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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: acogoff on August 19, 2019, 03:14:44 PM

Title: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: acogoff on August 19, 2019, 03:14:44 PM
   Oh the shame of it.   Happened yesterday and it had to have been on for ten miles before I noticed. Luckily not much traffic so I only looked stupid to a few people. It may be time to hook a squeaker of some kind into the system, maybe.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: slopokes on August 19, 2019, 04:05:43 PM
Yes you should—- only thing worse than one signal on is four ways 🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Kiwi Dave on August 19, 2019, 04:15:16 PM
Guzzi have finally included self cancelling turn signals on the V85.  The problem as I see it, the time it takes to automatically turn it off is far too long.

Maybe there is a tweak available using Guzzidiag, but I didn't see one, using the Cali 1400 option.  Perhaps when there is a specific V85 version for Guzzidiag, it will be included.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: yogidozer on August 19, 2019, 04:20:20 PM
Harley had the solution decades ago.
Let your thumb off the button  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: TDF on August 19, 2019, 05:13:37 PM
You never know which direction an old guy on a motorcycle is gonna turn, but you always know which direction he turned last.

TDF
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: fotoguzzi on August 19, 2019, 05:26:24 PM
If you get a squeaker next you'll need a hearing aid. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: n3303j on August 19, 2019, 08:57:00 PM
I use a,Kisan Flasher on all my bikes. Shuts off after 30 flashes unless I am on the brake which pauses the counter.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: ken farr on August 19, 2019, 09:09:17 PM
You never know which direction an old guy on a motorcycle is gonna turn, but you always know which direction he turned last.

TDF

...now that's the funnist thing I've heard all week... :bow:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: ohiorider on August 20, 2019, 05:01:21 AM
Thinking back to my reentry to motorcycling in 1984.  I'd picked up a leftover '83 Yamaha Virago 750.  I think the basic logic worked something like this:

- if flasher was activated while bike was stopped, it continued to flash.  It did not time out while stationary.
- once bike was in motion, it counted wheel rotation.  Once a predetermined distance had been covered, the turn signal would cancel.

Seemed logical to me.  As I recall, the dash turn indicators were large enough to get your attention, unlike my 2014 CB1100, which uses tiny LEDs, and does not self-cancel.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: yogidozer on August 20, 2019, 05:21:10 AM
Thinking back to my reentry to motorcycling in 1984.  I'd picked up a leftover '83 Yamaha Virago 750.  I think the basic logic worked something like this:

- if flasher was activated while bike was stopped, it continued to flash.  It did not time out while stationary.
- once bike was in motion, it counted wheel rotation.  Once a predetermined distance had been covered, the turn signal would cancel.

Seemed logical to me.  As I recall, the dash turn indicators were large enough to get your attention, unlike my 2014 CB1100, which uses tiny LEDs, and does not self-cancel.
Or a less complicated answer.
Take your thumb off the button?  :shocked:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: ohiorider on August 20, 2019, 05:34:16 AM
I use a,Kisan Flasher on all my bikes. Shuts off after 30 flashes unless I am on the brake which pauses the counter.
Sounds logical.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Two Checks on August 20, 2019, 08:33:09 AM


Quote from: yogidozer on August 19, 2019, 04:20:20 PM (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=102437.msg1620602#msg1620602)
Harley had the solution decades ago.
Let your thumb off the button  :rolleyes:

That worked well....hit the turn signal instead of the horn....or the starter. BMW did that, too. Drove me nuts.


Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: yogidozer on August 20, 2019, 08:55:03 AM

Quote from: yogidozer on August 19, 2019, 04:20:20 PM (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=102437.msg1620602#msg1620602)
Harley had the solution decades ago.
Let your thumb off the button  :rolleyes:

That worked well....hit the turn signal instead of the horn....or the starter. BMW did that, too. Drove me nuts.

