4-way flashers for my 2003 1300 R/S with pics

[DONOR3]

I finally got off my butt, and decided to do this mod to my bike... I got tired of pulling over to have a smoke or getting caught in the rain and not having flashers.... so, I got all that I needed and set out to the garage with camera in hand.... hopefully this will help a little....

DISCLAIMER : first, I am not an electrician or a motorcycle mechanic by no means! The following is how I did it, and it worked for me... So, please do it at your own risk..
Secondly, I should give credit where credit is due....I got the following ( minus pictures, of course) from chet's write up from the following web page:

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/fourways.html (http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/fourways.html)

To start, some parts:
MATERIALS
16-18 gauge wire
1 small DPDT toggle switch (Radio Shack 275-663)
3 splice-in wire connectors (blue plastic variety)
2 female quick disconnects (Radio Shack 64-3049)( for flasher)
4 very small female quick disconnects (if u don't want to solder to toggle switch)
1 Standard Duty Signal Flasher (Auto Zone 536/552-C)
1 in-line fuse holder with 15 amp fuse(went back later and changed to 10 amp)
weather resistant electrical tape (works fine)

TOOLS
screw driver
soldering iron
wire cutters
wire strippers

This is the wiring diagram that I used:
http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/fourway.gif


I had prewired my switch ahead of time to make it a litte easier on myself... the two wires on the left are what go to the right side of the bike to be spliced into the orange and light blue wires.... the one on the right goes to the automotive flasher. In hind sight, I am not very good at soldering, it would have been a lot simplier to have just used 4 small female disconnectors on the back of the toogle switch.
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3961


On my bike, the service manual/ wiring diagram showed I should use the orange and light blue wires that connect the right front and back, ... and left front/back turn signals.... so, i took off the right side chrome cover.. and located them under this boot...Oh, it also will help to take the seats off and the left side chrome cover also.....
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3968

I pulled the rubber boot up and out of the way:
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3965

I then very carefully took off the electrical tape and used some scissors to remove some of the rubber shrink wrap...Also, I disconnected the two wires one at a time to splice into...
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3967

When done, I just simply put the wires back into the rubber boot...and put the right chrome cover back on.....
(side note: I went back later and soldered these wires together instead of splice-in wire connectors)
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3974

I had decided to put the toggle switch on the left chrome cover, just above the ignition switch..... It looked like the best place to keep the switch out of the elements as much as possible.... plus, in the same place on the right side was toooo close to the exhaust, imo....
Drilled a hole ( sorry, ? on size ) and inserted switch:
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3969


http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3973

I zipp- tied the flasher here on the left chrome cover and attached the wires to the flasher:
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3975

At this point, I ran the yellow wire ( with fuse out) to the battery:
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3963

All ready to see if it works.....I put the 15 amp fuse in and tried it.....
No smoke and it worked...... YEA...baby!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=3979

I put the bike back together and played with my new flashers for like 10 minutes - till my wife made me go back into the house :roll::lol:

Hope this helps, have fun and keep it vertical :tools:

scott

[PAVTXER]

I did the same thing based on Rattlebars website, however... I put the power from the flasher to the center poles of the DPDT switch so I can use all 3 positions. Up put the flashers on, center is off and down is where I wired my LEDs.... that way you only need the one switch for both.

[Biddy]

That could come in handy, good cheap mod. 8)

Biddy

[Terry Dill]

Great Job. Very well thought out and the pictures tell it all.

However, I would not have used the blue splice connectors. Over time you will notice the air causing a green buildup at those joints. Better to solder the joints and tape them to seal them.

I still like the job. Well done.

[DONOR3]

As stated, i'm not very good at soldering..... after doing the switch, I got frustrated and gave up.....

with the wiring just behind the side covers, can go back later and do the soldering....

[grossy]

I put the kisan signaminder system on my bike. It has the four way flasher and you can also set the turn signal to turn of in 10, 20 or 30 second. If you pull up to a stop sign and hold the brake the automatic timer will be put on hold until you release the brake. The system work off of the stock turn signal button. It cost a few buck, but I felt it was worth it. I had a habit of leaving the turn signal on after I turned. That my 2 cent worth. :thumbup:

[J-Rider]

which model of signal minder did you get for the VTX

[grossy]

I'm running the SM-3 signalminder. I also have it set up for running light. I had to change the back lens to red to be legal. It took about 1 1/2 hour to install.

[dba777]

THanks for the info!

[floridatank]

Great info, going to try that this weekend.

Tank.......