Remoting the Direction Signal Indicator

[sherm]

This may be one of those "answer to a question never asked" things, but maybe not.

I'm one of those riders who occasionally forgets to cancel the turn signals - something that can be very dangerous. So I pursued making a gadget to help me remember. I call the gadget the "Link-a-Blink", LAB for short. What it does is remote the direction signal indicator to a more prominent location in the field of view, such as the lip of the windscreen.

The LAB can also be used by drag racers to remote the shift light found on some sportbikes.

I didn't want to come up with something that required modifying the bike in any way or connecting into the electrical system. The LAB is totally self contained.

Right now I have no productions plans, but I can pass a few out for a nominal charge if anyone is interested in trying it out.

Here are two video clips, and an instruction sheet, for those who might be interested.

http://www.shermworks.com/dirsigmovie.wmv
http://www.shermworks.com/shiftlight.wmv
http://www.shermworks.com/labinst.pdf

Regards,
Sherm@shermworks.com

[Smellyhound]

Interesting idea sherm. Any chance you could do something a little more ummm remote? Like a Bluetooth or Rf device? I like the idea, hate the thought of wires and stuff hanging out all over.. looks kind of tacky. Ubercool would be something like in the corner of the helmet sort of like a HUD (Heads Up Display). Maybe if this was done in conjunction with one of those back of the helmet signal displays? Anyhoo.. just some thoughts I had.

[XLonDL650]

You might want to consider wiring in a Piezo buzzer into your turn signal circuit if remembering to cancel your turn signals is a problem. Inexpensive, and you can find schematics on how to on the internet. However, some people find them annoying after a while.

[sherm]

Thanks for the feedback.

Smelly, good ideas but I'm trying to keep it as simple (and cheap) as possible.

Xlon, I tried a buzzer a few years back. It had to be pretty loud to hear it while moving. When stopped for a light the noise bothered me, and maybe the cagers next to me.

Smelly you are right that all those wires look kind of messy. I modified the gadget by attaching the LED to the battery case. Now the only wire showing is the one to the detector.
see: http://www.shermworks.com/dirsigx.jpg

[2tall]

My 1981 Kawasaki KZ1100 had self-canceling turn signals, fed by a signal from the odometer I believe.

It's funny how far we have progressed in 27 years , isn't it? :rolleyes:

[Godfather]

http://www.kisantech.com/application2.php Signal Minder automatically cancels your signal if you forget to. It is programable to 3 differemt time settings 10, 20, 30 seconds. also sets turn signals as running lights. Very Cool product!

[sherm]

The Link-a Blink cannot match the capabilities of Kisantech's stuff. You pretty much get what you pay for. The target price for the Link-a Blink is $15, free shipping. The Kisantech Signal Minder runs $110 to $120.

BUT, the Link-a Blink can be used to remote the shift light on crotch rockets, and it can be moved from one bike to another in a minute or two. (For those who hate to read, the Signal Minder installation manual is 38 pages long vs one page for the Link-a Blink.)

Regards,
Sherm

[ronnielyons]

I trained myself to punch the turn signal button after every turn...:confused:

[maggot]

My 1981 Kawasaki KZ1100 had self-canceling turn signals, fed by a signal from the odometer I believe.

It's funny how far we have progressed in 27 years , isn't it? :rolleyes:

I had a 99 VStar that would cancel the signals at I believe 12 seconds or around 200 meters.
I'm surprised all bikes don't have this.

Ken

[msi1259]

Couldn't a length of optical fiber do the same thing? Run the small plastic fiber down into the front turn signals, and it should be very bright. Coloured plastic filters could be added to make it yellow or red. E.g.: http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Jacketed.htm (scroll down to LG64-25) or maybe a used audio/video fiber (i.e. single fiber Toslink)

[sherm]

Optical fibers coupled to the direction signal lights (as opposed to the direction signal indicator) might work. Depends on how much light you can couple to the fibers. What comes out the other end is going to be slightly less than what goes in. Could be hard to see in bright sunlight. Anyway, its easy enough for anyone to try.

My gadget amplifies the light coming from the signal indicator lamp, so the remote LED is quite bright.

All comments appreciated.

Regards,
Sherm

[isaac004]

I had a 99 VStar that would cancel the signals at I believe 12 seconds or around 200 meters.
I'm surprised all bikes don't have this.

Ken

My Dad's early 90's BMW K100RS did the same thing too, some algorithm based on speed and time, so it didn't matter if you sat at the stop light for 5 minutes with your blinkers on, it would turn off a 5 seconds or so after the turn was completed. Puzzling...you would think BMW would continue to offer that feature.