Who's running a headlight modulator? Would you trust these 20 year old electronics.

[Quick Cal]

So my brother works at a motorcycle dealer. He stopped by the other day and gave me a bag of 20 year old NOS electronics. The packages are literally falling apart. They couldn't sell the stuff so he gave it all to me. These items were $100 each at that time. I would really like to use some of them if I can.

1. The main thing I would like to use is the Pathblazer headlight modulator. All though it's 20 years old it is the same model they sell today. How many of you run these things? I know all the pro's. They make you be seen. But there's one thing that worries me. Weather it's driving a car or a motorcycle, we know most people go where they are looking. So I'm worried someone is going to be looking at my flashing lights and drive right into me,,,lol. What's been your experiences? You like them or not?

Oh ya. The po told me he installed the superbrightleds.com led lights. So I guess these are the brighter white lights? Would the brighter light be a problem as in flashing blinding lights at on coming traffic?

2. Tailblazer brake light flasher for spoiler light. I really wanted to use this on my 1500. But unfortunately it's for a 1800. I don't think it would be easy to hack it in some how? I might just try to sell it since I MIGHT have another option. That would be #3.

3. Signal minder. This is model SM-3R. It does lots of different things ranging like turning off your turn signals if you forget. But I don't need it to do that as my 1500 all ready does that. Did the 1500 come that way or has one of these all ready been added?

It has a bunch of different functions.

One function I THINK this does is have your rear turn signals and brake lights flash at the same time? I'm still researching this function. I would be great if I could make my bike/sidecar/trailer all flash at the same time.

4. Windshield trim kit. This is some yellow bulbs in big acrylic holders meant to slide over the edge of the windshield. They are just for parking lights. I won't be using these on the bike. But might put them on the sidecar or trailer? I'm not sure if they are even led's. Seems like they would have to be with a price point of $110 at the time.

So. Do you guys think this old stuff is still good? Would you use what you could? Thanks

[Andy Cote]

Great pickup! Love those surprise boxes.

1. If they are as old as you say, the headlight modulator may not work with LED headlight bulbs. The Pathfinder unit is made by Kisan and the firmware was updated for LED use maybe five years ago or so? I was a Beta tester. The including instructions will spell out how to switch between Halogen and LED if it has the new firmware. The have a separate harness for different bikes to match the different headlight bulbs. They only work on the high beam. There are some other threads with opinions on modulators for LED and Halogen.

2. If this unit is for the GL1800 spoiler light, it is for a LED. Possibly work with your OEM brake lights. it says Kisan on the package so I expect it's a universal with GL1800 specific plugs. I looked at these for my GL1500 but I had changed the reflector below the license plate to the brake/tail light unit. That put me over the current rating for the flasher (went a different route on the GL1500). I have one on the GL1800 with a mix of halogen and LED.

3. Your GL1500 has self-cancelling turn signals from the factory. I have never installed a Signal Minder though considered one for a non-Goldwing once. I don't remember the part about also flashing the brake lights. Sorry.

4. I have seen the unit that lights up the edges of your windshield. Looks neat in the bike show but I never felt like it would be a great idea while on the move.

[John K]

I copied this from somewhere, not sure where

Probably in the instructions like Andy stated

[Quick Cal]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The date code on the package is 04/26/04. So it's 20 years old,,lol.

My instructions look nothing like the ones pictures. So it probably won't work. I could only try. But that's a lot of work for something we're pretty sure that won't work.

I tried calling Kisan but no answer. I wonder if the firmware could be updated?

[John K]

I forgot to say
I put a Pathblazer head light modulator, part # P115-dual unit on our Wing about 24 years ago
Still working
One time on way to work in the morning, right after taking the exit a car in front of me pulled to side of road, which I thought was weird, we stopped at a traffic light side by side and he said I thought you was a cop. We laughed
4 years ago changed to LEDs
When I do PGR missions I ride at the rear as the people up front say they can see the flashing headlights
I thought it was flashing too fast so I removed it after reading I had to get an updated unit
found the instructions to change for LEDs but have not had the time yet to try ( proably won't work as unit too old but going to try )
Ordered Kisan part # 25 LED for spoiler light this year
It didn't just plug in, as advertised, couldn't get it to work, even after several calls, not cutting wires or unit so it's back in the package also
Maybe you got lucky and got the correct part numbers & items