LED Turn Signals

[deuce17EX]

Ok, I hate to beat a dead horse, but I'm new to the CB1100 and want to upgrade the turn signals. From all of my researching on the web and this forum, it seems I can conclude the following:

1. The Posh Relay is unobtainable now, and is the only thing that truly fixes the hyperflashing.
2. Simple flasher relays from everywhere else are insufficient or don't hold up.
3. In-line resistors are also a no-go.

I have a 2017 EX and I just tried putting an LED bulb in and it hyperflashes. I believe one member indicated otherwise, but he was in Finland??

Amazon in Australia had 4 of the Posh relays, but they won't ship to America.

Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone with a 2017 do this?

The other thing that confuses me is I went on partzilla to compare the 2017 EX to the RS, and they indicate the same turn signals and the same factory relay. But I'm pretty sure most RS models I have seen online have the skinny LED signals, so I'm at a loss at this point.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[deuce17EX]

Thanks for the reply!

So I just need to figure out which two wires to interrupt and connect them to that flasher and secure it down?

 

[mvk24_imp]

I think someone on here has definitely posted about using resistors that they wired in line. I could have sworn I've seen photos of their process.

It may have been on one of my write ups about when I did my micro LED conversion.

Personally I didn't mind the hyper flash especially with the micro turn signals because I think it catches other drivers attention better so I have not made any attempts to stop it.

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

 

[deuce17EX]

its the ones that go TO the turn signal switch, the power IN. No, i don't know what color that is mines stock and never looked into it on THIS bike. I did just peek at the microfiche and it has a square, multi pin relay (thanks honda) so that one i listed prob wont work.

(see item 9) https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/2017/cb1100ca-ac-cb100ca/wire-harness

why wont resistors work? theres def room in the back under the seat for it?

I'm pretty sure I saw a few posts where the resistors weren't cutting it for whatever reason. Maybe heat, efficacy, etc. So then the $100 was coughed up for the Posh unit and everyone was soaring on rainbows again.
If I were to go the resistor route, does each signal require a resistor soldered in-line? Is the resistor then rated to the same specs as the bulb wattage or is it more complex than that?

 

[The Gecko_imp]

Why cutting wires when all you need is to replace the bulbs in the CB’s turn lights with LED bulbs which fit straight in, mechanically and elec.
I like your user name.

 

[The Gecko_imp]

Not a sin, but the CB’s turn signals look great on this bike. Compare this to the oem turn signals of a Z900 RS.

 

[deuce17EX]

Why cutting wires when all you need is to replace the bulbs in the CB’s turn lights with LED bulbs which fit straight in, mechanically and elec.
I like your user name.

I find the turn signal housing assemblies a little too.....how do I put this.....HUGE. I prefer something like what's on the RS models. Or a smaller bullet shape.

 

[deuce17EX]

im not 100% sure what you are looking for but i have a set of these on a bike and they are really nice. also no need for a flasher change as they use incandescent bulbs. would recommend. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2351957109...qLNdSLW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks for the offer, but I'm looking for an LED setup.

 

[mvk24_imp]

Why cutting wires when all you need is to replace the bulbs in the CB’s turn lights with LED bulbs which fit straight in, mechanically and elec.
I like your user name.

I find the turn signal housing assemblies a little too.....how do I put this.....HUGE. I prefer something like what's on the RS models. Or a smaller bullet shape.

I find the turn signal housing assemblies a little too.....how do I put this.....HUGE. I prefer something like what's on the RS models. Or a smaller bullet shape. I'm with deuce on this one.

I purposely went to the micro LED signals because the factory turn signals were not only large and gawky IMO but were also big enough that they interfered with aftermarket saddle bags that I use.

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

 

[deuce17EX]

Im not selling them lol. i like them because they are visible, flashing, from the side and extremely well made. either way, the resistor advice i gave is sound.

LOL....D'oh! Sorry for the misread! I'll check into wiring in the resistors. I saw revzilla sells a setup pretty cheap. I have to check the wattage of the current bulb. And I still need to decide on a turn signal to buy. Thanks again!

