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searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:34 pm
by Scalyback
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Kevin Wants...
A pair of semaphore indicators, similar to the Lucas SF80's pictured below.
Do you have two or even one (hopefully complete and working or fixable) sitting in the shed, just waiting to be useful and also get you some money into the bargain?
please (
please) reply below.
[url=mailto:
[email protected]?subject=GPO%20clock%20site t=_self] please contact me by Email[/url]
(Hope the email link works - not tried before!)
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REOC 15084
Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:38 pm
by papasmurf
They are available new but the price would make your eyes water, however:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_jsoff ... rafficator
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 4:50 pm
by vince
hi, How do you prpose to fit them? Vince
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:38 pm
by Adrian
And **WHY** do you propose to fit them? Please don't spoil what is currently a very tidy motorcycle! I have managed to find some fairly discrete black LED indictors for my current '61 project, I'll try and get a picture on in a while. A.
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:54 pm
by Scalyback
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I not going to damage Kevin, intending to screw them to the back side of the number plate, so they not seen until they pop out! Still need hand signals for the front though, but as we are in France, it's ok to do that!
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:55 pm
by simon
Be careful if you have a battery and coil setup. These are heavy electrical users and if you forget to cancel them you can find your battery flat as a tack.
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:02 pm
by jefrs
Not sure when they were phased out. Mum's A35 didn't have them, my 1958 Ford Prefect didn't have them my 1955 Rover didn't have them, they all had proper indicators. Imo they were called trafficators and some of them flashed the bulb; one usually had to poke a hand out of the window to slap them back down. Never seen them fitted to a bike as back they you were supposed to wave your arm around in an arcane manner depicted in the highway code book. I suspect they're nor road-legal unless original fitment.
I suspect the armature is supposed to be pulsed so you don't burn out the relay motor, probably a passing-contact switch, and the bulb running on a flasher relay.
They look fun

searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:13 pm
by jefrs
typo nor = not.
They stay up (or down) on the clip spring at the hinge. Pulse the armature to lift and pulse it again (the other polarity?) to drop it. Yes, the armatures burn out if the power is kept on too long; these things were always failing (most were 6VDC). That way they consume very little current and the flasher bulbs are single (and dim) rather than one each end of vehicle. Which is where it think the plan may fall down as lighting regs say they have to be on the ends of the vehicle at a given height and distance from the corners.
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:20 pm
by jefrs
I would be inclined to fit modern indicators because car drivers don't have a clue what hand signals mean.
The current RE indicators fit to the front yoke bolts (no damage) and through the tail lamp housing, which looks very much like the one on Kevin. I suspect the current tail lamp housing would fit rather than drilling through an original component.
searching for semaphore indicators
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:36 pm
by Scalyback
Kevin is in France. Luckily, The local Gendarmes do not waste time and paper on checking things like that.
Probably have problems in the uk, but IIRC it states about vehicles made before... Anyway, they can go ask the factory if it is an 'extra' that I have only just added. Oh, no factory to ask, oops!
I can rewind them with many more turns of thinner wire, giving same magnetic pull for less current. The bulbs didn't flash, but Mark has directed me to a site where you can get LED flashing replacements.
I might not do it, but if I do try them out, you will be the first to see the vid!
Found out they are called Trafficators!