Beware of 10W indicators!

My indicators (as is normal) went all floppy (about 5 years ago) and have been being taped up and bodged ever since.  Eventually earlier this year they started to fall off completely, so I decided I was done with broken indicators and thought I'd buy some more.

Suffice to say that the ones from wemoto were rather expensive, so I decided to buy some cheaper ones off ebay (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402546184918).  They look like this: 




So, they look kind of plasticy, but that'll be ok... right?

Well, on closer inspection (once I'd got them on the bike!) I realised that they actually have 10W bulbs in them rather than 21W bulbs like the originals!

I probably wouldn't care about this, however the difference in resistance between the 21W and 10W bulbs cause the stock flasher relay to go haywire, so I had to 'upgrade' my flasher relay to an LED one that doesn't care about the load (despite these not being LEDs).

In addition to that the thread is a smaller size (not the same diameter as the original ones) and I think they'll fall apart in about 2 weeks, but I was kind of expecting problems like that so I wasn't surprised ;)

The thing you should bear in mind is that these not-so-great indicators were marketed on ebay as 'Indicators Set For Honda CB 500 S Twin 499cc 1998 - 2002'.... hmmm.

Have fun out there, it's a jungle.

Thanks for the heads up.... it is one of the things on my list....

The thing I should also add is this:  you can't just replace the 10W bulbs with 21W ones - the 21W bulbs won't fit in the housings (the bulb glass envelope is too big/long).

I really love my standard indicators, I always think bigger and brighter the better. Had to replace a snapped one earlier this month ... took two weeks to locate one and cost twenty quid. Bought one off the bay and returned it....wrong end fixings

Rob the dog wrote:I really love my standard indicators, I always think bigger and brighter the better. Had to replace a snapped one earlier this month ... took two weeks to locate one and cost twenty quid. Bought one off the bay and returned it....wrong end fixings

Yes, I don't particularly dislike the original ones, it's just that they are becoming a bit hard to find!  Ideally I'd just like to buy some new ones that are the same, but I'm not sure they are really available.

Hi,
and same for me. My oe indicator stalks gave up a couple of months ago so with the mot looking it was time to get new ones. Like you, I went for the little bullet type ones from ebay, but they flashed to fast and not much fun to fit either with minimal amounts of wiring too. For the £7 or so I thought nope and headed to Halfords for their ones which were in the sale. Easy fit, wiring ok, but still a little too fast flashing.
I took the bike for mot and its passed, so flashing is not too quick it seems.
Not found some 21w bulb indicators as yet but the Halfords ones look robust and work so will probably leave them.

Perils of an older bike perhaps?

Muttley1

Fit self flashing LED ones like these 4PCS Motorcycle Indicators Flashing Flowing Turn Signals Lights Waterproof Motorbike Turning Indicators 12V 12 Amber LEDs Bulbs: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike 

Disconnect your flasher relay and put a link wire across the terminals in the loom. The direction lights on your dash/ in the clocks wont flash but that isn't a legal requirement anyway.

Barneyuk - yes, if you manage to fit some self-flashing ones, you won't need the relay - I fear that some people won't like those ones that light up from the end though!

muttley1 wrote:
Perils of an older bike perhaps?

Yes, almost doubtlessly.  Also the perils of dubious items at very cheap prices - I don't really mind them being 'cheap', I'd just wish they had described them more accurately (like the wattage and the thread size, for example), then I could have made a better/more informed decision when buying them.

'Fit self flashing LED ones like these 4PCS Motorcycle Indicators Flashing Flowing Turn Signals Lights Waterproof Motorbike Turning Indicators 12V 12 Amber LEDs Bulbs: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike '


I fitted these onto my 600F, replaced the flasher relay and have to say they work very well, will try something similar on the CB500 when I get a chance.

These from m&p are my recommendation. No faffing with modding or replacing relays. Straight plug and play.
I replaced both sets with clear lens versions in black, long stem on front and short stem at the rear. Went without a hitch and looks far better. £18 well spent.
https://www.mandp.co.uk/products/mini-short-indicator-black-clear-536732
https://www.mandp.co.uk/products/mini-long-indicator-black-clear-536733

They look very nice and in keeping with the bike.
Thanks for the heads up

For info, seem to have gone up a bit now c.£13 for each set.
Still worth it for a no hassle replacement.