Motorcycle Repair: CA77 Aftermarket turn signals, luggage rack, signal units

Question
Bill,
I've seen pictures of CA77s with turn signals. Does anybody make a good aftermarket turn signal kit?

Also, I want to make my engine look shiny and new, what is the best method to acomplish this?

Thanks,
Chris

Answer
Chris, CA77s were American destination machines, which were supplied w/o the turnsignals that were equipped on models sold outside the US. If your bike was built after 1964, the square plates on the rear alloy luggage rack panels can be removed and the factory lights installed in their place. Some people just drill a hole in the plate and install some signal stalks there to mount some 1960-70s era small signal units.

The front factory lights were clamped onto the handlebars, with wiring running down inside the bars, so holes were drilled to facilitate that installation.

The wiring harness has to have wiring options inside, if you are going to stay somewhat with the original design of the bike. Some of the later harnesses and replacements were equipped with the necessary orange, blue and gray wires to plug the turn signal wiring into. If you don't have that option in the harness, you will have to wire the whole thing in from scratch, using a switched hot lead off the ignition switch for a starting point.

Once you have a power source, the wiring must go through the flasher unit and then on to a handlebar switch. Honda made specific ones for bikes with signals, but not for the US models. Most aftermarket kits have little clamp on switches that you can position close to the grips, but will require taking your hands off the grip to enable and disable the signal switch.

Once you have come up with a switch, then you will route the power out to the left and right sides of the bike to each lighting assembly.

www.apexcycle and ebay are often sources of signal parts. Benly parts are similar and can be made to work, although the Benlys have 6v and Dreams are 12v systems.

I don't know how far from new and shiny your engine is now, but try some S100 or other engine cleaning and degreasing products to get the oil and grease off the cases and top end. You will need to get some small brass or nylon brushes to help scrap away some of the caked on grit and corrosion.

Bill Silver
www.vintagehonda.com