Fat Bob headlights
 

I bought an 08 Fat Bob (haven't taken delivery yet, I will be Friday) and have a headlight question. Are the headlights made to work differently on the US models than the non-US models? I've seen you tube videos of the Fat Bob's where the headlights had only one light on for low beam and I assume one light for high beam ... but I read in the forum that BOTH headlights work all the time during high and low beam use. (Which is what I hope mine does) I'm a US rider so it'll be the US model.

Soooo do they both work all the time here in the US?

Thanks!

Yes. Both on high or low beam.

GREAT!!! That's what I was hoping to hear! Thanks guys! :)

I believe non North American Fat Bobs have one headlight on for dim and both for bright. Europe, Australia etc.

For some weird reason two head lamps in Eurpoe on a m/c are illegal. Not is the ole US of A.

Wow that IS strange! It explains the you tube videos though. Can't wait to have my bike in hand and see for myself. Darn dealer "red tape" made me wait 10 days because they treat a credit card check (wicked low interest set for life of loan) like a personal check ....... But I should have it by weeks end. Just in time for the long weekend! :)

I could have financed it through Harley and gotten delivery right away but even their best rate didn't come close to the rate I got so it's worth the 10 day wait. (But waiting STILL sucks!:rolleyes:)

You did the right thing by waiting IMHO.

It's to do with a European standard that says two lights on a bike will make it look like a more distant car to approaching traffic (dopey of course). I know on some other bikes here in Australia, you can get both lights back on by putting in the missing relays, no idea if it's that easy on the Fatbob.

The more I see the fat bob, the more I should have gotten one

The non US models are referred to as International models. My Aussie delivered Fatbob's headlights work thus; low beam, R/H light light only (55watts); high beam, L/H light only (55 watts), I have already converted this to 65watts. When I eventually get the wiring diagram manual, I will see if I can convert it so that both lights remain on with high beam (one low beam and one high beam). Fitted a set of 1.5 inch Rush slash-downs yesterday, actually sounds like a Harley now.
Colin.

Great info guys ... thanks. And no disrespect intended with the "non US model" reference. It was simply a way to differentiate between models. I'll know better next time I reference "international" models! :-)

Fat Bob International Model Headlight fix
 

G'day FBoz. I have one of the first Australian delivered Fat bobs and I've been trying to find ways to have both lights on (on high beam at least) without having to buy the whole assembly from the US (about US$320 + $50 shipping). Well...there's a way.
You go into the dimmer switch wiring by taking off the left side switch cover top. Undo a small torx screww holding the harness in place. Cut the Yellow wire about 2cmm (3/4") from where it goes into the dimmer Hi/Low toggle button. Heat shrink it off. Then splice the yellow wire from the main harness into the Blue wire which leads to the breaker. Make sure it's insulated and re-assemble the switch housing. Now you'll have your left light on for Low and BOTH lights on for High. There's only 3 wires involved from the Hi/Low toggle switch so you can't go wrong. Send me a PM if you want the diagram.
Love my Fat Bob.

in canada, both work just great...both on low and high beam...

Yes, me too. I waited 20 years for the Fatbob to come along. Thanks for the info' on the wiring change to have both lights on with high beam. Had the L/H side, sidecover off today to see if I could hear a relay switching. No evidence of a relay controlling the lights, so figured that it was purely a switch function. You have just saved me a ton of work. Will make the change in the future. Do you think there will be any problems with melting the switch innards with both lights on? How long ago did you do it? I have already changed the high beam bulb from a 55 watt H11 to a 65 watt H9. Just have to remove one of the fitment keys from the centre of the H9 bulb receptacle.
Fitted a pair of Rush slash down mufflers (1.5 inch baffles) yesterday, and am thinking of fitting a K&N filter into the original filter housing. Any thoughts?
Also a little concerned about how lean the engine runs, so bought and fitted a set of Nightrider XIED's today http://www.nightrider.com/parts/ These are an in-line resister, fitted between the O2 sensors and the computer, that fool the computer into thinking the engine is running lean. The computer then schedules more fuel to correct the lean signal and is supposed to bring the air fuel ratio from 14.7 down to about 13.8. Is supposed to make the engine run cooler and better. Will see tomorrow when I take it out for a ride.
Regards
Colin.

