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1998 Softtail Heritage Classic. Dash lights (turn, neutral, high beam, oil pressure) all seem dark. They light, just not enough for me to really recognize without significant effort. I'm doubly confused on how to remove. Manual doesn't explain how, that I can find. 3rd party vendors all lacking something close. Not even the almighty youtube is lacking specifics here.
is the bulb replaceable? Or is it an assembly that somehow force fits into the housing? Or other??
underside with legend removed to expose top side
Remove bulb so that the rubber press fit can be pulled out the back? If so, how to remove the bulb as I am having no luck pulling one out
Any suggestions or ideas?
Last edited by Illinois_Minion; Jun 8, 2025 at 07:10 PM.
Sportsters 2008 and 2017 have LEDs mounted on a pcb. When they go without knowing the working voltage requires the complete wiring harness to be changed that goes from under the tank to the speedo.
The 2008 part is now obsolete and no longer available so I have to source NOS or used.
Both are susceptible to moisture as HD have a crap manufacturer who doesn't conformal coat them properly.
So it just pulled straight out the bottom? No twisting, lubing up with light oil??
Chasing the part# down the rabbit hole.... A #74 bulb is alleged to be current replacement part. I'm pondering an LED variant, at the moment. Maybe warm white vs cool white(which I fear is too bright at night). I know lumens is the measure, but until I get something i there to test.... who knows.
Pretty sure 1/4 turn and the socket comes out of the dash cover. I have always bought the bulbs at the dealership, worth a shot. Buy more than one, good luck.
Good news! #74 bulb it is!!! I went cheapo Amazon just to prove it viable. Bright white(6500k advertised) and it looks very promising when lit up.
And now the not so good part....
1) Removing bulb - don't use pliers as I got lucky with first bulb. They crush when least expected.
Don't use pliers, bulbs crush way too easy
Instead use a hose of about 1/8"
too easy...
2) These specific sockets are press fit rubber. Do NOT twist. use a light oil and push from top down carefully with finger, not tools. Because....
uh-oh this sucks the good side making connection with bulb
3) LED's I got are polarized. Meaning they only work one way. I was on the last bulb (right turn indicator) when I couldn't sort out why it was not lighting up.
This is the same one that I tugged, twisted, pushed with a blunt screwdriver to get out of housing. My fault,
Now to find either the socket for pilfering parts, or the connector itself or the whole rubber socket/harness (not looking good at this moment).
One step forward, one step to the right into dog sh@#..
i cant seem to find where i bought them today but i replaced those on my 97 FLHR w/small leds a few years ago. Mine were also getting harder to see by me.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
replacement idiot light bulbs??
#73 bulb is replaceable. How to remove is the challenge now.
