71 XLCH Dies while riding

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May 8, 2024 | 04:02 PM

#11

carlgrover

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From: Decatur, Alabama

You might check the taillight wires as they run along/inside the fender and not just in the taillight itself. I've never done it on my ironhead but I was shocked when I saw how the taillight wires ran through the inside of the rear fender.

carl

May 8, 2024 | 06:39 PM

#12

Spooch22

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From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgrover

Screwed around a little today with it. I pretty much tried all I could to trip the CB again. I pushed,pulled,rubbed and twisted the wires leading to the taillight and all good. Could it be the bulb wasn’t seated properly? I pretty much just removed and re installed the bulb and problem went away.

May 9, 2024 | 06:31 PM

#13

Spooch22

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From: New Jersey

Checked things out again today. Started by checking for short in taillight.Not much going on in there it looked all good. I removed bulb to check everything out. Re installed the bulb and popped the CB. I noticed the brake light wouldn’t come on when brakes were applied and when lights were turned on the taillight was bright like when brakes are applied but they weren’t. I removed the bulb and noticed it wasn’t installed correctly as it has staggered slots when you insert it. After installing the bulb correctly took the bike out for a short ride and everything worked perfectly. Go figure. 🤪

May 15, 2024 | 05:36 PM

#14

carlgrover

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From: Decatur, Alabama

Glad it worked out.

carl

May 16, 2024 | 06:49 PM

#15

Spooch22

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From: New Jersey

Thanks for the help. I’m still not sure a improperly installed bulb could cause a tripped circuit breaker but I’m going to go with it for now. 🤔

May 17, 2024 | 06:49 AM

#16

johnjzjz

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From: la la land jerzey

No that was not it - its in the power to wiring but the headlight has a nest of wires in it AS well as going to and from the headlight

many times have found a chaffed wire in or around the headlight - now that you have re positioned the wire harness pulling on it your moved the issue

pull the gas tank make sure a wire edge is not being squeeezed - around the coil the white wire is suspect from the ign switch - ignition switch is the once in a blue moon falter thing but it happens - directional wires orange is power if not used maybe one is grounding - you cant let it fool you into thinking everything is ok

just pull up a chair and have at it till you find it - if not 50 miles from home no cell service on a dark hi way at night RT 80 in jersey is the speed limit it seems and they have made the shoulder the passing lane and a monsoon starts will teach you to make sure you found it next time -

May 17, 2024 | 02:10 PM

#17

Spooch22

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From: New Jersey

Yeah I’m not that lucky. Always pisses me off when these issues happen on such a sweet running bike. Not my first rodeo as I’ve been riding vintage bikes for many years. I’ll dig in again but I just want to ride the damn thing.

May 23, 2024 | 08:22 PM

#18

Spooch22

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From: New Jersey

You nailed it John!! Found a orange wire behind headlight was chafed. Looks like it was grounding itself on a bracket just below the bar clamps. Got to be honest still a little nervous with these things but zero issues since I found and repaired the wire.