Breaking tail light bubs...
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Los Angeles
Breaking tail light bubs...
Gents,
I searched the forums and couldn't find an existing thread, so I thought I'd start a new one and ask you guys:
My '08 FXDL has gone through 2 tail light bulbs in 9 months. The bulbs didn't burn out, rather, they shattered!
1 of the bulbs was a conventional/incandescent and I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol before reassembling the lens cover. The last bulb was this LED: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...fit/3557/7523/
The mounting plate on the fender is pretty tight and not moving around. Any insights on why these things popping would be appreciated!
Thanks!
I searched the forums and couldn't find an existing thread, so I thought I'd start a new one and ask you guys:
My '08 FXDL has gone through 2 tail light bulbs in 9 months. The bulbs didn't burn out, rather, they shattered!
1 of the bulbs was a conventional/incandescent and I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol before reassembling the lens cover. The last bulb was this LED: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...fit/3557/7523/
The mounting plate on the fender is pretty tight and not moving around. Any insights on why these things popping would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: here
That's just plain weird, shattered?
Can you post a picture of the bulbs?
Way-out-in-the-weeds but .... tail light comes on as soon as you turn on the ignition, starts getting hot.
Is it possible then somehow it gets hit with cold water?
You're in LA ain't no snow ... wtf.
Can you post a picture of the bulbs?
Way-out-in-the-weeds but .... tail light comes on as soon as you turn on the ignition, starts getting hot.
Is it possible then somehow it gets hit with cold water?
You're in LA ain't no snow ... wtf.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Los Angeles
That's just plain weird, shattered?
Can you post a picture of the bulbs?
Way-out-in-the-weeds but .... tail light comes on as soon as you turn on the ignition, starts getting hot.
Is it possible then somehow it gets hit with cold water?
You're in LA ain't no snow ... wtf.
Can you post a picture of the bulbs?
Way-out-in-the-weeds but .... tail light comes on as soon as you turn on the ignition, starts getting hot.
Is it possible then somehow it gets hit with cold water?
You're in LA ain't no snow ... wtf.
Yeah, its totally weird!
Unfortunately, I didn't take a pic, but all of the pieces were rattling around inside the lens/housing and it sounded like a bartender making a cocktail with ice in a shaker. The bulb bases were fine and were solidly plugged in when I removed the lens.
You're right about my location - LA and its been completely dry and I haven't splashed through any significant puddles.
This may be an equally long shot, but I wonder if it had to do with all of the bumps in these local canyon roads? They're pretty rough - almost as choppy as a fire road - and perhaps I shook the living daylights out of the bulb? I know that LEDs are way more durable than incandescent because there isn't a glowing filament, but I can't think of any other reason?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Texas
vibration harmonics will focus on strange places and can play havoc on incandescent lamps and electronic circuit boards...learned that one working on helicopters.
My FXD was going through three headlights a year until I switched to HID and my right side pegs will work lose if I don't check them regularly but the left side is never lose.
My FXD was going through three headlights a year until I switched to HID and my right side pegs will work lose if I don't check them regularly but the left side is never lose.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
What lens do you have on the bike? are you sure it is factory?
Did you check the lens interior for melted plastic at point that bulb glass might touch?
For example, if someone put a high heat bulb like a halogen at some point then the lens could have melted in the interior center creating somewhat of a spike.
Thinking that glass tip of bulb might be touching lens...with vibration it would be like a constant hammer on the glass from lens.
Did you check the lens interior for melted plastic at point that bulb glass might touch?
For example, if someone put a high heat bulb like a halogen at some point then the lens could have melted in the interior center creating somewhat of a spike.
Thinking that glass tip of bulb might be touching lens...with vibration it would be like a constant hammer on the glass from lens.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Los Angeles
What lens do you have on the bike? are you sure it is factory?
Did you check the lens interior for melted plastic at point that bulb glass might touch?
For example, if someone put a high heat bulb like a halogen at some point then the lens could have melted in the interior center creating somewhat of a spike.
Thinking that glass tip of bulb might be touching lens...with vibration it would be like a constant hammer on the glass from lens.
Did you check the lens interior for melted plastic at point that bulb glass might touch?
For example, if someone put a high heat bulb like a halogen at some point then the lens could have melted in the interior center creating somewhat of a spike.
Thinking that glass tip of bulb might be touching lens...with vibration it would be like a constant hammer on the glass from lens.
Thanks IM! Its definitely OEM and the interior is unmarred. Same for the softer rubber-y mount that the bulb passes through - it all appears to be fine.
Like Robottom and yourself, I thought heat was the culprit (it may have been for the incandescent bulb) but I can't image that would be the case for an LED?
Perhaps Skinman's observation is culprit - vibrations & shaking affecting a working bulb made it pop?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
When helicopters started popping bulbs, it was usually an indicator that the blades were out of track, meaning that they all don't have the same pitch, which causes vibrations which tend focus on some point along the fuselage where there a natural "tune" for the harmonics to add and intensify.
We used to remount the bulb base and try to turn the filament 34-45 degrees... that sometimes worked. I was not able to do that with my headlight, though. Cheap or expensive bulbs made no difference. I replaced everything but the bucket and ring but one of the beams would go out after about 100 days, like clockwork. I have had the HID system on for about 6 months and so far it is working great.
I once put red Locktite on my highway pegs before a long trip and still it came lose. I swapped the bolts and mounts from left to right and it still came loose.
We used to remount the bulb base and try to turn the filament 34-45 degrees... that sometimes worked. I was not able to do that with my headlight, though. Cheap or expensive bulbs made no difference. I replaced everything but the bucket and ring but one of the beams would go out after about 100 days, like clockwork. I have had the HID system on for about 6 months and so far it is working great.
I once put red Locktite on my highway pegs before a long trip and still it came lose. I swapped the bolts and mounts from left to right and it still came loose.
Last edited by skinman13; Feb 17, 2018 at 01:14 PM.
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From: Honah Lee
Get a bulb from Harley. There is a difference. Not that they make it, just that they spec it for bike use.
Same for autos. If you replace an OEM headlight, lots of times, the last two numbers on it are LL. The one you usually get after market won't have it on there and you will be lucky to get 1/3 the time out of it. Some even put it on the package but it's not on the bulb.
Same for autos. If you replace an OEM headlight, lots of times, the last two numbers on it are LL. The one you usually get after market won't have it on there and you will be lucky to get 1/3 the time out of it. Some even put it on the package but it's not on the bulb.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Feb 17, 2018 at 01:29 PM.
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Since it popped LEDs, I'd suspect a voltage spike but I can certainly see heat and/or vibration also being an issue.
LL suffix is Long Life. There are also heavy filament (and glass) options for off road and rough use. Some are even laminated with silicone or plastic to help prevent shattering from impact.
LL suffix is Long Life. There are also heavy filament (and glass) options for off road and rough use. Some are even laminated with silicone or plastic to help prevent shattering from impact.
