A couple issues for a new HD Owner
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
A couple issues for a new HD Owner
Hey all,
Long time an admirer of all your bikes, been riding a while but have yet to own a Harley...until now that is. I have been riding a bobbed out 72 Yamaha XS2 which is a blast and I will keep riding, but it beats the crap out of my aging body so I pulled the trigger on a 2007 Dyna Super Glide Custom this past weekend.
Of course, there are a few things I would like to change on the new bike, but for the Dallas fall riding weather that will be put off a while.
That said I do have to get it through our safety inspection, and the day after I bought it I had a couple of issues pop up (of course). The first noticeable one was the tail light/brake light went out, so I replaced the bulb (3157 from the local auto parts guys) which got the tail light working, but no brake light (I am 99.9% positive I checked it before the test ride). I did verify that it was only the one filament lit, neither the hand brake nor foot pedal work to illuminate the brake light. I don't think it is a grounding issue given it would use the same ground as the running light. This one I am at a bit of a loss at the moment and will of course keep me from passing safety which is needed to license it. I plan to start to poke around with a voltmeter soon, but if anyone has an idea of the first direction let me know.
The second issue that cropped up while riding (back from the parts store) was a sort of surging. Initially, I attributed it to me not being used to the throttle but then noticed as I was riding (around 50PMH) the speedo would dip to 10MPH during the surge, then back up. Suffice it to say that was unnerving. After a bit of research, I found it may be a ground issue so I pulled the battery (which did appear a bit lose on the + and - main connections. I pulled the grounds that are tied to the frame basically just under the seat ahead of the rear fender, then cleaned them up. They were plenty tight but I removed the potential a bad connection issue with a good scotch brite cleaning. I put the battery back in and made sure the cables were good and tight. After a short ride, this seems to have stopped, but of course, the issue cropped up on a bit longer ride, but since I have no brake lights as noted above I will cross my fingers this is taken care of.
This brings me to my last question for all you seasoned HD folks, where in the world can I get HD parts? I see places like J&P, and others that have some, but when I go to HD parts, all I get are the flair parts, lots of chrome, wrinkle black, and skulls to go around but finding for instance a tail light bulb connection with wiring that may be the issue to my #1 above as the connector looks a bit worn is nowhere to be found. I would have thought this was the place to go, like when I need parts for me CTSV or Escalade I can go to GM Parts direct and locate the diagrams, find the part number and make a purchase (or cross-reference it with the aftermarket and buy elsewhere for about 1/3 the price). Is there any such place to buy HD parts or do I have to scour junkyards for bits and pieces (or find similar auto equivalents and splice them in)?
Wishing you all well, and I look forward to being part of the community.
John (HotRodJPod)
Long time an admirer of all your bikes, been riding a while but have yet to own a Harley...until now that is. I have been riding a bobbed out 72 Yamaha XS2 which is a blast and I will keep riding, but it beats the crap out of my aging body so I pulled the trigger on a 2007 Dyna Super Glide Custom this past weekend.
Of course, there are a few things I would like to change on the new bike, but for the Dallas fall riding weather that will be put off a while.
That said I do have to get it through our safety inspection, and the day after I bought it I had a couple of issues pop up (of course). The first noticeable one was the tail light/brake light went out, so I replaced the bulb (3157 from the local auto parts guys) which got the tail light working, but no brake light (I am 99.9% positive I checked it before the test ride). I did verify that it was only the one filament lit, neither the hand brake nor foot pedal work to illuminate the brake light. I don't think it is a grounding issue given it would use the same ground as the running light. This one I am at a bit of a loss at the moment and will of course keep me from passing safety which is needed to license it. I plan to start to poke around with a voltmeter soon, but if anyone has an idea of the first direction let me know.
The second issue that cropped up while riding (back from the parts store) was a sort of surging. Initially, I attributed it to me not being used to the throttle but then noticed as I was riding (around 50PMH) the speedo would dip to 10MPH during the surge, then back up. Suffice it to say that was unnerving. After a bit of research, I found it may be a ground issue so I pulled the battery (which did appear a bit lose on the + and - main connections. I pulled the grounds that are tied to the frame basically just under the seat ahead of the rear fender, then cleaned them up. They were plenty tight but I removed the potential a bad connection issue with a good scotch brite cleaning. I put the battery back in and made sure the cables were good and tight. After a short ride, this seems to have stopped, but of course, the issue cropped up on a bit longer ride, but since I have no brake lights as noted above I will cross my fingers this is taken care of.
This brings me to my last question for all you seasoned HD folks, where in the world can I get HD parts? I see places like J&P, and others that have some, but when I go to HD parts, all I get are the flair parts, lots of chrome, wrinkle black, and skulls to go around but finding for instance a tail light bulb connection with wiring that may be the issue to my #1 above as the connector looks a bit worn is nowhere to be found. I would have thought this was the place to go, like when I need parts for me CTSV or Escalade I can go to GM Parts direct and locate the diagrams, find the part number and make a purchase (or cross-reference it with the aftermarket and buy elsewhere for about 1/3 the price). Is there any such place to buy HD parts or do I have to scour junkyards for bits and pieces (or find similar auto equivalents and splice them in)?
Wishing you all well, and I look forward to being part of the community.
John (HotRodJPod)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Welcome from down the road John. Reading the other post sounds like you got the bulb fixed?
Several places for parts if you still need them.
And in this area you know to watch out for old people, Asians, young female drivers, pretty much anyone in a cage..
Enjoy the Ride!
Several places for parts if you still need them.
And in this area you know to watch out for old people, Asians, young female drivers, pretty much anyone in a cage..
Enjoy the Ride!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 771
Likes: 572
From: Northern Lower Mi.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
@CrBear Thanks for the connection, yes I have had a couple hairy situations on my XS, I expect no less on the HD, always alert. I did get it fixed, though not sure for how long, the connection is a bit loose so I think it is only a matter of time I will be revisiting it, likely needing to replace the connection, so any parts places (or HD Part number finders are appreciated). I hope to not need to use it often, but would like to be able to track down a part if I need it. Hoping the surging issue was fixed by tightening/cleaning the grounds, will see in the next day or two now that I can get out and ride having a brake light.
@ChetB Thanks for the link, I will check it out.
@ChetB Thanks for the link, I will check it out.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Your speedo issue might be your sensor on the trans. Mine would get what looks like whiskers on the magnet, which are metal shavings which are pretty common.They are easy to clean up, just pull the sensor and wipe them off with a rag. You might want to change your fluids if they haven't been done recently. Also J&P cycles is a good source for parts. Contact them and have them send you a parts book. It has pretty much any part your bike will need cheaper then the dealer. As far as your brake lights go, check your fuse first, if that' s good test your brake light switches for power. Be careful with the front switch, they are easy to break when you try to reassemble the cover.,,,
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