turn signal switch mod ZL600

[jmassengill]

I have had my barn find ZL600 running since the first of May and I noticed that one of the features that I missed from my 2004 FSC600 Honda Silverwing was the ability to cancel the turn signals by pushing in the middle of the turn signal switch. I found I missed this one feature of a newer bike more than all the others that I miss (such as fuel injection). I fixed my problem with the left hand switch assembly from a 1991 EX500 Kawasaki. It has all the correct switches and the wiring harness is wired the same as the ZL600 left hand switch assembly and will plug in to the ZL600 harness with no problem. The only problem I have had is that the choke cable is about 4 inches too short to connect to my choke connection on the carbs. I just haven't taken the time to see if the old choke cable will fit on the new left hand switch assembly. Other than the problem with the choke cable, this mod gave my 23 year old motorcycle a much needed upgrade for not much cash outlay.

[vinny]

Good thinking - thats what I like about this forum - a willingness to experiment and share the results.
Never had indicators that cancel like that - only had Old School Kawasakis.:headbang:

[Wstar425]

I hear your pain!

On the Hondas of the day they ACTUALLY had self canceling turn signals, believe it or not. And the three that I have all still work, so they must have been pretty rock solid builds.

I find myself driving the ZL around with my turn signal on all the time. My full face covers the headlight bucket. Not very safe, I am always wondering why people are pulling out in front of me! Oops!

[zlMark]

My first non-kawasaki bike I have owned..The Venture has self-cancelling. I was so happy I peed myself when I found it had them. The 900 is terrible cause you caqn't see the indicator lights unless it's night time

[TheBigBeasty]

That's really cool. You mentioned the choke cable; is the choke on the handlebar on the '86 ZLZ600 or were you just looking to make use of the handlebar choke on the EX500 controls? I'd love to do a swap out like that on my '96.

[jmassengill]

The ZL600 has the same type of choke on the left hand controlls but the part where the cable goes into the controlls on the EX500 is a bit different...

[Wstar425]

My 83 V65 turn signal is on a timer. I usually have to turn it on at least twice, or maybe three times depending on how much notice I am giving. So, in a way, that is almost as unhandy as not having the cancel feature.

The 84 and newer have some kind of turn signal cancel relay tied into the speedo and the steering. The signal will stay on until you turn or get up to 35 mph I believe, something like that anywya. It works really well.

My son learned to ride street on a V30, that has no cancel t/s so he is used to turning them off and does not mind. I pretty much forget. My bud with the VN2000 will get on my a$$ and honk, but my wife pretty much just sets back there and waits for me to get killed by someone expecting me to turn. No wonder she upped my life insurance a while back!

The 98 Shadow has no cancel either. I find it hard to believe that new bikes do not have this as the technology was obviously avaliable back in the 80's at least. Evidently, they can put on an extra piece of chrome by leaving that off. I guess once you are used to it, not so bad, but at least one other person is thinking like me.

[TheBigBeasty]

Gotcha. On the '96 the choke is mounted on the carbs as a 3 position lever. Well, I just added another mod to my list. Thanks for the info! :headbang:

[kawboy]

Gotcha. On the '96 the choke is mounted on the carbs as a 3 position lever. Well, I just added another mod to my list. Thanks for the info! :headbang:

hmmm... I'd like to remove the choke cable on my 1000 and put a knob at the carbs.

[Hoss]

hmmm... I'd like to remove the choke cable on my 1000 and put a knob at the carbs.

My cable is broken, so I just reach next to the tank (the spot where the cable connects on the 900 is easy to reach from the top) She usually doesn't need choke for more than a few seconds, so its all good.

[jmassengill]

I'm posting a photo of the EX500 Left Turn Signal Switch just in case is anyone is curious as to how it turned out. I did have to trim down a plastic round piece off the inside of the switch housing because the EX500 Handle bars must have a hole for the front piece of the switch to go in when attached so it won't spin around.