Fitting FXR headlight. Hopeless?
Fitting FXR headlight. Hopeless?
The OE lamp on my '90 FXR gave it up a few days ago. I decided to replace the sealed beam unit with one that accepts H4's. Now I wonder if this is going to work.
The one I got is an Adjure. It is just a smidge deeper than the OE unit, but the main problem is the base is quite a bit wider. There's a big rubber weather seal thing that fits on the back that seems impossible to get into the jumble of wires inside the bucket.
My question is whether or not there is any hope in getting this in, or if I need to give up on it and find something else. I'm happy to try, but I don't want to waste two hours on something if it never going to work. If its something else, is there an option that will take H4's, or am I stuck going back to sealed beams?
Replacing the bucket seems like an option, but that's way more grief than I'm interested in right now. One other thought is to pull out the turn signal flasher unit to free up some space. Its taking up a bunch of room in the bucket, and since I never use them anyway...But I'm not sure if doing that will get me where I need to be.
Thoughts? Ideas? Come on over if you like. Beer's on me.
The one I got is an Adjure. It is just a smidge deeper than the OE unit, but the main problem is the base is quite a bit wider. There's a big rubber weather seal thing that fits on the back that seems impossible to get into the jumble of wires inside the bucket.
My question is whether or not there is any hope in getting this in, or if I need to give up on it and find something else. I'm happy to try, but I don't want to waste two hours on something if it never going to work. If its something else, is there an option that will take H4's, or am I stuck going back to sealed beams?
Replacing the bucket seems like an option, but that's way more grief than I'm interested in right now. One other thought is to pull out the turn signal flasher unit to free up some space. Its taking up a bunch of room in the bucket, and since I never use them anyway...But I'm not sure if doing that will get me where I need to be.
Thoughts? Ideas? Come on over if you like. Beer's on me.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It was common back then to replace the sealed beam unit with a similar unit, simply because H4 and similar lamps back then out-performed sealed beam units. A friend who bought a new '90 FXRS certainly installed an H4 unit. It might be worth looking around at different brands, just in case they are less bulky and more likely to fit.
Thanks, man.
I'm really trying to keep this from turning ugly.
I pulled the blinker, plugged in the light, left it all dangling out of the can, and all was well. (Naturally the turn signals didn't work, but that was expected and acceptable.)
Managed to get the light stuffed inside, and everything went to hell.
Bike wouldn't start. What sounded like the starter relay would click on and off at random intervals for no apparent reason. Neutral indicator wasn't registering.
Pulled it back out and back to normal.
So it would seem I've got some loose connections.
I guess its time to bail on the nifty H4 unit, and just get a replacement sealed beam and live with it. Its supposed to be gorgeous this weekend and I'm not going to spend the whole time fiddling with that nest of wires.
I'm really trying to keep this from turning ugly.
I pulled the blinker, plugged in the light, left it all dangling out of the can, and all was well. (Naturally the turn signals didn't work, but that was expected and acceptable.)
Managed to get the light stuffed inside, and everything went to hell.
Bike wouldn't start. What sounded like the starter relay would click on and off at random intervals for no apparent reason. Neutral indicator wasn't registering.
Pulled it back out and back to normal.
So it would seem I've got some loose connections.
I guess its time to bail on the nifty H4 unit, and just get a replacement sealed beam and live with it. Its supposed to be gorgeous this weekend and I'm not going to spend the whole time fiddling with that nest of wires.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
That's the smaller headlight, right? Like on a Sportster? HD sells a headlight thing that takes H4's. We needed a sealed beam on the Sporty a few years back, and after about the 3rd auto parts store one on the trip, I went to a dealer and that was all they had. It wasn't cheap, but it worked great. Fit fine without anything having to be changed and the H4 bulb didn't blow out like the sealed beam ones were. I think the vibration was too much for them. If I recall, it was $50 then.
Deed is done.
Dealership was worthless. They told me my bike was obsolete, and could order something in. If I wanted to wait until next week.
There's an independent parts shop near by. Don't really like those guys much, but gave them a try. They set me up with a "Candlepower" brand H4 unit that has a much smaller base than the other one I was trying. Popped right in.
Its a glorious afternoon here, and I'm on the road, so life is good.
Dealership was worthless. They told me my bike was obsolete, and could order something in. If I wanted to wait until next week.
There's an independent parts shop near by. Don't really like those guys much, but gave them a try. They set me up with a "Candlepower" brand H4 unit that has a much smaller base than the other one I was trying. Popped right in.
Its a glorious afternoon here, and I'm on the road, so life is good.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
I was going to say "Candlepower", but you beat me to it. I ran one in my '89 Sporty back in the day after the stock headlamp burned out.
I'm running the 7" version in my FLSTN today. Both work great.
It's the first day of spring up here and snowing up a storm. Will be weeks before I'm able to ride this year.
I'm running the 7" version in my FLSTN today. Both work great.
It's the first day of spring up here and snowing up a storm. Will be weeks before I'm able to ride this year.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post