Yeah, real complicated. So having a turn signal, horn and starter button like you currently do still driving you nuts?  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Jim Rich on August 20, 2019, 09:54:50 AM
You could use hand signals but only other geezers would know what you were doing.   :shocked:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: n3303j on August 20, 2019, 09:57:58 AM
I tried hand signals. Car drivers just waved back. No one understood.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: LowRyter on August 20, 2019, 10:18:49 AM
My '81 Yamaha had self cancelling signals.  They worked great.  I don't know why we don't have them now.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: n3303j on August 20, 2019, 10:33:15 AM
My '87 BMW K100RS self cancelled based on motion, distance and time. Guess it gave the ECM something to do in between squirts & sparks.

But again I mention Kisan Signal Minder.
https://kisantech.com/signalminder.html

It's cheap insurance. Strange surroundings, long day, lots of traffic, preoccupied with other events and it's easy to forget to cancel that last left turn you made. So you are indicating a left turn as you enter an intersection you intend to pass straight through.  The car coming at you actually plans to turn left. He trusts your signal and next thing you know you eat a face full of Chevy door and it's your fault.

It's all about reducing pilot workload. One less task that HAS to be done. Let George do it.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on August 20, 2019, 04:33:32 PM
 I have had a couple of older Yamahas that had self canceling signals.  The were a timed affair.  And they failed after a few months.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Johncolleary on August 20, 2019, 10:13:30 PM
I did it today for probably 5 miles!  DUH!!!
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: tusong200 on August 21, 2019, 09:55:10 AM
Just as bad leaving your right turn signal on. Driver at intersection coming from either direction thinks you're turning right so pulls out in front of you....bang!!

I take the bulbs out of the front indicators. I don't care if anyone in front of me knows whether I'm turning or not. It's only drivers behind you that need to know because they can hit you. Drivers in front of you cannot hit you....you can only hit them. (Except for oncoming traffic in which case turn signals are irrelevant. If you get hit by oncoming traffic somebody F'd up majorly.)

Courtesy does not outweigh my own safety. Call it extreme defensive riding.

Never had a problem with flasher units not flashing on older Guzzis.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Zoom Zoom on August 21, 2019, 10:03:25 AM
It's a big boat. The moment I recall as the worst was when I turned left onto a road that has a stop light right after that. I still had my left blinker on and was headed forward. But, the car pointed toward me didn't know that. We nearly collided and I realized it was my fault. That was a lesson that helped me remember to hit that button.

As an aside, it is a bit of a bummer that Guzzi advertised the 1400's as having self cancelling signals only to find out that it was not the case. (The original documentation touted it.)

Guzzi have finally included self cancelling turn signals on the V85.  The problem as I see it, the time it takes to automatically turn it off is far too long.

Maybe there is a tweak available using Guzzidiag, but I didn't see one, using the Cali 1400 option.  Perhaps when there is a specific V85 version for Guzzidiag, it will be included.

Now to the V85: It really really? Haven't heard that but it's about time!

John Henry
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Sheepdog on August 21, 2019, 10:22:29 AM
You could just constantly punch the "cancel" button like I do. Its gotten to the point that I hit the damn thing every time I turn (not just intersections). Also, I try to hold my thumb on the switch until its time to cancel. My '16 BMW has self-cancelling indicators, but they take a while to turn off. The Harley solution (like the previous BMW attempt) is effective, but I never warmed up to it. The previously mentioned Yamaha self cancelling signals worked well as I recall...
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: acogoff on August 23, 2019, 09:44:15 PM
   Oh the shame of it.   Happened yesterday and it had to have been on for ten miles before I noticed. Luckily not much traffic so I only looked stupid to a few people. It may be time to hook a squeaker of some kind into the system, maybe.

  So this week I went ahead and purchased one of those el cheapo simple flashers with a squeaker on the end of it (chinese made thingie) and it is loud enough  when stopped but not so great when under way. As I am turning the corner I can hear it and it may be enough to kick my brain in gear to turn the signal off. 
 
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: adaven on August 24, 2019, 08:03:57 AM
Ron mentioned Kisan Signal Minder which looks like a good solution that is worth a try, albeit a little pricey. They also sell a (potentially) useful little gadget that I might try, a motorcycle traffic light changer. I know that there are some stoplights that I come to regularly that I would still be waiting at if I was a law abiding citizen. If, for $24, I can be right in the eyes of the locals, I'd be happy.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: ratguzzi on August 24, 2019, 08:08:29 AM
My 68 looper doesn't have turn signals but one time I did a lane change and forgot to put my arm down. Sure was sore after about ten miles.......
JB
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: NWrider on August 24, 2019, 09:28:46 AM
My 1985 Cagiva Elephant had a buzzer linked to the turn signals -- quite simple -- shouldn't need to spend $130 for a Kisan special module.