 

[deuce17EX]

I haven't taken the front turn signals apart yet, but do I need to buy front signals that have three wires coming out of them? Is that how they become the running lights as it is hooked into the headlight?

 

[mvk24_imp]

I haven't taken the front turn signals apart yet, but do I need to buy front signals that have three wires coming out of them? Is that how they become the running lights as it is hooked into the headlight?

Also unless you want to modify/drill out, etc the mounting holes for the turn signals they are an odd thread size. I remember it took me quite awhile to find LED turn signals that came in the factory thread size because I wanted to use the factory mounting locations.

I have a write up here somewhere for my micro led conversion that has the size specified. I dont remember if its an 8mm, 7mm, 6mm, etc thread off the top of my head. I used a few metal and rubber washers in the rear to mount them in the rear.

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

 

[pekingduck]

The CB1100 turn signal system is different from older 3-wire/running light systems.
Looking at the shop manual, the front turn signals on all 2013, 2014, and 2017 models are only 2 wire. One wire goes to ground, the other goes to the turn signal/position light relay, which uses a total of 8 wires (like on the POSH units).

The relay apparently lets the front filament run at lower voltage as a running light, then at battery voltage as a turn signal, or in the emergency flasher mode. No wonder other aftermarket flashers generally can't work.

The wiring diagram says the front signals are 21 watts, and, oddly, the rears are 15 watt, with a part number specific to CB1100s. Weird.

The screws that hold the turn signals are 6mm.

 

[Tev62]

There are variations in other markets. My 2017MY CB1100EX does not have the front running lights feature but my now gone 2016 Africa Twin did. I see Triumph have adopted them on the 2024 Tiger 900's and my '23 GS has them. pekingduck's two wire explanation would be an easy way for Honda to programme this feature with the same wiring for different markets.

 

[pekingduck]

I just checked the voltage to the front turn signal, and it is 12+ volts on turnsignal, and 4.5 volts on running light. And with one front bulb out, it does not hyperflash on the 4-way flasher mode - the remaining 3 flash at the same intensity/rate as if all 4 bulbs were good.

Around 1975, when the first running light/turn signals appeared, the running lights just stayed on when the turn signal blinked brighter. Not enough contrast, so later ones turned off the running light for that side as the blinker went on.

But that required a triple throw dual position switch (DP3T?), all inside the much larger handlebar switch. Honda's new method also allows for a 4-way flasher, and removing a couple feet of wiring from each front signal and harness.

 

[deuce17EX]

So is it safe to assume that wiring in a couple of resistors will not be enough to convert this bike to an LED setup?

Looks like there is an updated Posh Relay on webike.... perhaps that is the route to go? I was hoping to not have to spend $87 for it!

Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

[deuce17EX]

i have to ask: why so hell-bent on an LED vs an incandescent?

I prefer their crisp operation, electrical efficiency, and want to match my LED headlight and taillight.

If I'm going to switch them out I might as well upgrade the technology.

 

[deuce17EX]

cool. good luck w it, hope it works out. this will be interesting to see how this gets resolved.

Thanks. I hope I can get it to work as well. If not, back to bulbs, but in a housing I can fit in my hand!

 

[deuce17EX]

can relate, why i recommended the ones i did. for future reference, these are them on my 78 KZ650. they are bright, too. and i'm running them thru a no load led flasher, so they are quick to respond unlike an old-school thermal relay.

So your flashers are a bulb but you wired in an LED flasher? What does that do to the bulb action?

 

[Lord Popgun]

Guys,

We went over this a while back. I posted pictures from my O’scope showing operation of the voltage from the turn signal ‘relay’. It is not a relay. It is a solid state device.

The running lights and turn signals use a pulsed DC (12 v). I don’t remember the timing, but it’s on the scope pics. Anyway, the duty cycle is such that it reads the 4.5v that Dubs read with a meter and the lights are dimmer than when turn signal is flashing. With a pulsed voltage the average voltage is lower that peak voltage.

When you select a turn signal, The duty cycle changes and the pulses are on for .5 sec and off for .5 second IIRC.

Thread with scope pics: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=16581&pid=291206#pid291206