Modern Buddy

can anyone direct me on how to remove the DOT signals? I've got the stock ones hooked up and now I don't want the dead ones hanging on my handle bars. Do I have to remove the top panel to do this?

You may not have to, but it makes it easier. Just take out the 2 screws on the speedo panel cover thingy and loosen the tabs. That should be enough to be able to get the DOT signals off. That's just from memory though. I'm pretty sure someone posted a picture tutorial on how to do this

tam wrote:You may not have to, but it makes it easier. Just take out the 2 screws on the speedo panel cover thingy and loosen the tabs. That should be enough to be able to get the DOT signals off. That's just from memory though. I'm pretty sure someone posted a picture tutorial on how to do this

All you do is take out the 8mm bolt into the light, you can see it through the side

speedo panel cover thingy

That's the technical term, correct?

It's been a year since I did mine but I did not remove the headset cover. If I remember correctly, I did need the correct size crescent wrench as well as a good pair of needle nose pliers. I was able to fish out all cables and remove all remnants of the DOT signals without damaging anything, just in case someone ever wanted to reinstall them.

There is a great step by step picture post of the whole process but I don't think it covered the headset removal.

Why remove the DOT signals? This makes your scoot legal, right? I also think that the higher your turn signals, the more likely the cagers are to see you. Having only the low ones could be problematic, in a fatal sort of way.

Elsewhere on this forum you can find instructions on how to make both stock and DOT live, which is what I did for our Buddy. I also replaced the stock bulbs with brighter 1156N bulbs.

Forum link:
topic48.html

Ride safe,

chuck_theobald wrote:Why remove the DOT signals? This makes your scoot legal, right? I also think that the higher your turn signals, the more likely the cagers are to see you. Having only the low ones could be problematic, in a fatal sort of way.

Elsewhere on this forum you can find instructions on how to make both stock and DOT live, which is what I did for our Buddy. I also replaced the stock bulbs with brighter 1156N bulbs.

Forum link:
topic48.html

Ride safe,

My understanding is that the DOT requires the signals there when the dealer sells it, but it's not illegal for you to have the bike without them. Maybe it varies by state see http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

For me, I chose to hook the DOT and stock signals together, and I moved the DOT signals off the metal bars to directly underneath, similar to the 07 style.

gt1000 wrote:It's been a year since I did mine but I did not remove the headset cover. If I remember correctly, I did need the correct size crescent wrench as well as a good pair of needle nose pliers. I was able to fish out all cables and remove all remnants of the DOT signals without damaging anything, just in case someone ever wanted to reinstall them.

There is a great step by step picture post of the whole process but I don't think it covered the headset removal.

you have a link for that? that would be great! I keep seeing the one with the orange buddy on how to re wire stuff, but I've already completed that part, I'm just wondering about how to pull the wires out safely in case I want to use them again. thanks

yamajin wrote:

gt1000 wrote:It's been a year since I did mine but I did not remove the headset cover. If I remember correctly, I did need the correct size crescent wrench as well as a good pair of needle nose pliers. I was able to fish out all cables and remove all remnants of the DOT signals without damaging anything, just in case someone ever wanted to reinstall them.

There is a great step by step picture post of the whole process but I don't think it covered the headset removal.

you have a link for that? that would be great! I keep seeing the one with the orange buddy on how to re wire stuff, but I've already completed that part, I'm just wondering about how to pull the wires out safely in case I want to use them again. thanks

I wasn't very clear. There's a great post with pics showing how to remove and rewire but it doesn't show how to remove the headset or the wiring. The wiring is easy though. Once you disconnect everything in the headset, remove the DOT lights and then rewire the OEM lights under the front panel, fishing out the wires is an easy but slightly delicate process. There's no way to get pictures, this is something you'll have to do by "feel". Just take your time and don't force anything. If you can get the headset cover off, the whole process will be easier. I tried at the time but I didn't know about the clips. There is a point more or less between the headset and the front panel where the wires bind a bit. Just be gentle.

I chose to completely remove the DOT signals because, personally, I think they're hideous. Not only are they poorly designed, they're poorly and very cheaply executed. Is my bike less safe because of this? Apparently, the DOT thinks so but I don't buy into it. I am very concerned about the visibility of my rear turn signals but, as for fronts, I'm much more concerned about other people's than my own. I always use mine and, so far (knock wood) I've had no issues. If you like the DOT signals or think they make you safer, enjoy!

Much better gone