TOPIC:

I've got a 78 kz 750. The turn signals and electrical system all work fine. I was just wondering if there was something I can do to make the turn signals flash a little faster. I just don't like them flashing that slow. Right now they flash on and off in about 1 second.

Other than checking that the bulbs and wires are clean and you have a good ground so they get the power they are supposed to do, if you don't already have one installed, get an electronic flasher for them instead of the orginal thermal one. Go to any parts store, I'm now sure of the number, just ask for an electronic 2 prong flasher. A good on is about 8 buckazoids.
Ride safe,
Les

The Milkman wrote:

...Go to any parts store, I'm now sure of the number, just ask for an electronic 2 prong flasher. A good on is about 8 buckazoids...

That's what I did (I had to since I went to L.E.D.).

The "heavy duty"/electronic flasher works great.

I just brought my old one up to AutoZone to compare. I got one that fit nicely in the original rubber holder.

That sounds pretty easy. I'm probably going to pick ont up this week then. Is there anything else I should know besides just get an electronic two prong flasher?

Yeah... you should know that a regular flasher is about $3 and a heavy duty is about $7. bwhahaha The HD flasher will fix your problem. It is common to have the flashers either flash slow or real fast when you add a trailer and its lights. The HD flasher is made to take the different bulb voltages and handle them and flash at a regular rate. The flasher unit on ALL older bikes is barrel shaped and you will find a similar one at your autoparts store marked HD. Later Kaw flasher units are rectanglural shaped but also use the |_ type prongs and the barrel shaped HD flashers work great there as well... Whenever I redo a bike, I just buy an HD flasher because it will allow the use of different voltage bulbs and LEDs and such where the standard flasher won't like the different voltages and blink funny.

I replaced my stock flasher with a Triden EL-12. Cost $12.99 at Autozone. It was a direct replacement for my stock flasher (same size, same plug), and it solved my slow flasher problem.

ltdrider wrote:

I replaced my stock flasher with a Triden EL-12. Cost $12.99 at Autozone. It was a direct replacement for my stock flasher (same size, same plug), and it solved my slow flasher problem.

I got the same flasher and a new battery. The difference was like night and day.

Awesome. I bought a new heavy duty electrical flasher relay, the two prong one like you guys said. I got it a Advance Auto Parts and it was $7.68. Fits right into the stock rubber holder too. It works great. It flashes exactly like I wanted it to.

I have the same problem, slow flashing('77 KZ650).
After reading this thread, I'm a little confused; do I need a Heavy Duty flasher or an electronic flasher? Or are they one and the same?

I installed HD flashers about 20 years ago and the same ones are happily flashing away today!

If you have the wrong lamps or resistance in the circuit, they won't flash properly and maybe not at all. Check your manual for lamp type. As others have said, the 'heavy duty' flasher may correct. The el-cheapo 'solid state' flasher works for less $.

The old flasher has a strip made of two different metals and when current flows through it it gets warm. One metal expands more than the other and opens a connection(lamps off). No current is flowing, the metals cool, the connection closes(lamps on). Lamps that draw more current cause the metal to heat faster. Less current(lamps or resistance in the circuit) and it heats more slowly and flashing is slow.

I'm looking for one that will flash consistently, regardless of load. Ideally, I would like to get close to 2 flashes per second. Right now, mine is about one per second or slower, and at that, the 'on' time is shorter than the 'off' time; I figure, if someone glances at my signals before manuevering in traffic, there's a good chance they'll see it in the off mode.
I notice at the EL-12'a website, that the rate is shown as 60-120 per minute. Is that thing adjustable?:
www.tricoproducts.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=262&location_id=123