Replacing Turn Signal Stalks

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swooshdave

swooshdave

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I know this is going to be a boring post but I need something to kill the time.

On my Interstate the stalks are pretty rusty. The front ones have been shorted and the rears, well, the are a right mess.

I ordered four short stalks from AN. Yes, I know that there are long and short, I want the short ones.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


Left front, not too bad.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks

Right front, pretty ugly.

Here's the assembly order, with the turn signal between the two washers.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


Here's the tools I used.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


What I didn't realize is that the stalk is keyed. I twisted it out. That was bad.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


This one is pretty bad. If anyone has an extra laying around... actually hold on that, I need to look at the other three first.

Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


One down, three to go.These aren't that long so I don't know why someone shorted them.
 
I had stalks made from SS bolts. Hate rust. But then at this point in life probably not a worry!
...always run a ground wire into the housing and ground with a screw.
 
swooshdave said:
No room.
Click to expand...

There is just about enough room but patience is required as several attempts may be needed. 2 bullets will not fit but one wire and one bullet will just, if you still need space then feed the second wire through with no bullet.
 
I use a gauge wire and I think I fed the smaller first followed up by the larger on.
 
I bought a couple after market turn signal assemblies off fleabay. quality, pretty nice, and they came in at around $11 each (shipped) the only thing I could see different, no "lucas" script on either the housing or lens. to be honest, just bought them to strip them down for the stocks - had a couple rusty/pitted originals that needed replaced.
 
I got lucky a while ago and found a blister pack of 4 NOS Lucas blinkers on eBay. The kind of package that a Brit bike dealer would have on their peg board.
 
Just a tip to any readers, I have always bought or acquired Lucas flasher lenses which were fitted to the Older models of Land Rover Defenders.
 
Replacing Turn Signal Stalks



Replacing Turn Signal Stalks


All done for now. I won't worry about a ground wire unless I start having problems. But at least the stems are all the same length now. :confused:

The left rear was not Lucas. The stem was actually much smaller. But the stock stem worked just fine.

I will look out for two serviceable Lucas bodies at some point.
 
RGM sell long and short stems in stainless steel , so your Norton can last to the next millennium
 
As another FYI, and something to contemplate:

Long ago I tried to make my blinkers into running lights by replacing the single filament bulbs with dual filament 1157's. I found sockets that were exactly like the Lucas but with 2 contacts at my local auto parts store. Apparently it was a common design in the day. I managed to get 2 wires through the stalks and wire them up. But the current of 4 lamps being on brought the battery and charging system to its knees. Now that we have LED's out there, this would be feasible today. You only need 22 gauge wires and 2 would fit easily. Some day I'm going to revisit this, I think I still have the sockets somewhere.
 
if you have bought pattern indicators to use the stems you may be dissapointed

most pattern stems are not keyed in to the body
 
Frankie17 said:
if you have bought pattern indicators to use the stems you may be dissapointed

most pattern stems are not keyed in to the body
Click to expand...

The RGM stainless ones mentioned above are keyed.

One challenge I had fitting the indicators was the lack of room to tighten the nuts inside the indicator head. I eventually cut a slot in the the head of a ring spanner so I could slide the wife through it and tighten the nut.

Loctite is also recommended to avoid vibration induced rotation!
 
Frankie17 said:
if you have bought pattern indicators to use the stems you may be dissapointed

most pattern stems are not keyed in to the body
Click to expand...

Mine were from AN so fit perfectly. I didn’t have any problem with the inside nut. 9/16 box end fit perfectly.
 
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