Turn signal replacements Bassa/Special Sport

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks, Yesterday I noticed that the rubber stalks that mount the rear turn signals to the funky Bassa style tailight shroud, are cracked near the mounting bolt. They have always been floppy, of mediocre quality at best, and weird in the way they mount with a little soft metal tab, and the bolt.
  Has anyone replaced these funky units with something aftermarket, or from another bike, that fit well in the Guzzi tailight mount, and look as close as posssible to stock?
  Even if they dont look stock, I am open to suggestions, that match the funky tailight housing, and oval shape of the taillight.
Thanks
Rick.

[fotoguzzi]

some Buell's had similar signals but with more flexible shafts that mount right up and look stock. sorry don't remember which Buell tho.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Kiwi Kev just replaced his complete fitting

MGCycle part # 30740960

Oops, he must have got the last one

[bigbikerrick]

Kiwi, the #30740960 taillight assembly is different than what my bike has, that one has 2 round tail lights, mine has one oval taillight. I have heard those with 2 round tail lights also have a way of self destructing. I think the same turn signals/stalks  are used  by both though.
Rick.

[BrotherJim]

Sounds like the Bassa is a little different than my CalStone, but uses the same OEM signals.  Mine were all floppy and rotten and mounted in what I considered a strange way, so no way was I going to spring for new factory ones.  I made some aluminum plates to mount where the turn signals go, and then mounted the turn signals of my choice to the plates.  I found the idea here on WG, but I'll be darned if I can find it to reference it properly.  I'd be happy to show you some pics if you are interested.  Very simple fabrication.

[bigbikerrick]

Hey Brother Jim, That sounds like a great solution, and exactly what I was thinking, some sort of adapter plate to fit at the base where the signal stalk mounts.
If its not too much trouble, I would love to see a picture of what you did.
Thanks
Rick.

[pehayes]

Usually the turn signal stem doesn't break, but the threaded receiver inside the tail light housing does.  The problem is the design.  One bolt and one 'hook'.  The hook starts to bend open gradually and then rapidly snowballs.  Once too loose it transfers bad loads all over until something gives.  The maintenance is to catch it early, remove, hammer to bend the hook flat again, and reinstall.





BTW, when the 98EV first came to market with the dual redundant rear lights, there was a quick series of failures as the plastic lamp sockets melted.  I designed a lathe jig to bore out the bad sockets and glue in better metal ones.  I haven't done a set in a year or two but still have all of the supplies.  I never kept track but probably did 40 sets across the country.  I'll have to get that service back up on my website in case there are still needy users out there.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[BrotherJim]

No problem.  I just used some heavy paper (beer box) for the templates, trying to replicate the mounting bases the best I could. 

Front




Rear




I'd say the only trick to this was to make sure the new signal hardware fit into the available spaces, getting the holes lined-up and all, but I managed to get them right the first time.  I've found this setup to be pretty sturdy, and you could always polish the plates if you need a brighter finish.  Hope this helps.

[Joliet Jim]

some Buell's had similar signals but with more flexible shafts that mount right up and look stock. sorry don't remember which Buell tho.

Buell Blast were the floppy ones, but after a few years they seemed to dryrot and crack. I'm thinking some cheap Aprilia ones might work.

[pehayes]

Just a few minutes to edit the files.  Link to repair service for EV dual tail lamp reflectors.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

http://motohayes.com/shoptask/evlamp/evlamp25.html

[rtbickel]

Both of the rear signal stalks on my 02 broke going over the same big pothole last week.  They had been looking like they were ready to fail all summer.  Just installed one from Harper's, with another one coming next week because it had to be ordered from the distributor.  I really like the look of the stock signals.  The OEM lasted me for 17 years, so I figure this set will probably outlast me.

[bigbikerrick]

Those adapter plates look super clean, Brother Jim. You did very nice work, there. I am going to copy your idea, and get some aftermarket signals  to mount in place of the stockers.
  Hey , Patrick,thats a brilliant way to improve the problematic dual tail light , Its very nice of you to offer that service  to fellow Guzzisti for free!   
Thanks guys
Rick.

[s1120]

Just a few minutes to edit the files.  Link to repair service for EV dual tail lamp reflectors.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

http://motohayes.com/shoptask/evlamp/evlamp25.html

Nice fix, and nice service! Looking at that, and being in the auto parts biz for over 25 years, ive seen a lot of sockets used that could be used as a replacement also..  Nice fix!! 

[screamday]

Buell Blast were the floppy ones, but after a few years they seemed to dryrot and crack. I'm thinking some cheap Aprilia ones might work.

I have the Buell's on my EV and one of them did eventually rot, but it lasted longer than the OEM stalk. However, it wasn't easy finding a replacement Buell. After much searching and with some help from someone here, I found one on Ebay.

[bigbikerrick]

I was thinking that with a pair of adapter plates like Brother Jim made, I could install a pair of these, they are the ones I found that look sorta like the oem. The price is so inexpensive ,though that I wonder about the quality. They cant be much worse than what Guzzi used in my application.  :grin
Rick
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Motorcycle-Turn-Signal-Blinker-Indicator-Light-for-Honda-Suzuki-Yamaha-Chrome/163042162801?hash=item25f611f871:g:MnsAAOSwQRlazr~L:rk:6:pf:0 

[pehayes]

Nice fix, and nice service! Looking at that, and being in the auto parts biz for over 25 years, ive seen a lot of sockets used that could be used as a replacement also..  Nice fix!!

I pretty much depleted stock at my local cycle salvage and began using aftermarket new sockets.  The trick is to try and get the glowing filament of the bulb as close as possible to the focal point of the parabola of the reflector.  Makes a big difference in brightness.  Unfortunately there is little consistency from bulb manufacturer to bulb manufacturer.  So, accuracy of the parabola focus is  bit of a crap shoot.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA