Front Turn Signals Replacement - Input

[SleekStreak]

I need some input on front turn signal replacement. I talked to a couple of you via email, but I figured I'd put this out there for general consumption since I still have a few open questions before I do this. I have the following parts to replace my front turn signals:

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/de...13&model_ID=84
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/de...840&model_ID=0

I've been told the best way to do the replacement is to take the headlight housing off and to my wire splicing (running wire grounding) inside the headlight casing.

My main concern is this:

The stock turn signals are one big unit, wires permanently attached and run through a black plastic casing. If I replace them with these bullet lights and run the bullet lights' wires up into the headlight casing, I'm them going to have exposed wiring which I can only assume I'll have to just tape up with electrical tape. I'm worried this is going to look very bad... very cheap... very ghetto.

Am I missing something here? Those of you who have replaced your stock front signals, can you give me some input as to your experiences? The more details the more appreciated. Thanks.

[Xlr8n]

You could go to an electrical supply outlet and pick up some 2 or 3 strand wire already encased in an outer sheath similar to what you have. Or, if you're pretty sure you're not going back to stock and you don't mind cutting the factory piece, you could splice it right at the base of the new signal using the existing wiring and cover the splice with shrink wrap tubing and tuck the splice right inside the new light housing having only the factory wiring exposed. Either way would work out well.

[trikebubble]

I iinstalled small bullet lights as my front signals last year. I fabbed up my own brackets, but they are basically like the KewlMetal ones. I also disabled the front running light circuit. (THe bullet lights I purchased can not handle the load)
I shrinkwrapped the wires and ran them into the headlight housing. If it is done cleanly (is that a word) it will look just fien, and un-ghetto.
However, as I type I have been seriously considering replacing the whole set up with that new Kuryakyn light bar with integrated LED signals.
The Kuryakyn light bar - http://customdynamics.com/driving_light_bar.htm

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

If it is done cleanly (is that a word) it will look just fien, and un-ghetto.

Well yes, 'cleanly' is a word, but 'fien' and 'un-ghetto' I'm not so sure about!

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

Well yes, 'cleanly' is a word, but 'fien' and 'un-ghetto' I'm not so sure about!

fien - like "fine" but infinately cooler. Similar to "phat"
un-ghetto - opposite of "ghetto"

[grandpawmoses]

Walmart (& every auto parts store) sells a black ribbed plastic wire cover in various sizes. A little heat shrink tubing at the end dresses it up nicely.

[Jimmy40741]

I am a little confused as to what your concern is here. It appears as if the turn signals you are using are single filiment (only one wire) so you are going to have one wire that you are not using for sure, the running light wire. On the ground, first check to see if your lights will ground through the bracket, if they do then you don't need the ground wire. In that case you will have two wires you won't be using, they can be hidden inside the covering.

Here is what to do. Push the black plastic covering back off the wires from the turn signal side and cut all three close to turn signal. Wrap the end of your ground and running light wires with a little tape to make sure they don't contact each other (that is if you don't need the ground). Mount your light to the bracket and connect your turn signal wire. Now slide the covering up over all the wire to the base of your turn signals, this will hide everything and look real clean.

If the lights won't ground through the bracket and you can get the ground wire up into the light then that will look the best, it will be inside the covering just like the turn signal wire. But I can't tell from the pic if they will or not. If they won't, just slip the ground wire around the threaded part below the bracket and tighten the nut so the wire is between the bracket and the nut, this will ground your lights. And you should only have a tiny bit of wire showing outside the covering.

Hope this helps.

[Illus]

I tend to agree with everybody else, if you do it right, one way or the other, it won't looks bad. Just get a wrap for the wires, or some heat shrink, and properly route the wires so they aren't noticable. Look at the ZOOM pictures of the brackets on the website, they have the wires covered pretty well. Or you could go with a stainless braided sleeve.

[anamosity]

heres what you need, I have the rear version, love it, bright as hell, clean looking, and very functional. I will be getting the matching fronts!

http://customdynamics.com/custom_led_turn_signals.htm

[TMac]

1 week follow-up: In Woodbury (east side of Twin Cities for non-locals), we've got ~20" of fresh snow on the ground after two storms, one that just dumped its load yesterday. Frustrated by the sudden change in a mild winter? Yes.

My point? Don't really have one but I'm still envisioning the wide smile and "Whoo-HOOO!!!!!!"s I was yelling inside my helmet from 55 degrees just 7 days ago, which in and of itself is something we can ALL raise a toast to on this glorious day of St. Patrick.

Slainte, cheers and God bless, all!
TMac