 justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Are Hand Signals legal in lieu of lectric blinkers? Are blinkers a must always?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
I suppose it depends on the state, Jim. Here in the land of tall corn, after 1977 a bike has to be outfitted with standard/stock equipment, and they have to work as outfitted. I owned/modified a few choppers from the previous years and I always took off the dorky looking signals on long stems, then used hand signals. Even so, it took a really anal cop to pull you over and site for this.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Rich, I take the Barney Fifes that lit you up for using only hand signals; all the while having functional blinkers in place?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
We're pretty loose over here in 'Bama...no headlight or sigs req'd.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Rich, I take the Barney Fifes that lit you up for using only hand signals; all the while having functional blinkers in place?
Nah, I'm saying that I always took them stoopid lookin bug eyes off, then used hand signals. And I never was pulled over. At least, not for signals. 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
We're pretty loose over here in 'Bama...no headlight or sigs req'd.
and few signs. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep Jim, I'm pretty sure Rich's explanation about a motorcycle's year of manufacture and how it's shown on the registration determines this issue in most states.
However, I think the D.O.T. mandated lighted turn signals on all motorcycles a few years before 1977. I think the actual year was 1973.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
I have an interesting story involving blinkers. When I was a pup, in the state of Tennessee you could get a motor scooter license at the ripe old age of 14. I don’t recall if there was a horse power or cc limit but I’m sure there was. I do recall you were not allowed on the interstates but all other roads, highways were fair game. At 14, in 1971 a friend doubled me to the DOT on his 125 Honda to take the test, no parents just two kids, he was also 14. I took the written test, missed 5 of 50 questions. 5 was the maximum allowable without failing, pasted the eye test. On to the riding test but first the instructor had to do a vehicle inspection. As it turned out of couple of the turn signals did not work, so she failed the bike. I mentioned hand signals and she says “ if it has turn signals they have to work”. No problem well be right back, jumped on the bike and ran down to a local garage, borrowed a wrench and removed all of the blinkers. Back to the testing center, left there with license in hand. And as the story goes, the rest is history. 
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490 |
I often wonder if you were allowed to use arm signals...how many cagers today would even know what you are doing?
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
However, I think the D.O.T. mandated lighted turn signals on all motorcycles a few years before 1977. I think the actual year was 1973.
Maybe 1975 when the the international standardization took place.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Here in PA you have to have blinkers and working if the bike came stock with them. I never had blinkers on a bike before this one.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
I often wonder if you were allowed to use arm signals...how many cagers today would even know what you are doing?
Kinda relegates the use of them to avoid giving probable cause to an leo eh? (think of legal lane filtering, not stopped at a light waiting to make a turn) And regarding electric blinkers, same thing as most cagers don't see us let alone our blinkers. That said, I like as much stuff flashing as I can when chances of being rear ended are high.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Here in PA you have to have blinkers and working if the bike came stock with them. I never had blinkers on a bike before this one.
The crux of the matter. Having them in working order, do the use of hand signals trump the use of blinkers? Hum, using hand signals may warrant an leo to light you up simple to see if the installed blinkers work. I guess probable cause is whatever fancies an leo.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
...I mentioned hand signals and she says “ if it has turn signals they have to work”. No problem well be right back, jumped on the bike and ran down to a local garage, borrowed a wrench and removed all of the blinkers.
Back to the testing center, left there with license in hand.
And as the story goes, the rest is history.
 As a yute to pass a vehicle inspection with no emergency brake I placed a toggle switch in line with the rear brake lights. When the dude said to engage the emergency brake I toggled the switch and pressed the brake pedal. Why not simply take that time and fix the dern ER brake? Money for one and I was a yute after all.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
Turn signals in Texas are not an inspection requirement.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Nope but if ya have them on the bike they have to work.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
I had no idea. None of the inspectors on any of my bikes has ever asked to blink them.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
In Missouri if they are on the bike they have to work to pass inspection, but hand signals are legal.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385 |
When I got mine spected (NY) and the inspectionater asked to see the signals, I showed open hand, closed fist; open hand, closed fist... I got the finger in return 
06 in Mulberry. AI, Dunstalls, Nology coils, TTP
Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.
-Oliver Cromwell
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I often use both the flashers and hand signals.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Living in FL you have to signal left then turn right then flip flop that to turn left!! 
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
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 Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Law says you have to have working blinkers.
But you can use hand signals if you want to.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 592
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 592 |
Quote:
We're pretty loose over here in 'Bama...no headlight or sigs req'd.
It's a good thing too. I have a couple of older bikes that I can never seem to get both turn signals to work at the same time. (
not same time, left works and not right or right works and not left)
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
i have turn signals & hardly use them
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117 |
The People's Republic of Maryland requires them. I have and use them. Not that I helps with the way the idjits drive around where I work--yet another reason I live out in the country. I've been considering strapping a megaphone to my bike that's wired into my signals to say "Hey, I'm turning left/right you frickin' moron" with the hopes that people will actually see me.
2005 Green America
Fishtail Exhaust, Whitewalls, ISO Grips, Light bar with Relo Turnsignals
"...To them, I'm just a screaming ball of noise."
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
I was following some moron in a new BMW convertable who kept changing lanes without signalling. When I stopped next to him at a light I flipped up the front of the helmet and said, "Nice car," and he smiled. Then I asked "So, are the turn signals optional?" He stopped smiling at that point.v Keeping your intentions secret doesn't enhance your survivability.
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...with the hopes that people will actually see me.
Isn't it popular consensus that a vehicle will be inclined to go where the driver is looking? 
Maybe we should hope they don't see us.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: justifiable cause
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
I was following some moron in a new BMW convertable who kept changing lanes without signalling. When I stopped next to him at a light I flipped up the front of the helmet and said, "Nice car," and he smiled. Then I asked "So, are the turn signals optional?" He stopped smiling at that point.v Keeping your intentions secret doesn't enhance your survivability.
Fidelis et Fortis
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