Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

V-Strom specific discussion => V-Strom specific discussion => Topic started by: Keith60 on May 18, 2020, 14:39:10

Title: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Keith60 on May 18, 2020, 14:39:10
I know it’s been discussed many times in the past at how poor the stock indicators are.  But I think an update still might help members

I studied the forum for as much informations as I could then decided to put sticky mirrored tape on the inside to act as a reflector!  Good improvement, there is no doubt, though there’s is a slight orange showing from the colour of the build, through the lens when off, which some members didn’t like.  It didn’t bother me, but I wanted them brighter.
Change to led indicators can as some members have found, can be troublesome to fit.
LED bulb change however would seem to be a simple change, though you have to change the flasher unit.  No problem on the newer 650 model the flasher is right at the side of the battery. 
Flasher unit was just over £4 form eBay, but I went for well reviewed LED bulbs at £13.99 a pair, again following advice on the forum.  BAU15S PY21W. 
Huge difference!  Well please with the easy upgrade!  :lala: :lala: :lala: Photos below.  The last picture shows the difference between the 2 bulbs in bright sunshine. 
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Holmsey on May 18, 2020, 15:25:07
I like that  :)
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: tallpaul on May 18, 2020, 18:39:09
Excellent modification!
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Ticker on May 18, 2020, 22:10:11
Good shout Keith  :text-bravo:
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: TLPower on May 19, 2020, 12:33:25
Does Mr Kipling know about this? He'll be outraged.
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Andyruss on May 21, 2020, 14:30:58
Nice. Would this mod work on an older bike, ie my 2008 wee?  Seems nice and simple.
Electrical stuff isn't my forte!!
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Keith60 on May 21, 2020, 17:53:03
Yes it would, but the problem you have is locating the flasher replay to change.   Check the forum for its location.  Good luck!  You could start with the silver reflective tape.
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: sillyboy on May 21, 2020, 18:45:43
I used cooking foil, seems a bit brighter.
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: tallpaul on May 21, 2020, 18:55:28
Mr Kipling's pie trays are custom made for your needs. Plus you get to eat the pies too.
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Rusty Nuts on May 21, 2020, 19:12:39
All of them? Plus, are they available on Sundays?
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: kwackboy on May 21, 2020, 19:25:12
If only ....  :roll:
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: tallpaul on May 21, 2020, 19:38:37
Thankfully, yes. Available from all good shops (and a few sh*t ones too) and if you're quick you can snaffle the lot before the missus sees them.
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Andyruss on May 22, 2020, 16:41:15
A quick google search brought me this picture. Good old Greywolf again! The flasher relay is at the left side of picture, near the red wires.
Think I will try the silver tape first and see how that goes
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Keith60 on May 22, 2020, 19:48:24
Screwfix sell the tape for about £5.  I’ve got a big roll of it.  If you want to have some send me a stamped address envelope and and post you some out.  Pm me if you want some.  It does make a big difference.  I tried foil first, but you can’t cover it all.   With the tape I did all the inside and that improved things. 
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Joe Rocket on May 22, 2020, 20:07:29
Simple but very helpful advice here. Thanks. I've never opened one up before now.

I've done the foil backing inside the winker case. Cooking aluminium foil and some sticky glue I had in the garage. I don't mind the light reflecting daylight back out. My wife was impressed with the difference between before and after with the hazard flashers working to compare. That cost me nothing so buying tape and relays isn't necessary if you don't want the expense.

No doubt you've all had the moan about not having reflectors in there from the start. I can't remember any bike I've owned that didn't!

Well done Suzuki, take a bow for real stinginess! I guess all the V-Strom/Gladius across the world are the same, and other models........  :roll:

Prats! (or toss pots, or whatever.....)

None of this matters when you meet SMIDSY though.  :topic_closed:
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Gert on May 23, 2020, 07:54:03
Some pix of the internals older model V-Strom indicators, http://www.DL650.org/photos/pbsoluces/Richelieu/cligno/index.html, provides for a better understanding of the internals of the turn signal / indicator assembly. It many be of help someone who is wanting to add silver tape to the indicators.
While you are in there, you may want to mod the indicator stalk length, to reduce indicator damage during a tip over. For how to pix on this mod, have a look at http://www.DL650.org/photos/pbsoluces/Alain27/clignos/
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Andyruss on May 23, 2020, 09:57:36
I have some silver tape in the shed (somewhere!!) so will give that a try this weekend sometime. Thanks for the offer though anyway

Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Zed 25 on May 23, 2020, 10:02:41
Keith do you have link for the bulbs please
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: tallpaul on May 23, 2020, 10:06:55
Looks like these on eBay?

253255193646
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Zed 25 on May 23, 2020, 11:58:03
 :ty: tallpaul
Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Keith60 on May 23, 2020, 23:29:00
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253255193646

Title: Re: 2017 650 V-Strom easy indicator upgrade.
Post by: Zed 25 on May 24, 2020, 14:42:36
 :thumb:Thanks