Today, I was installing some new LED turn signals. Since they are polar, I had to keep testing them to make sure i had the wiring right. after getting the left side done, I was testing the right side's wires. Poof, no more lights and a slight smell of hot metal. Did i blow a fuse or is it my signal switch?
Either way, I'm illegal for the road 

no more signal lights or no lights at all? well, first thigns first, disconnect thsoe lights, check fuses. but if you wired one in backwards ( which im thinking you did.) you could have done both) check fuses, but find per instructions the right wiring. which is pos/neg. etc test on battery or bike or however. ( +12v supply) but the hot metal smell makes me think you melted a light

still have headlight and brake lights, which function as normal. Hi/low, and running/braking. no turn signals front or back, left or right though.

I would check and replace the flasher as needed

With what sort of flasher? I don't know numbers for anything really, just general principles.

Any flasher would work. But first I would test the 12v coming into the flasher and out. If no voltage is coming in the flasher, then check wiring or fuse(s). If there is voltage coming in but with the turn signals on, no V is coming out, then replace the flasher.

You're

Quote from: Buckeye4Life on September 09, 2012, 08:47:10 PM
With what sort of flasher? I don't know numbers for anything really, just general principles.

You're in Ohio - home of Pinwall Cycles. they are one of the best bike breakers around. Always on ebay. Call them and order a GS500 flasher. Order a left hand control just to be safe.

Hot metal smell would be fried wires or turn signal switch. Use your nose and sniff your bike to locate the source of the odor.

You can still ride with no signals legally in the day time. Riding at night with no signals I am not positive of BUT can get you killed..so legal or not just don't do it.
Hand signals are legal to use in the daytime.
Check your biker signals...you should (if you don't know them already)learn them!

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2009/05/19/safety/motorcycle-group-riding-signals-motorcycle-safety-month/

On a side note ,I often use hand signals in the day IN ADDITION TO the flashers. If someone is following me a little to closely or gaining on me, I will put a hand signal out so they can get a double signal. Sometime they don't get the flasher,but a hand out they do. Sometimes you as a bike rider do not get a second chance....So you should make it count the 1st time.
learn it live it love it = http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/mop0001.pdf
-CS

Quote from: Buckeye4Life on September 09, 2012, 07:42:18 PM
Today, I was installing some new LED turn signals. Since they are polar, I had to keep testing them to make sure i had the wiring right. after getting the left side done, I was testing the right side's wires. Poof, no more lights and a slight smell of hot metal. Did i blow a fuse or is it my signal switch?
Either way, I'm illegal for the road 

+1 on what Adidasguy said.  They are in NE Ohio in Massillon near Canton.

Also, there is only 1 fuse on the GS500, and it's under the cover, not the one that's visible.  That's the spare.  If no electricity, check the fuse.  If some electricity, fuse is fine.

the only thing that i could smell was coming from right by the flasher and the fuse

alright so I replaced the fuse and no change. I don't have a voltage tester, so i can't check out my flasher relay. ugh i hate electrical work 

Voltmeeters are cheap.  Bought mine at Pep Boys.  Best $20 I ever spent.  Get a digital one.  Not sure if there are dial ones out there anymore mainstream.

oh the things you think you'll never need when you move for college but end up needing 2 weeks later...

Quote from: adidasguy on September 09, 2012, 09:11:04 PM
You're

Quote from: Buckeye4Life on September 09, 2012, 08:47:10 PM
With what sort of flasher? I don't know numbers for anything really, just general principles.

You're in Ohio - home of Pinwall Cycles. they are one of the best bike breakers around. Always on ebay. Call them and order a GS500 flasher. Order a left hand control just to be safe.

Hot metal smell would be fried wires or turn signal switch. Use your nose and sniff your bike to locate the source of the odor.

Could it be the wiring? i mean, with fuses, good fuses should have blown before the wires fry right?

Quote from: Buckeye4Life on September 10, 2012, 07:06:41 AM

Quote from: adidasguy on September 09, 2012, 09:11:04 PM
You're

Quote from: Buckeye4Life on September 09, 2012, 08:47:10 PM
With what sort of flasher? I don't know numbers for anything really, just general principles.

You're in Ohio - home of Pinwall Cycles. they are one of the best bike breakers around. Always on ebay. Call them and order a GS500 flasher. Order a left hand control just to be safe.

Hot metal smell would be fried wires or turn signal switch. Use your nose and sniff your bike to locate the source of the odor.

Could it be the wiring? i mean, with fuses, good fuses should have blown before the wires fry right?

I really doubt that it is going to be the wiring. You don't pull enough amps to melt the insulation off and melt the wire in two. I've got a flasher here if you want it. Can have it shipped today or tomorrow

that would be fantastic. how much do i owe you? I'll pm you my address

$10 shipped. I'm getting ready to leave the house in a bit and drop off all my other packages for shipping so check your PM for the paypal address

If the fuse blew, you'd have no power to anything. Sounds like the flasher took a crap. Because of the small draw by the LED's, the flasher would have been moving really fast. If you put another mechanical flasher on there (read OEM flasher) you'll probably do the same thing. Take your burnt one to the local auto parts store and get an electronic flasher with the same pin out that looks like you could mount back where that on came off. Just my opinion!

Smell of hot metal is a short.
Low current of LEDs will not fry a flasher. After all, NO current is the turn signals off. A little current would make some flashers think a bulb was out and blink twice as fast. It won't fry a flasher.

Most likely you pinched a wire or scraped through the insulation. The wires go through the center steel bolt of the turn signals. Pull on them and you can easily scrape through the insulation.

The flasher could now be toast due to a direct short.

Before turning on the flashers again, disconnect all of them. Test each one with a 9v battery. They should come on. It is possible one has a short inside of it. Check all wires very carefully. Look for the fried wire. The smell of hot metal is a wire burning in two.

i don't have the wires of the rear turn signals left at all. also, the smell of hot metal didn't persist. it was just for a second or two and was gone.