Hi all,
I used to have a front blinking bulb that just kept going off after a few rides, and I couldn't figure out why.

My tail light is now exhibiting the same sympton (running light works, but the brake light goes out after a few days of riding)..

That is a situation I can't tolerate,

Anybody faced that before ? maybe you can help me narrow it down ? I don't know how to check the ground on the tail light, the wires seem to be running under the fender .

I'm a complete newb in electric issues

Regards

A.

 

I doubt it is a grounding issue, both elements share a common ground. The 2 most likely causes are oxidation and excessive vibration. Check the inside of the lamp holder for oxidation, and use a wire brush to clean it out. Then apply some dielectric grease to the base of the bulb before you reinstall it. This will prevent oxidation and absorb some of the vibes our bikes are famous for.

Another thing to note is that all lamps are not created equal, saving a buck or 2 on cheapo bulbs is not the way to go.

Hope this helps

 

Can't tell with the turn signal lamp but check out the brake light. It has two electrodes on the bottom (1157). One gets power for a running light and other (much brighter) is for the brake. Unfortunately, it is easy to put the tail like in backwards. Ever see a car riding down the road where one of their brake lights is always on? It burns out quickly (and can melt plastic too). Whenever you put a bulb in that has two electrodes on the bottom make sure the light is dim when the brakes aren't applied.

Another thing - but this is mostly for headlights I think - try never to touch the bulbs with your fingers. The oil will cause the glass to crack when it gets hot. Use a clean cloth to install bulbs.

Finally - and I'm still plagued by this problem - water gets into my tail light. I don't know if it is from condensation or rain is leaking in. My brake light burns out a little to often. Sometimes the glass has shattered inside.

 

All the bulbs were bought from HD, so I think I may go cheapo .
I have dielectric grease on all bulbs.

 

Interesting about the greasy hands , but the problem is the break light (high light ) is the one that burns so is the signal light in the front (same symptom)..

Sighh.. the mystery continues

 

i had installed the turn brake hd kit and i lost one side 3 times in a month and then the last bulb i got was wal-mart heavy duty trailer and it has never gone out in almost 2 years. i think it is bulb quality

 

Is your flasher having excessive pressure applied to it from your seat or something riding on it?
Last summer I had the same issue, and it turned out to the one of the bungs on the new corbin seat. The bung was riding on the flasher and consequently shorting everything out, blowing bulbs in the back, and making the front LED's act goofy.
Removed the bung and everything went right back to normal.

 

that is excaclty what I am having now because the front is acting goofy..
Further more I did move a socket with its wires a bit under the seat to put a frame cover for a spring seat, I did not think there was any pressure points as I made sure I can still push it around after I mounted the seat, but this sounds very interesting to me now.. very interesting..

What do you mean by 'Flasher' .. what does it look like ? how do I find it ?

Regards

A.

 

Are they interchangable with my current stock bulbs ? mmm...

 

should be, most bulbs out there have some sort of 'rough service' variation