RE: V85.   The manual states that the turn signal will self cancel after 40 seconds or 1/3 mile --- and will reset to zero if you come to a stop before it times out.   Not very useful in my view.   My old GL1800 is a bit short at about 10 seconds -- 15 - 20 seconds would be about right and 200 - 300 ft for distance.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Huzo on August 24, 2019, 10:30:09 AM
My '81 Yamaha had self cancelling signals.  They worked great.  I don't know why we don't have them now.
Maybe if you had self cancelling turn signals, you’d get the situation where the rider turns the signal on too early and it cancels just before he turns, but he continues around the corner.
An oncoming car fails to give way to the bike because he doesn’t know that he’s turning and the rider sues the manufacturer for some perceived deficiency in the system..
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: slopokes on August 24, 2019, 02:55:49 PM
Motorcycle traffic lite signal canceller works with a magnet— zip tied to the centerstand—worked for me on a k75🤭
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: adaven on August 24, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Motorcycle traffic lite signal canceller works with a magnet— zip tied to the centerstand—worked for me on a k75🤭

If so, I'll bet I can find a magnet for under $25 that would work. Full speed ahead!
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Tom on August 25, 2019, 07:03:22 AM
What's a turn signal?   :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on August 25, 2019, 08:50:48 AM
 A device used to confuse drivers behind you.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Penderic on August 25, 2019, 05:03:48 PM
Very rare to see hand signalling on motorcycles these days. Drivers arent used to seeing them used and these days have no clue what they mean. I use them rarely myself. Dont like taking my hand off the grip when slowing for a stop or turn.  :embarrassed:
(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic007/hand_signals_zpsg0ponfej.jpg)


(https://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic007/right%20turn%20clyde_zpsbo1ok5a0.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: marcmorrison on August 26, 2019, 07:24:13 AM
Piezo in line to both front turn signals....Radio Shack and cheap too!!
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: jbell on August 26, 2019, 09:42:52 AM
Welcome to the club, you're in good  plentiful company.
Oh yeah, in case I forget, welcome to the club.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: unclepete on August 26, 2019, 11:17:27 AM
You need to train yourself to cancel the signal every time . Take the risk seriously . Check often .
Forgetting to do it is not age related ; I see many youngsters forget also .
Relying on technology distances you from the job at hand , and makes you lazier .
Remember how easy it was to do math in your head , until pocket calculators became cheap ?
 
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: giusto on March 28, 2020, 07:16:41 AM
Hmmm I've never had this as a reoccurring problem....I'm not perfect so I may have once or twice... how about simple...if you have a wind shield a small piece of tape somewhere in view that says "blinker" or "DA" or "off" ...if no shield you must look down at dash... small label above 8k on tach..you shouldn't go there anyway....maybe its enough to remind you.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: lazlokovacs on March 29, 2020, 04:58:13 AM
 
My 68 looper doesn't have turn signals but one time I did a lane change and forgot to put my arm down. Sure was sore after about ten miles.......
JB

 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :thumb:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: philwarner on March 29, 2020, 11:19:19 AM
You never know which direction an old guy on a motorcycle is gonna turn, but you always know which direction he turned last.

TDF

That gave me a good chuckle.  Unfortunately it is too true.

  I can usually see the Cali's indicators flashing after a turn, but my Triumph's turn indicator is in a console down on the gas tank, so I bought some little stick-on LED "mood lights" at Wally World, wired them onto the turn lights and neutral light, and stuck them on top of the speedometer where they are more visible; blue for left and right turn and green for neutral light.  I also practice the press the button every once in a while method.

