I have two vintage turn signal switches, one four wire and one seven. I have wiring diagrams for both. The four wire, the black one, has a sliding bracket that fits around the steering column, held in place by a worm clamp. There is a small black wheel that rubs against the column, protrudes when the signal is activated, and should retract when the steering wheel is turned. The black switch's wheel will protrude, sometimes, and sure doesn't retract as it should . It also doesn't switch 'all the way' on either left or right consistently. I've only assembled it once and may get it to work properly with enough fiddling. The chrome signal is an Auto Lamp, seven wires, and has a very positive action on left and right as well as retracting as it should. I do not have a colum bracket for the chrome one, and I seem to recall seeing a photo of a similar unit that had a clamp, sort of like an old flashlight clamp that clamps on the column, and may also be held in place by a worm clamp. I have two brackets for the black unit, one short, one long and imagine either will work. Thus I'm wondering if anyone can educate me on the clamp for the chrome unit. I prefer using the black unit but not totally sure I can make it function as it should, and am positive the chrome unit will work well. So any assistance, photos appreciated.
The chrome Auto Lamp 9000 should have the same type bracket as the black unit to attach to the column with a hose clamp.
I went through a goodly number of hours to install (and hide) turn signals on my Vincent Black Shadow, was boasting about them to a BMW rider (who wears an open faced helmet) and he said, "I use m' arm." I thought about his statement the last time I was nearing downtown Louisville on I65 and would not have dared take a hand off the handlebar in t he rain. There's a 'crash bar' going across this bike so I milled a slot on each side and put in LED's and most everyone who sees it says, "You don't have any turn signals," because they're looking at the forks for Mouse Ear signals. But for certain I USE my left arm to signal to the cell-phone idiot behind me to SLOW DOWN, when I see a problem ahead.
Great photos but they don't show the bracket. And lo and behold as I was taking the photos I noticed the small bracket was bent at 90 degrees, and it looks like it will fit the 7 wire unit, so my problem may be solved. Regarding the 4 wire unit I've ascertained the rivet holding the wheel has worn a slot in the bracket, vertically, and lets the wheel slop around. The rivet has a washer on it that can stay solid while the wheel turns, so I just socked it full of JB Weld and will wait til tomorrow night to see if that solves the problem.
Old school Vincent yeah baby. Riding in a pack (full dress flh) I always used hand signals, and eye contact to my partner
In all my years on motorcycles, I was never fortunate enough to ride a Vincent and close enough to touch one only once. You, sir, are to be congratulated for being the caretaker of one and being able to still ride it. I am so envious.
I sold a piece of sculpture at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for about $22,500 so decided to put a chunk of the money in something I really liked, and that would hold value. I saw my bike when I was 18 in a Denver car show and wound up buying it for $20,000 when I was 42. The value hasn't gone up in many years, but I wouldn't take $100,000 for it today...it's probably worth $55,000 or so. But now it's a rider, disc brakes, Kubota alternator and will keep up with modern bikes, and it's still a pleasure to ride.
I have conducted a 'straw poll' for over 25 years among riders and I ask them, "How much front and rear brake do you use, especially when you want to stop in a hurry." I'd say at least 75% of them say they use the rear brake almost exclusively...thus I don't ride in packs, I go lone wolf. If one doesn't know to use at least 75% front brake and 25% rear, I don't want to be around them. My Vincent usually has its rear (drum) brake so oiled that I haven't even touched it in many years..I use 100% front.
An old biker buddy once told me about hand signals . We all use them riding on the bikes , but the only F*$$kin thing I can tell you about a woman using hand signals is the GD window was down !
I can't tell from the pictures exactly how the chrome one is made, but I remember not all aftermarket units had the self-cancelling wheel. Drivers were expected to be paying attention to their surroundings and automotive happenings, and thus could cancel the signal themselves. We've become sooo spoiled.
If I tried that today folks around here think I’m throwing gang signs out and want to shoot at me. Life’s hard being OG
My NOS Allstate has a cancelling wheel on rear from memory. and attaches to column tube via a hose clamp.
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