BMW
MOTORCYCLE 6V, 12V MECHANICAL FLASHER REPLACEMENT
If you have a pre - 70's BMW motorcycle
equipped with the bar-end Hella turn signals. This system originally used a 6V
2 terminal mechanical flasher. One terminal connects to the switched 6V supply and
the other terminal connects, via the turn signal switch to the left or right
blinker bulb. As with all good vintage parts, they wear out. When I was looking
for a flasher for my 1967 R69S, it was not the easiest item to locate. After
trying one and not being too satisfied, I decided to build my own solid state
flasher. I have designed a solid state two terminal flasher that will work with
the 6V or 12V /2 conversions. You can connect to either voltage with no
modifications (same flash rate). I have a designed a custom enclosure that
makes mounting in the headlamp a breeze. Simply connect it to one of the
headlamp mounting bolts that extend into the headlamp. The flasher only
requires the hookup of two wires (part of the unit). The red wire is of the right
length to connect directly to terminal 15. The black wire connects to the
blinker switch. A blinker switch wire is normally present in the headlamp. You
connect to this to the black wire coming out of the flasher by soldering the
wires together and covering with tape or heat shrink, or by installing male or
female terminals.
Here
is the solid state flasher
This
is the custom housing. The tab has a bend to allow a nice fit into the headlamp
Here
is a photo of the flasher installed in the headlamp.
If you would like to purchase one, contact
me via email (beemererik@bellsouth.net)
I have had some purchases for non-BMW
applications, one of interest was a 1970 Moto Guzzi, and another was for an
after market turn signal system for a 1928 Packard automobile. The Moto Guzzi
utilized the traditional Hella bar end turn signals and was a piece of cake.
Simply follow the BMW wiring diagram. The Packard had a couple of
complications, which at first were daunting, but turned out to be pretty
simple. This was my first exposure to antique automobiles and the positive
ground electrical system. Positive ground electrical systems simply have the
positive terminal of the battery connected to the frame (chassis), where modern
vehicles have the negative terminal of the battery connected to the frame.
Well, this is an easy problem; simply reverse the wires on the flasher as this
is a solid state circuit and polarity sensitive. Because I specifically
designed the flasher housing for BMW headlamp mounting, it was time to back up
a bit for other applications. I had looked into another housing prior to going
with a custom design for BMW motorcycles. The first housing was black plastic
with the following dimensions: ~1.3"x1.55" and 0.8" tall. I
initially discarded this as an option as there was no easy mounting system.
However, after reviewing the needs for the '28 Packard, this seemed like a
perfect match. For applications that do not need the headlamp mounting with the
angled bracket, this is a very nice enclosure that is not application specific.
Just attach some two-sided tape and you can secure it wherever you want. The
photo below shows this housing.
Here is a photo of the circuit mounted in
the housing
If you have a specific application, I would be more than happy to go over you wiring diagram with you. Early electrical systems were not complicated and this will probably work on anything you have! Contact me with what you are trying to do, I am always interested in new systems. If you have a application that needs its own special housing, lets talk. I am a collector, restorer, and know what it is like to need a specific item for vintage/antique vehicles.
My Background: I am Erik Bahl, an electrical
engineer who specializes in power supply design. I have been into vintage BMW's
since the mid-80's. I am interested in prewar BMW's so let me know if you have
one to sell (parts also). I restore vintage/antique BMW's as well as antique
jukes.
Click on the link below for installation
instructions
This is the link to my latest BMW
restoration