POS Tri-bar Tail Light Broke
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
POS Tri-bar Tail Light Broke
Today I was riding my Fat Bob when the Harley Davidson Tri-bar Tail Light fell off. The tail light broke where the two screws mount it to the tail light frame. I was just riding down the road when I heard something funny coming from the back of my bike. I pulled over to the side of the road and get off and look at the back and there my brake light is just dangling down. So I have called the dealership and Zanotti (bought it online from Zanotti and I am being told Harley only warranties it for 90 days, I bought it in Feburary of this year) and I am being told there is nothing they can do about it. I am pissed, what a POS! I am posting this to warn other people about this piece of crap and to see if anybody has any advice or experience with resolving this kind of issue. Also, if anybody knows of a quality tail light out there for a Fat Bob other than the factory one. I love the smooth look of the tri-bar light.
Thanks in advance....
Thanks in advance....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Today I was riding my Fat Bob when the Harley Davidson Tri-bar Tail Light fell off. The tail light broke where the two screws mount it to the tail light frame. I was just riding down the road when I heard something funny coming from the back of my bike. I pulled over to the side of the road and get off and look at the back and there my brake light is just dangling down. So I have called the dealership and Zanotti (bought it online from Zanotti and I am being told Harley only warranties it for 90 days, I bought it in Feburary of this year) and I am being told there is nothing they can do about it. I am pissed, what a POS! I am posting this to warn other people about this piece of crap and to see if anybody has any advice or experience with resolving this kind of issue. Also, if anybody knows of a quality tail light out there for a Fat Bob other than the factory one. I love the smooth look of the tri-bar light.
Thanks in advance....
Thanks in advance....
I had the exact same issue. I called HD customer support and they told me i was SOL, that they never heard of it happening, etc. My dealer didn't help me out either. They tried saying since I installed it I did it wrong. It snapped from vibration of the plastic mount. It's not designed to support that light. I did a search here and it's happened to a couple of other people.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
Yeah someone posted a repair, perhaps 4 or 5 months ago, that rescued the light and put it back into service. It seems that those that tighten down the screws too tight have more problems with the tabs breaking. Also posted was preventive steps. There was much discussion at the time. I'll look tonight if I bookmarked the thread.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Goldenrod Crossing MN 56201
Same here. My light did not fall off but when I checked it the two screw holes were broke and it was ready to fall out. Same deal with getting warranty. I took two small 1/2 in fender washers and put under the screw heads. this has held for a year now. It seems like when you mount the light the bottom screw holes on mine did not tighten up flush and too much torque just breaks the holes. Looks good but too much $$ and too much plastic. Mike
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I spoke with HD today. They are giving me store credit with Zanotti (where I bought the light originally). I just got an email from Zanotti that they are shipping me out a new light and it should be here by wed/thur of next week. According to HD they have redesigned the light, so hopefully this wont be an issue again. I am actually surprised with HD's customer support, I have heard so many horror stories I figured they would tell me to pound sand. Zanotti wasnt a surprise how easily they helped out, they have always been great to work with. Im glad it all worked out......
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
I spoke with HD today. They are giving me store credit with Zanotti (where I bought the light originally). I just got an email from Zanotti that they are shipping me out a new light and it should be here by wed/thur of next week. According to HD they have redesigned the light, so hopefully this wont be an issue again. I am actually surprised with HD's customer support, I have heard so many horror stories I figured they would tell me to pound sand. Zanotti wasnt a surprise how easily they helped out, they have always been great to work with. Im glad it all worked out......
Dude what did you tell them?/ what changed their mind?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I guess I just talked right, to the right person, on the right day.....Sometimes I am just lucky.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
Mine has been on for nearly 23,000 miles so far, not a problem or hint of. Went out and checked it. AOKAY.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
Not as many miles, but still no hint of any issues yet.
Guess I better keep an eye on it.