Thanks Mate,
I did the switch about a month ago and no problems so far. I don't see a problem in the switch assembly as the US domestic lights are both on all the time. Can't really say with your higher watt bulb. The only weak link I could see would be in the actual splice if it wasn't done correctly. I'm in the Central Coast chapter of the American Motor Cycle Club and we go on some pretty long rides, so the lights have been on High for around a 4-5 hour period non stop and no probs so far.
I've got the Screamin' Eagle Air Cleaner assembly which slims down the ham can a fair bit which I prefer. I've got the Vance & Hines Big Radius 2 into 1 system with a Dobeck Fueller and I've just changed the fork springs for Progressive with Screamin' Eagle Fork Oil. It makes a good Bike even better. Keep reading this forum and get the feel of your bob and see what you want to change to suit your style.
I'm real happy with the bike and I'll keep this one for a long time.
Hope this helps mate.
Tony

Before & After Fat Bob Headlights
 

Here's the shots of Before the wiring splice and after. Keep Loving your Bob.

Tony,
In your post about changing the wiring for high beam you mention that you end up with the left light on for low beam and both on for high beam. Should this not read right light on for low beam and both on with high selected? I only ask because low beam is the R/H side, prior to modification, on my bike. Took the bike for a run today. Seems to be running cooler since fitting those XIED's.
Colin.

Changed my FatBob headlights out see
https://www.hdforums.com.au/Default....686&view=topic

Also what Progressives did you fit? Where did you get them from?
Thanks
Bob

Reply to PigIronBob
 

G'day Bob,
The progressive are the standard HD length. The progressive part number is 11-1525. I used Screamin' Eagle Fork Oil. Scott from Pacific HD in Gosford did the job as you have to remove fork legs to drain out the original oil. (**** that). He thought it might be too hard with both but it has worked out perfect for me.
Check out progressivesuspension.com and go through the model selector to get your bike.
Like your lights and good to see another Aussie here.

Have a good one mate.
Tony

Just make sure you check the adjustment on them. My first night ride in the desert had my lights signaling overhead air craft, fortunately the moon was out and I could see my way home

You got that right buddy! ;) ...... And the FatBob headlights are both on all the time, hi or low.Dam they are so bright they light up 50 yards ahead and my lane plus a lane on either side! I'm not sure oncoming traffic is happy with that,but I am !~! Ride on Bros

For the record I got my Bob this past Thursday ... it's awesome ... and both headlights work all the time.

Ozzy
 

thanks to you after following your instructions, now i have both on highbeam and am loving the night rides. Thanks man. Ride safe.

No worries mate. That's what the Forum's about. Helping each other when we can.

Take care and enjoy that Fat Bob.

Love this Forum
 

G'day twin headlight lovers, i had a question about how to make both headlights
come on at the same time (australian spec bike) so i thought i'd ask the forum, after a quick look on the forum i find someone has already asked that question and someone else has answered it. This is why i love this forum, every time i have had a problem the forum has been able to help.
Thanks Guys much appreciated.

The method mentioned in this thread isn't that great. You end if with just one light (dipped) on most of the time still except when on main beam. The limitation of the stock non-US lights of single filament bulbs means the only practical solution is to swap out the headlight shell for the US spec one. Details here: http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...t-fat-bob.html

i dunno. the light pattern on the us high beams seems to have a big hole in the middle of it that is not present in the low beams (might just be the silverstar ultras i have in there) . i can see where one high and one low might make a better pattern.

but riding out in the boonies on dark nights has got me looking at lightbars again.

Both headlights on with hi/beam
 

Hi all

I saw that there is a way to get the Aus spec headlights to have both the lights working when on hi beam, but is there a way to have both lights working for hi and low without changing the light assembly?

If not where is the best place to order the U.S light assembly from in Oz?

Cheers in Advance

You can order the U.S. headlight assembly or insert from a dealer. Just need to make sure it's the U.S. one. Then you need a plug wiring assembly and do the mod. Search on the forum and you'll see. I've been running my Aussie Fatbob for a few years after the mod. So much better than having people always tell me one glove is faulty ....

Cheers, Bones

just a question, must you change the headlamps on
Fatbob or are they just ready to go with high and low filiments already when splice is made, thanks , my son is getting a 2012 in 4 days