Strange indicator flashing fault

[Rob65]

Sorry all, this is a problem with my 1100ESD so be as rude as you like but I suspect if anybody can assist it would also apply to Kats . Electrics are not my strong point but need the bike running whilst the Kat is in restoration.

Bike came without indicators so I fitted some of those nasty Ninta aftermarket ones. Despite the dodgy wiring they all flashed at a sensible rate of about 60/min until I ran it on the road. The flash rate increases until they appear on all the time at about 70mph. I assumed the regulator/rectifier might be a problem and blew £70 odd on a decent replacement but the problem is still there - any ideas or suggestions where to check? Like I said the wiring is nasty and the definition on the Haynes Manual wiring diagram is so badly printed I can't read the colours even with magnification so I'm struggling. Also a bit worried there may be too much juice running around at speed so I'm worried about damaging electrical components if I use it much.

[Kryten]

The first thing to check would be the battery voltage when the engine is running to confirm that the Reg/Rec is working correctly.

According to Suzook these are the figures:

The indicators are going to flash faster as the voltage rises causing the relay to operate quicker.

Another way this would happen is if the wattage of the indicator lamps is in correct such as if LEDs are fitted.

According to the MOT they should flash between 60-120 times a minute

[Rob65]

Thanks Kryten I'll give it a go. I'm sure the indicators are not LED's as I had considered changing to these but knew I'd need a different flasher unit if I went this route. Having said that the Ninta indicators come with absolutely no information whatever so I will crack one open and check the bulb. If I don't have a reg/rec problem I'm going to have to start checking the wiring...

[pop-up]

I'd check to see you have a good earth connection. A dodgy earth can throw up all sorts of things.

[fossie]

If they stay on it sound like an earth,....cheap aftermarket ones nowadays are low or led wattage and flash too quickly without a resistance in the line.
Check wattage on bulbs and earths to frame . Having said that if they flashed and no don't I would suspect flasher can to have packed up. The quick flashing may have been a symptom of its illness.
A reg rec failure wouldn't have thrown up an indicator issue in reality on paper yes but in the real world quite unusual. If you have replaced it and the issue is still there a cheap flasher can ( with correct number of terminals, some have 3 some 2 ).. Is the next obvious step.

[Rob65]

Thanks both, a mate of mine I saw yesterday suggested checking the earth so I'll do that before I check the flasher unit. I also ordered a multi-meter as I think it's time I get over my fear of electrickery. Mind you, got a bit of work to do now with 3 sheared exhaust bolts to extract - all part of the charm I keep telling myself.

[johnr]

check your bulbs first, thermal-electric flasher relays need the bike to be running with 21watt indicator bulbs, many of these small aftermarket ones are 5w or so, thus theres not enough resistance to make the relay kick in and out as it should. if you have an electronic relay designed for led's then you might have too much wattage going through it and it may misbehave cos of that. simple check, if it clicks when it flashes its a thermal relay, if it doesnt click, its electronic. as for 70 quid on a reg rec, youd have been better spending a fiver on a multimeter.

[pop-up]

Sorted??

[Rob65]

I think the bulbs are the problem - Thanks John. All these Ninta after-market jobbies are sold with the same photo whoever you go to and none show the wiring. The first lot I bought were single wire earth return type so I'd argue not compatible with a 2 wire system as advertised (am I asking too much?). The second lot I got and kept have 3 wires so I assumed the third was to wire in hazard type flashing. Having pulled the bulb out they have 2 elements rated 23/8W so I assume I have wired in the 8 Watt. I'll try wiring it in the other way but can't test it at speed until I get an exhaust pipe on it.

Thanks for the suggestions and if this doesn't fix it at least I can trace through the other possible causes from all the helpful suggestions.

[johnr]

theyre stop and tail light bulbs then. most bikes have these bulbs in the back light, 8w tail light and 23 w stop light, (used to be 5w/21w, but everything is being harmonised to save money now), so wire in the 23w one and it should flash, and, as an added useful extra, if youre ever out and blow a tail light bulb, you can use one out of your indicators, and put the one with blown tail light element in the indicator and it will still work!