Semaphores

[turbotype1]

I was at a car show tonite and was told by the owner of a beetle with semaphores that you can not use the semaphores over 45MPH or they will break. True or Nonsense?
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[Wiggy]

Nonsense
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Kevin "Wiggy"

My 58 Ghia Vert

My 51 Split 11G

My 57 Deluxe

My 56 Oval

[turbotype1]

[EverettB]

Nonsense.
I've used on the highway at 55 mph.
They did not break.

If they are old they might stick up at that speed but they fall down as soon as you hit a bump or something.
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[3foldfolly]

At hwy speed mine may not fully extend due to the lateral air pressure. Also a slight warbling-whistle wind noise is heard.

[turbotype1]

Couldn't imagine a car company would manufacture a vehicle that would include directionals that would fail just from using them over a certain speed.

I guess it really doesn't matter considering 99.999% of the people out there on the roads don't have a clue what they are for anyway.
We are taught to look for flashing lights as directionals, not flipping arms mounted on the sides of a car.

Thanks for the replies.....Pete
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[Matts Bug Parts]

I may well be the source for the advice "do not use your semaphores above 45MPH or they will break" since it is a guideline I share with customers based on a common sense approach and real life experience having bought, restored and sold many hundreds of semaphores of all ages from early ribbed through smooth and convertible.

Here is why:

First, since semaphore turn signals are rarely seen by most motorists using them to signal is often of little use since they may not actually be seen and or understood if seen, hence larger and larger turn signal lenses on todays cars and signals in mirrors etc.

There is one key weakness for all VW semaphores whether made by SWF or SHO and that is that the hinge pin sleeve (the tunnel thru which the hinge pin sits) is pressed into the short, inside arm on SWF ribbed, SHO smooth, SWF smooth and SWF convertible semaphore and is a weak link (and super weak on cheap Asian reproduction). As your car speed increases the wind pressure on this also rises and is a common failure point. It likely will not happen but when it does it sucks. This why I solder all the above noted semaphores where the hinge pin sleeve is pressed into the short or outside arm - only exception is the SHO grooved.

Finally, if you are running original lenses, or SPU repro ribbed, the quality is unsurpassed. When you are speeding along at highway speed and put on your semaphores any small or larger dust particles or debris strikes the lens rather hard causing pitting or worse.

Matt

[joshbuchan]

In true myth busters fashion I can test mine at 120 mph next time I take the 55 rag out....ill just show the PO-PO this thread if I get caught