Why do this? Many people, including me, complain about the size of the stock turn
signals, from how far they stick out to how big and bulky they are, both front and back. Most go the aftermarket route but
these are usually much less bright than any stock turn signal. I opted to go to Buells because they have shorter stalk, are
slightly less tall, and much less bulky than originals and are pretty cool looking with their smoke clear outer lens and amber
inner lens. It's been noted that these are actually brighter than the stock GS turn signals by other GS riders. They are also
very cheap-$7/each new at Harley-Davidson/Buell dealer and are usually in stock. All newer Buells use the same turn
signals; the part numbers are not model dependent. You could adapt these instructions (making necessary adjustments)
to any stock turn signal. Also, you may want to disconnect battery to do this work, I chose not to.
1. With bike on centerstand (or otherwise keep bike vertical) find a suitable place on the rear fender
to put the new turn signals. This installation coincided with my wanting to redo my fenderectomy even further so the higher
the better. I also wanted to minimize how far they would stick out. I chose to put them in the small recess just in front
of where the tool kit goes in the rear inner fender; several inches back, an inch up and about 1/2" in from stock location.
2. Remove nut from back of existing turn signal. Cut wires leaving about a 4" pigtail and
pull signal out. You have to splice the new signals into the existing wires since the new signals only have ~6" pigtail
on them. They come with male bullet conectors so you'll have to buy some 16-14 size female bullet connectors for existing
wires.
3. Drill a 3/8" hole. Be careful about pushing on the bike; make sure the bike is stable while
you drill. The Buell signal has a 10mm threaded hollow shaft where the wires run and a 4mm locator pin just back from
that used to keep signal horizontal. The 3/8" hole was a super snug fit for the 10mm shaft, and combined with the locking
washer and nut on back side I opted to just cut the plastic locator pin off (quite easy with a sharp knife). I drilled a pilot
hole first to aid in making the holes same on both sides. Make sure you drill the other side in same location.
4. Slide new signal in hole. Slide locking washer and nut over wires, onto shaft and tighten down, making
sure the signal is horizontal.
5. Connect the Buell Black wire to the GS black/white wire (ground) and the Buell blue wire to the GS
black wire.
6. Check signal operation.
Note: The bulbs that come with the Buell turn signals are different wattage than stock GS and will make
the signal blink faster than before. I've been told this will not harm anything-leave them as is at your own risk. All
it takes is a Tridon 552 generic relay flasher, I believe. Available at any auto parts store. About $2-$3.
Another
alternative is to replace bulb with one that matches the GS stock bulb but in amber. This will require you to remove the inner
amber lens of Buell signal in order to fit the physically larger GS bulb.
7. Repeat other side
The left and right part numbers for the rear Buell signals are different but the
actual units are the same.
Left Rear Turn Signal-p/n Y0526.K
Right Rear Turn Signal-p/n Y0527.K
You'll also need the serrated washer, p/n B1000.4z and the thin nut, p/n d1000.4fz (you'll need
one each per signal).
You may want to save the rear stock signals to swap the rears to the front as this is a good way to
reduce the width up front. or check the Buell front install page.
Some that have done the Buell turn signal swap have had
a problem where the blinker turns on steady without blinking. It was discovered that it had to do with not having
enough draw across the flasher unit. By installing a new generic flasher, available from Wal-Mart for about $2, (It's
just a round cylinder with two connectors, it's hidden behind the plastic anyway) solved the problem, or install the same
one as mentioned above.
