulator, but at least at the battery, the charging voltage seems to be correct. I guess it could still be the regulator though.