Tricky problem for you all....

[Colonel]

So a good mate of mine rides a 2011 1200gs, but I won't hold that against him Many years ago he lost an arm in a bike accident, so rides with only his left arm. He has managed to sort throttle, brakes and clutch but we are struggling with a sensible solution to the indicators. At the moment there are 3 micro switches mounted in a machined aluminium casing (right, left and cancel) however the slightest bit of wet and they fail. On his other bikes he has a separate on/off switch for left and right. Does the collective know if the bmw can be wired in a similar way or does the complexity of the thing prevent this? If not any other bright ideas?

Cheers

 

[Fanum]

No idea.

That's not at all helpful is it

HOWEVER.....

If it were me, and I was doing it in the shed, I'd be inclined to look at the indicators as a simple wiring circuit with a flasher relay and switch, powered from an ignition fed relay direct to the battery.

That way, it would be guaranteed to work, would be independent of any canbus issues and he could use any of the thousand tried and tested switches from any other bike, quad, skidoo, tractor or anything.

It also makes problems easy to diagnose, and if necessary could be transferred to any other bike he owns in the future

I like to keep things simple.

 

[morty]

met a one armed biker,he had two touch pads,one next to each knee.used to nudge it with his knee to indicate and nudge it again to cancel.seemed to work really well.he was bloody fast aswell the bugger.

 

[Bendy toy]

Touch pads on the tank could be put in parallel with the handlebar switches so the canbus wouldn't know anything had changed. It would also retain the self cancelling.

But as @Fanum says, a separate indicator circuit is probably the most simple option.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I remember an article in a bike mag years ago where a company converted Suzuki switchgear to fit the BMW. This was before the 1200 (and therefore canbus) came about, so don't know if it's possible.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Must be possible as BMW have effectively done it with the new WC and did it to the RT maybe if he has access to post 2010 RT switch gear it would help as obviously the RT 1200 would have can bus

 

[ShellOil]

The problem you would face is getting any new switches to send the correct signal back to the canbus controller/ecu. Basically the canbus sends a message and the switch replies with a set response. These responses are closely guarded by BMW.

Fanum's would be the simplest most cost effective method.

 

[Colonel]

Thanks for all the suggestions.... I'm liking the new circuit idea myself. When in doubt, keep it simple.........

 

[Lord Snooty]

Might the NABD be able to help with this also?

 

[Timpo]

OK, what about using a roadbook reader switch cluster...... pictured below is a F2R unit, made in Portugal.

http://www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk...ks/f2r-roadbook-spares/f2r-combo-switch-cr001

The canbus just requires a single signal from 'left' or 'right' switch or 'cancel' switches so the F2R unit can be wired as top button right, lower button left and red for cancel...... and maybe the toggle switch can be used for a.n.other function.....

Timpo.

 

[juddadredd]

Open the electronics up and use silicone sealer it will water proof the heck out of it.

 

[Colonel]

I think, on reflection, what we're gonna try is replace existing micro switches in failed unit with waterproof ones that I've found on flea bay from Hong Kong. He likes the look of the current set up and is now talking about buying the new LC next year as it has cruise control and the indicators on one switch (so I'm told - as an 1150 owner it sounds all to fangled and modern to me)

Really appreciate the time taken to think about the problem - if it were my bike I think I'd use the fzr switch gear on a new circuit and use the toggle switch for maybe spot/fog lights... Seems somehow and elegant solution to me - but what do I know

Cheers

 

[Ted]

Hi just seen this and couple of questions. Has the bike got Electronic suspension and trip computer.
If not then get hold of a BMW switch assembly with those buttons in position and very easy to wire up only 3 wires. No need to cut or damage originals. You have 2 signal wires and one common wire just piggyback solder the 3 wires and run across to the new switch assembly. Failing that any good waterproof switch from Maplins with a common centre feed and 2 momentary contacts will do the job.( DPDT-Mom (ON)-OFF-(ON) momentary, centre off).

Switches in CAN bus system only supply a signal to the control unit. It’s what happens after it gets that signal that is the “magic” part.
Switch colours are Brown/orange (common) Blue/ White (signal cancel) Blue/Yellow (Turn right) from memory but check on switch should be easy to see.
Picture shows where switch to use are.
Hope that helps.