  (BTW, the Triumph neutral light does mean neutral, unlike the Guzzi's which means "perhaps".
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Tom on March 29, 2020, 11:21:29 AM
Thanks guys.  This thread made realize what those funny little lights were on the side of bike were for.  :undecided: :grin:  I use hand signals.   :shocked:
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Mr Pootle on March 29, 2020, 11:48:21 AM
It's that "divided by a common language" thing again. To the British, blinkers are things that were put on carriage and cart horses, to stop them from being distracted by movements off to the side. Indicators are what we call the things we use (save when driving an Audi) to let other drivers know we're turning.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: oldbike54 on March 29, 2020, 04:46:37 PM
 JN Smyth was a well known member of the "can't remember to turn off the blinker" club . One of his nephews rode his bumblebee '95 Cal leaving the church on route to the cemetery , right signal light blinking away for the entire 5 block trip . We were on some very narrow roads in a town of 100 people , so it didn't really matter , but later Delrod mentioned to me that it was just like riding behind JN  :laugh:

 Dusty
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: guzzisteve on March 29, 2020, 07:28:30 PM
I have 2 bikes w/turn signals and have never been accused of leaving my arm out. I usually use my arm no matter if the bike has signals or not, just natural I guess.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: bad Chad on March 29, 2020, 11:51:25 PM
That’s a good story about JN.

My 78 Suzuki and great turn signal cancelers.

The first Guzzi with them as far as I know is the V9, couple years  before the v85.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: tris on March 30, 2020, 03:31:08 AM
I converted all the dash warning lights (with the exception of the blue main beam light) on my old Cali to mega bright LEDs to get my attention!!
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: mechanicsavant on March 31, 2020, 11:21:18 AM
Don’t forget to be courteous to other riders . If ya see a blinker un attended give then the “blinker on” hand sign . Kinda like the OK hand sign but ya open & close the O . Yup many will think you’ve got a hand tremor, a few will catch on !
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: bigbikerrick on March 31, 2020, 12:46:00 PM
Its ridiculous that all street legal motorcycles dont have self cancelling signals. Our Yamaha RZ 350 from 1985 has them and they work very well, still.
 On my 73 eldo, I had to hook up a couple of tiny bright red leds ,one for right, one left, on the handlebars aimed at my retinas.  Its a bit much at night, it illuminates my face like some sort of red ghoul, but what the heck, it gets my attention, even in bright sunlight!

  Yes, I was "That Old Guy", and my son even threatened to stop riding with me, if I didnt get my "shit together"he didnt want to witness me being killed by my turn signal being left on!  "Kids"....SHEESH!
Rick
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: larrys on March 31, 2020, 01:40:02 PM
Can't see the dash turn indicators on my Cal in the sunlight. I have to make myself remember to turn them off. Being old, I sometimes forget.
Larry
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: wicks on March 31, 2020, 02:07:45 PM
Hah yeah would love a solution to this for the LM without cutting any wires. Also maybe we can find a way to keep the kill switch from stopping the motor whenever it feel like taking a break. ;)
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: moto on March 31, 2020, 09:40:13 PM
I have a solution: I punch the turn signal lever to cancel it every few hundred yards, regardless of any turns.

Really. Works for me and I never have to think about it.

Moto
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: bigbikerrick on April 01, 2020, 02:33:57 PM
Moto, you are kidding, right? Punching the button every 100 yds  while riding,would drive me crazy!
Rick.
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: Kiwi Dave on April 01, 2020, 10:50:31 PM
The first Guzzi with them as far as I know is the V9, couple years  before the v85.

I would like to shorten the time required by the V85 to automatically cancel the flashers.  I reckon a quarter of the current time would be about right.

Somewhere in the map there is probably a variable that can be altered to achieve this.  Anyone been there, done that?
Title: Re: I'm now that old guy who drives with his blinker on
Post by: moto on April 01, 2020, 11:06:48 PM
Moto, you are kidding, right? Punching the button every 100 yds  while riding,would drive me crazy!
Rick.

Every few hundred yards, a more or less unconscious impulse. I do it on the principle that I might have left the blinker on recently, meaning I don't have to recall or worry about whether I did or not. So I never worry about it and nonetheless never forget to cancel them.

I tend to be forgetful and this habit saves me from the consequences in this case.

Once on the highway I do it less often.

I'm too far gone to be driven any crazier by this, believe me.

Moto