Low beam burnout
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 1,553
From: Central Wisconsin
Low beam burnout
A buddy of mine has a 2019 fat boy. He is on his 3rd headlight bulb already this year. The low beam keeps burning out but the bright does not. He bought 2 bulbs from the local dealership and 1 from O'Reilleys with the same result. Anyone else have this happen and find a solution? Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 518
Likes: 397
From: So Western Ohio
If your friend is running hot white bulbs have him try a standard 55/60 watt bulb. The reason those higher wattage bulbs are so bright is due to their thinner filaments getting hotter. Less resistance = more current flow = brighter = vibration death sooner.
I like Phillips Motovision bulbs, made for the vibrations of motorcycles. You can buy them on Amazon.
I like Phillips Motovision bulbs, made for the vibrations of motorcycles. You can buy them on Amazon.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
It is probably worth checking the output of the charging system just to be sure. HD state it is alright if not over 15 volts but I think in general something around 14.6 volt max is better.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 1,553
From: Central Wisconsin
Yeah I mentioned an LED but he didn't really lean one way or another. I'd hate for him to spend the money on an led and have issues with that as well. I will check the charging output sometime soon to eliminate that as a possible problem.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Beyond Fucital
That's not how it works.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
Most don't use their high beam for long periods of time like the low beam always on. We have had it explained that the higher wattage bulbs use a finer filament that are affected by vibration. If the charging circuit is a little hot that might exacerbate the situation. Nothing lost in just confirming something so simple to check.
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Joined: Apr 2024
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From: Ohio
I found that my headlight bucket had cracked and it was eating low beam bulbs like a pothead with a bag of Doritos. It was just letting too much vibration get to the bulb
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