Question on legality of turn signal blinking...

[sfalexi]

Ok.  I experimented with making a cheap version of Kuryakyn's run-turn-brake controller.  I didn't need all three functions, turn and one of the other two would work.   I'm going to try to illustrate this with text ... please bear with me.

Using a trailer conversion kit (to connect your car lights to a 4 prong adapter for trailer wiring), I can get brake/turn signal.  It comes on with the brakes, strobes with the turn signal, but then when you hit the brakes, it basically inverts the pattern of strobing.  Not an issue, except I also have turn signals beneath these extra lights....

So to illustrate, WITHOUT the brakes, turning on the left signal light, the left two signal lights (upper and lower) pattern would be as such...

.   O    .    O    .    O
.   O    .    O    .    O

Once i hit the brakes, the pattern becomes alternated, as such....

.   O -hitting brakes- O    .    O    .    O
.   O -hitting brakes- .    O    .    O    .

Am I inviting the police to pull me over by doing this?  Could it be considered "strobe lights" or some other illegal thing?  

Alexi

[malbojah]

You're looking to integrate the turn signals into the brake lights? I know in MA, the inspections rules state:

540 CMR 4.06: Procedures for Inspection of Motorcycles
Sec 11, paragrah F
Rear turn signals shall be red or amber mounted on each side of the vertical center
line at the same height and having a minimum horizontal separation distance (measured from
center of lamps) of nine inches


So, no it won't wok.

Don't ask why I know this or why I have it bookmarked

[sfalexi]

Grrr.  That answer coupled with more digging yields a big fat "NO" to using a taillight converter to change my upper running lights into run-turn-brake.  The alternating lights conflicts with the code.  ARRRGH!!!

Back to the drawing board.

Alexi

[TuffguyF4i]

So hook them up to pass inspection, than do what you want.  I hardly thing any cop will care as long as they are working.

[sfalexi]

So hook them up to pass inspection, than do what you want.  I hardly thing any cop will care as long as they are working.

I've already had a cop pull me over for my headlight modulator.  Sure I explained it to him, he checked it out and didn't call me back with a court date, but if they're willing to pull over for that, I bet anything FAINTLY resembling wig wags would get me.

Alexi

[Justin]

I've already had a cop pull me over for my headlight modulator.  Sure I explained it to him, he checked it out and didn't call me back with a court date, but if they're willing to pull over for that, I bet anything FAINTLY resembling wig wags would get me.

Alexi

While you are at it, you should make them blue and red as well  

[tjhess74]

alexi, are you in jawjuh?  ask a trooper and have him show/give you the legal reference/law that your set up would violate.  im assuming your turn signals are either amber or red?  i dont think its a problem

[TuffguyF4i]

I've already had a cop pull me over for my headlight modulator.  Sure I explained it to him, he checked it out and didn't call me back with a court date, but if they're willing to pull over for that, I bet anything FAINTLY resembling wig wags would get me.

Alexi

That is because you look like a cop with a headlight modulator.  You could put a blinding HID kit on the bike (not suggesting that) and get no police attention.  
I have rediculously bright 3W LED driving lights on my bike and have never been pulled...and ride in many states.

Turn signals are no big deal.  Are you sure you even need them in GA?  many states you don't.  

[sfalexi]

That is because you look like a cop with a headlight modulator.  You could put a blinding HID kit on the bike (not suggesting that) and get no police attention.  
I have rediculously bright 3W LED driving lights on my bike and have never been pulled...and ride in many states.

Turn signals are no big deal.  Are you sure you even need them in GA?  many states you don't.  

I know.  I prefer the modulator though.  It's saved me a few times with the obvious double take it makes people do.

I think, by what I see in GA, I think the law is you have to turn your blinker on about 1000 feet before a turn, and then turn in the opposite direction.  So I think the blinker in GA is to signal which direction you are going to turn AWAY from.  At least that's how it is by the interstate ramp by my house.

[tvpierce]

I have rediculously bright 3W LED driving lights on my bike and have never been pulled...and ride in many states.

I don't think driving lights are illegal in any state, are they?  

[Mydlyfkryzis]

.  Are you sure you even need them in GA?  many states you don't.  

In NJ you don't have to have turn signals. Hand signals are required then. HOWEVER, if you have turn signals, they have to work.

Weird how some rules work. For instance, if your car windshield is cracked, you fail inspection (when they used to check that, emissions only today). However, if you remove the windshield, wear goggles, you pass. So a windshield needs to be either intact or missing. There is a rule about the size and location of the crack, but I am talking big crack here.

[Justin]

In NJ you don't have to have turn signals. Hand signals are required then. HOWEVER, if you have turn signals, they have to work.

Weird how some rules work. For instance, if your car windshield is cracked, you fail inspection (when they used to check that, emissions only today). However, if you remove the windshield, wear goggles, you pass. So a windshield needs to be either intact or missing. There is a rule about the size and location of the crack, but I am talking big crack here.

In Colorado you don't have inspections, so you can drive a POS with parts falling off down the road  

[919]

In Colorado you don't have inspections, so you can drive a POS with parts falling off down the road  

Yup, those vehicles coming down out of the hill towns are treacherous.  Some friends of mine owned a few.  

[spd2918]

I've already had a cop pull me over for my headlight modulator.  Sure I explained it to him, he checked it out and didn't call me back with a court date, but if they're willing to pull over for that, I bet anything FAINTLY resembling wig wags would get me.

Alexi

Headlight modulators are 50 state legal.  If you get a ticket for it, just forward this info to the prosecutor:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm

[spd2918]

I don't think driving lights are illegal in any state, are they?  

It is a brightness issue.  For some reason you are not supposed to blind other drivers.