after-market frustration
Posted 04-22-2010 at 12:37 AM by beefsalad
Ok so I'm a bit miffed at this point about cycle-gears after-market blinkers. I purchased a set not too long after getting my bike. Within the last month both of them have been on the frits. One, I have no idea why it stopped working...or started working again. It acted like there was a loose filament, but that wasn't the problem. The other side...cold solder joint on the bulb-housing (actually they soldered the wire to the spring that helps retain the bulb in the housing) Since I heat-shrank the leads, I can't push them through and resolder it easily. I figured if I was going to go that far, I would replace them.
Off to cyclegear I go. I scope out their selection with the intent of finding who made the indicators I have, so that I could send them my review of their inferior product. According to the guys at cycle-gear, "Speed Metal" is a new brand for them, and they are phasing out Motrax. The set I found that looked like what I have were of the speed-metal variety, and they assured me that if I bought them as long ago as I did, that I would have motrax. I like this style, so I picked up the speed-metals and brought them home. If these things aren't made by the same people, there's a hell of a lot of explaining todo! What I'm assuming are parts numbers on the lenses match identically. If their shape is any different, it's not noticeable to the naked eye. The bulbs, and their off-centered proprietary looking bases also match. At $40/pop, I don't think I'll be trying to fix them or replace them with the "other brand" Most other blinkers would be likely get in the way of my exhaust because of how I made my fender-eliminator. I have plans for a better version that would allow for it, but with my limited amount of tools that's a lot of work. Anyone have a water-jet I can borrow? Better yet, suggestions for a thin-yet still plenty-bright indicator for the rear?
http://www.motrax.co.uk/index.php?mo...uct&id_prd=155 is apparently what I have... I can't even find speedmetal indicators on cyclegears website (they do have speedmetal levers though)
Off to cyclegear I go. I scope out their selection with the intent of finding who made the indicators I have, so that I could send them my review of their inferior product. According to the guys at cycle-gear, "Speed Metal" is a new brand for them, and they are phasing out Motrax. The set I found that looked like what I have were of the speed-metal variety, and they assured me that if I bought them as long ago as I did, that I would have motrax. I like this style, so I picked up the speed-metals and brought them home. If these things aren't made by the same people, there's a hell of a lot of explaining todo! What I'm assuming are parts numbers on the lenses match identically. If their shape is any different, it's not noticeable to the naked eye. The bulbs, and their off-centered proprietary looking bases also match. At $40/pop, I don't think I'll be trying to fix them or replace them with the "other brand" Most other blinkers would be likely get in the way of my exhaust because of how I made my fender-eliminator. I have plans for a better version that would allow for it, but with my limited amount of tools that's a lot of work. Anyone have a water-jet I can borrow? Better yet, suggestions for a thin-yet still plenty-bright indicator for the rear?
http://www.motrax.co.uk/index.php?mo...uct&id_prd=155 is apparently what I have... I can't even find speedmetal indicators on cyclegears website (they do have speedmetal levers though)
Total Comments 7
Comments
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much brighter than stock , $15 for all 4. GSXR turn signalsPosted 05-03-2010 at 05:46 PM by zaq123 
Updated 05-17-2010 at 06:57 PM by zaq123 -
I guess I should take some pictures of my bike as it is. Friends are curious what I ride, and in cases like this I can show you why something like that wouldn't work (without reworking my fender)
What is that on the left fork?Posted 05-05-2010 at 08:50 AM by beefsalad
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it's a zip tie that shows fork stroke. I just rebuilt my new f4i forks (gold valves,springs,fluid) and it's helpful to know the stroke while setting up the front.
Posted 05-05-2010 at 02:21 PM by zaq123
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ahh, I've been curious how much my bike dives when I ride, guess that's a great way to find out! For now I'm going to stick with my blinkers, until such point that they fail again. Fabing up the license holder with few tools appropriate for the job turned it into a 'big' project for me. Fortunately now one of my neighbors has a plasma cutter, so the next go-round will be soooo much more easy.
Posted 05-05-2010 at 03:47 PM by beefsalad
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well, I've got more work cut out for me....I was let off with an "education" last night from an SAPD Traffic Safety occifer. missing 3 reflectors, space between signals isn't enough, and according to him my LED lights don't meet DOT spec either (but I'll be damned if I can find TXDOT or USDOT regulations that say he's right) And of course, these changes will require me to re-fabricate my fender eliminator/license plate holder.
Posted 05-07-2010 at 07:28 AM by beefsalad
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i will have to paraphrase this.....
here goes.
its a fuck up fucked up fucked up world dude, so fuckitPosted 05-13-2010 at 12:14 AM by REDROKR
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Well spoken sir, well spoken.
I've figured out a way to add the reflectors in the rear without having to cut a whole new fender...it won't be pretty, but it'll work. I actually am in contact with a LEO that is going to come over and work with me getting things closer to DOT-spec (fuckem if they expect everything to be 100%!)Posted 05-13-2010 at 06:04 PM by beefsalad
