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What's up guys, hope I'm in the right section to be posting this in. Just recently purchased an '87 FXLR and I can't get the headlight to work. I'm assuming it has something to do with the wiring since I switched the bulb out and nothing happened to it. I truly have no idea what to do or where to start with all this. If anybody has any advice or tips as to what I should do, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys
Yes, the bike starts and runs. Already had some kickass rides on it!
I'm not sure what your ignition switch looks like but on my style of bike (Softail) it is a common mod to switch the poles on the ignition switch so that it will start without the head light on.
How far can your turn your ignition switch to the left?
One click or two?
Does your tail light work? Does the high beam indicator work?
Try running a piece of wire just touching the headlight shell back to a good ground someplace on the bike/motor.
Last edited by Harleycruiser; May 18, 2015 at 10:26 PM.
I'm not sure what your ignition switch looks like but on my style of bike (Softail) it is a common mod to switch the poles on the ignition switch so that it will start without the head light on.
How far can your turn your ignition switch to the left?
One click or two?
You can't. the furthest left position is off and then on and on with lights.
Does your tail light work? Does the high beam indicator work?
Try running a piece of wire just touching the headlight shell back to a good ground someplace on the bike/motor.
The Tail light works just fine. Doesn't have a high beam indicator.
When you say run a piece of wire, you mean one of the wires on there already? Thinking about just taking it to somebody to get it done, although I'd much rather do it myself if possible.
Could be something really simple like a broken or detached wire, faulty ground. Pluck up the courage to take a close look at the wiring inside your headlamp and follow each wire to see if you can spot something wrong. Gently pull apart any connectors, ground connection, clean and refit, making sure there is good contact. Next step is your dip switch and handlebar wiring.
The Tail light works just fine. Doesn't have a high beam indicator.
When you say run a piece of wire, you mean one of the wires on there already? Thinking about just taking it to somebody to get it done, although I'd much rather do it myself if possible.
The tail light working tells us the fuse is not blown, but since you have no high indicator someone has taken that off so check the light fuse, all fuses.
No just a piece of scrap wire, strip both ends.
This will test to see if you have a good ground on the head light.
Do you have a volt meter or test light.
Do you know how to use it?
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1987 FXLR headlight help, please
