My new-to-me '03 Deuce has been a great bike over the summer, well flawless, actually.

Just for fun I relocated the rear turn signals which was easy and trouble free and required removing the rear taillight assembly. It is a snap in type housing held in place with hard rubber tangs at the top and bottom - no screws on a factory custom I guess.

I snapped the thing back in place pretty securely I thought and took a 2 hour ride. When I returned, the taillight is dangling out the back. I put it back in taking care to really make sure it is secure - and it seems so at a standstill. Next ride = dangling tail light.

I ride on some pretty rough rural Wisconsin roads but am I missing something in installing this thing? Anyone else have a similar issue?

Thanks!

 

The push in tab may have given up. When it appears snapped on, is it snug against fender? If so, the wires may be keeping it off. Remove, make sure wires are positioned correctly and clear. With it turned so back side is facing out, is the lower spring tab pushed back away so it's obvious when the assembly is push in, it would not be square to slot when snap in? Is the upper long clip look good? Mine is not real tight when snapped on but it take some effort with a round long philips to push up thru under the fender lip thru the plate light lense to release tail light lense assembly.

 

Happened to me too. I broke one of the tabs bought a new one on eBay that came with a led bulb for thirty bucks. Had it on my bike for 3+ years no fogging or problems

 

A couple of years ago I had to replace the taillight bulb. The next time I rode the bike, when I got home the same thing had happened. It turned out that when I reinstalled the housing I didn't get all the wiring pushed back into the recess properly. This had prevented the snap lock tab from engaging. No problems since then.

 

Thanks guys.

Based on your comments and experience I suspect that I didn't have the wiring tucked away neatly enough.

It is quite possible that the one of the connectors got between the fender underside and tail light housing and either kept it from fully latching or reduced whatever free space is necessary.

I'll get on that before my ride today.

 

I took a hacksaw and opened up the slot on the tab a little bit more and haven't had an issue with it since.