TECH: U.S. Turn-signal UPDATE

[GT-Rx]

Date: March 9, 2009
Contact: Technical Services
Subject: Stelvio Turn Signals

Together with our colleagues in Italy, Moto Guzzi USA has reached an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the rear view mirror / turn signal component for the Stelvio model. The problem being addressed is regarding the turn signal lens. As installed, currently available rearview mirrors, meet all DOT turn signal lens requirements, but do not have the proper DOT identification molded into the lens.
The agreement consists of two parts; first that the rearview mirror / turn signal components already in the US, either in Spare Parts stock, with the dealers or installed on a motorcycle may be used without further concern; second, that all future production of the turn signal lens will have proper DOT identification.

If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Technical Services Representative.

Best regards,
Aftersales Group
Moto Guzzi USA

[Mike.C]

Bureaucratic BS - Gotta love it and role with it or you will go mad trying to understand why they do it.

[John in PA]

Shucks! And here I already changed mine out for the Non-US approved Euro version with 1200 Sport mirrors, and turn signals integral with the bodywork. ( If anyone else wants to, MPH in Houston has kits already configured and in stock.) Pretty much plug and play.

[pauldaytona]

The USA could save a lot of money for it's citizens if they just approved the euro approved things, but that would be to easy, won't it?

[RJVB]

Most of all, it'd be the beginning of the end for the US, and invalidate too many predictions of too many sci-fi novels

[StormShearon]

But then in fairness, Europe would have to approve all of our stupid rules, and where would that get all the beaurocrats? Out of jobs and having to work at real jobs for a change. Can't have that - too many would starve.

[kwn306]

John in PA wrote:

Shucks! And here I already changed mine out for the Non-US approved Euro version with 1200 Sport mirrors, and turn signals integral with the bodywork. ( If anyone else wants to, MPH in Houston has kits already configured and in stock.) Pretty much plug and play.

Do you know whether you can use both sets of lights at the same time or would that overload the flasher/circuit....they do make HD units though or does Luigi use some one of a kind off brand flasher.

As a commuter I like all the lights I can get to let the cages know what my intensions are. If they were run in series they would flash at the same time, in parallel on alternate times. I think.................do I have that right/wrong?

[RJVB]

You probably have it right/left There'd be an imperceptibly small interval between the lights. They're not LEDs, I suppose, but if you run both you could use LED replacement bulbs to reduce power draw — and since resistances mounted in series add, you might even get a reasonable frequency without resorting to additional correcting resistances.

[kwn306]

RJVB wrote:

You probably have it right/left There'd be an imperceptibly small interval between the lights. They're not LEDs, I suppose, but if you run both you could use LED replacement bulbs to reduce power draw — and since resistances mounted in series add, you might even get a reasonable frequency without resorting to additional correcting resistances.

If using LED's you would need an electronic flasher and then add a resistance to it. I had to do that on my Concours. If using regular bulbs you would just have to change out the flasher to a HD like you would use when trailering (adding a set of lights). I like the idea of adding additional lights to the front (turn signals) I would just want them to alternately flash to get someone's attention.

[Wayne Orwig]

The Stelvio flasher is the electronic dashboard. It is not a mechanical flasher.

So, a second set of lights or LED type may be a non issue.

OR.
The extra load may toast the electronic driving the bulb.
OR.
It appears it is set up to detect a bad bulb. So it may give and error code.


But, I'll bet you could add two signals on each side. Use an incadescent for one set and LED for the other. Wire the LED one to +12 instead of ground. It would always be on, as a running light. And it would flash opposite of the incandescent.