turn signal issues

I currently have an 05 R6 Raven and put flush mount LED turn signals and and integrated LED tail light. I used an automotive electronic flasher relay temporarily to help with the blink rate but Im still having some issues. Basically the signals are flashing like the hazards on a car. It is very minimal (can barely tell on the tail light b/c its so minimal, but the fronts is a little more noticeable). I ordered an actual motorcycle flasher relay so hopefully that will do it, but you guys have any other ideas what could fix it if that doesnt? I tried using the resistors that came with the tail light but the instructions said to connect the resistor from the turn signal + to the ground... not inline with the power... which i'm not really used to doing. This seemed to make the resistor get a little warmer than I would have liked... Let me know what you guys think. KennyKenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

The resistor is supposed to connect in parallel with the bulb.  It is going to get a bit warm.  clamping it to a piece of flat metal that is not a piece of the outer body will help dissapate the heat.  An old fashioned flasher is simply a self resetting circuit breaker.  The current draw from the light bulb heats up the evement in the flasher, then it opens, cools down and closes, heats up and opens.  The current draw of an LED is not enough to heat the element.  The resistor paralleled across the bulb provides the current draw that the flasher needs to see in order for it to work.  Resistance = Heat. 

ok, that makes sense... so now I know why its doing it, but how the hell do i fix it... lol. Im hoping it will be as easy as putting in the new flasher relay, but something tells me its not b/c like you said, its basically going to be the same thing.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

Did you connect the resistor across the bulb as they suggested in the instructions?  If so, what was it doing then?

i actually figured it out. the resistor was causing it to slow down, but i still had backfeeding to the signal indicators, etc. What I found out was wrong was the front flush LED signals I bought (cheap off ebay) were wired in a way to attempt to make a 2 wire LED function as park lights and turn signals. they did this by connected the pos from the LED to the parking light wire and the neg to the turn signal wire, not to the ground. This was causing my backfeed and screwing with the entire flasher system. I re-pinned the plug and everything came right into line. I used a quick automotive flasher relay for now hardwired in, but once I get the correct relay I'll switch that out. then I get to do it all over again when I add the integrated/euro style headlight turn signals.. dogh. Thanks for the help though... i always send to figure out my own issues as soon as I post it on here.. lol.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205