TOPIC:

Hey guys I apologize if this is a duplicate in some form but I can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for.

Background: I'm working on rebuilding a 1980 kz550A1. I rebuilt the top end and have started reassembly. I'm trying to replace the turn signals with something a little smaller than OEM.

Info: 1980 kz550A1
-I have the manual
-New turn signals www.amazon.com/dp/B00E5VXI5E/ref=twister..._encoding=UTF8&psc=1
-I have around 12V at the hot side of the relay
-The relay works with the OEM signals but I don't understand why (the signal's case had to be grounded and there was a hot wire to one side of the bulb??)
-OEM signals don't function as running lights
-The relay ticks if i short it to ground, but the light just stays on if i put the new signal between the relay and ground
-The new signals have a resistance around 40 ohms

I'm wondering if I need a new relay, if so I might go to LEDs and just use the cases from the signals I bought. Any helps appreciated.

The old turn signal flasher may not work right with modern bulbs. The usual fix is to get an electronic turn signal flasher.
A heavy duty trailer flasher is typically recommended. The auto parts store should have one that's the same size as the stock unit.
650ed has mentioned the Tridon 552, which I think is the same as the Novita LL552. I think the yellow Novita is a heavy duty unit.
Novita flashers are made in USA.

Battery. The bike needs a good, fully charged battery to run right. The battery should be at least 12.6 VDC, but a good battery will usually he higher after charging. I have a Scorpion AGM from batterystuff.com and use a Ctek US 0.8 smart charger & VC97 digital multimeter.

The wattage of the new lights in your link is listed as 10 watts each, but the wattage of the stock turn signals is listed as 21 watts each. So the stock flasher may not be operating correctly with the lower wattage of the new lights. Ed

Thanks for the replies. My battery's been on a charger all winter and the relay still works with the OEM I am just baffled by the wiring. I guess the easiest solution is to replace the relay. Any idea if an LED relay will work with incandescent bulbs?

Yes, it should. I'm using a Tridon/Stant 552 2 prong flasher along with the stock incandescent turn signal bulbs and it works better than the stock flasher. Ed

What's the problem with the wiring? There is a power wire to the bulb & the bulb is grounded via the socket & turn signal housing. The turn signal switch completes the circuit to ground.

The Tridon or Novita 552 are electronic flashers (electro-mechanical). The stock units are thermal flashers.

ps: never assume a battery is good. you should test it with a multimeter. a digital unit is preferable for checking the voltage.
I do a high beam load test (engine off). If the voltage drops below 12.2 VDC, the battery may need replacing. If it drops below 11 VDC or so, the battery is probably shot.

Can you link me to this electronic flasher? All the 552s I've found are thermal

I don't know for sure, but Tridon may have stopped making the electro-mechanical Tridon/Stant 552 2 prong flasher. I bought mine 11 years ago, but I don't see one listed on their website now. You may want to try a Novita EL12 instead. It is a 2-prong, 12v, electro-mechanical unit rather than a thermal unit. Ed

www.novitatech.com/?q=aftermarket/produc...anical-flashers/el12

Autozone etc should have them. Novita LL552 for example The yellow Novita LF12 is a trailer flasher. or EL12 heavy duty.
note: the novita 552 is a thermal flasher.

Novita Electro-mechanical flashers --- round

Novita flashers

Hey just to update, I replaced the relay with a $1.86 straight out of China electro-mechanical unit as a final "test" and everything works. Hopefully it will last, here's the link,

www.amazon.com/TOOGOO-Flasher-Blinker-Mo...words=toogoo+flasher

Thanks for the help

tacoWilso. Hey just to update, I replaced the relay with a $1.86 straight out of China electro-mechanical unit .

and the walmart mentality rears its ugly head.. The Novita flashers mentioned above are MADE IN USA, also mentioned above.

The bike was made in Japan.... It's a global market and Amazon is an American company.