When I purchased my Thunderbird Sport it came with small LED plastic turn signals, they look okay, not great, just okay, but now 2 of them have broken, the rubber stalks have split, so I'm looking at replacements. There are quite a few aftermarket LED ones, nothing like the chrome OEMs ones though, but some look nice too me, but what is the general feeling here? Go OEM to keep the classic looks, or adding aftermarket ones that blend in is "okay".
I have to see what comes up on ebay for OEM. One thing about living in Oklahoma, there is no State Testing of vehicles at all, you would be shocked at some of the vehicles I've seen on the road here.
OEM seems the way, I'm on the look out for some now, I saw a couple on ebay (I'm in the US) a few weeks ago, chrome wasn't in great shape, so would need re-chroming, but they are gone now anyway, I'll keep looking. Looking at photos, looks like the Thunderbird, Adventurer, Legend and Thunderbird Sport share common indicators/turn signals. UPDATE: Looks like the chrome part of the indicator is the same but the amber lens is more pointy on the TSB.
Just bought one for a TSB on ebay, $12 inc shipping but the amber lens is broken, but it will serve as reference/pattern, and at that price,as they say here, a no brainer!
The genuine items are available new - if you don't mind paying the rather steep asking price :- https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/6126/thunderbird-sport/indicators Looks like front are in stock and rears available to back order ... around £152GBP for a full set.
Thanks Adie, that is another option! Also having the part# is great, as it looks like the they are used on some Bonneville T100s among others.
Yeah, I've had a look at aftermarket, and they look so-so. I rather have good used ones at a minimum I think. I wouldn't be surprised if some the chrome is just shiny plastic on some of them.
Since when has it been an MOT fail in the UK to replace the indicators with AM parts? As long as they flash with a certain cadence and are mounted correctly they're no problem. I've taken mine off the dirt bike altogether with no MOT issues even though the switch is still there. What I don't get is replacing them with the tiny LED types with smoked lenses. I've taken them off the dirt bike before they get smashed off but on the road bikes I like them uber visible!
I'm pretty sure it's NOT an MOT fail to have aftermarket indicators fitted (per se) - as long as you maintain the legally required minimum 'separation' and visibilty requirements; and, if they're led, they flash at the correct rate which usually requires either a suitable replacement relay or inbuilt circuitry.
The damaged TSB turn signal arrived today, it's heavy, 304g, will be good as a sample, and good at $13 inc shipping, I might be able to just buy the lens for it. After scouring ebay etc, the Legend TT looks to have near identical indicators, but that is about, ones from other models vary slightly. The amber lens is pointed on the TSB. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LixMbGNFdXj2G5kMKeCVtw9YNNO79P0x/view?usp=sharing
