Hey guys this is kinda a two part question so let me start with the most important first.
1. My tail light has been acting up. The brake light always works but the running light is intermitant. I removed the tail light cover and jiggled and twisted the bulb in the socket and could get it to come on. I reassembled the light and it still worked but when I turned off the bake and turn the power on the ignition switch it wasnt working again. What do you guys think is the solution.

2. Is the solution to just go ahead and break down and buy the cycle visions eliminator and update everything to LED's and not have to worry about bulbs anymore? Also, if I do go this route, whats the best way to cover up the three holes that once held the licence plate.

 

See if you have a loose pin in the fuse box or in the socket the light goes in.

 

Well it looks like when I play with the bulb in the socket I can make it come on and off.

 

Get in there with a pic and bend the tabs a little bit.

 

This might be a dumb question but whats the best way to remove the bulb from the socket? I didnt see an obvious way of doing it and I could just see myself manhandling it and breaking the whole bloody thing.

 

Pull on the bulb. You wont break it! The left colum click on tail light assy.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....dmc&A=702&B=39

 

If you have a run brake turn module it could be that as well although it sounds like it is the connection at the bulb. I had a Harley brand rtb module go bad on me in the past.

Drew

 

To pull the bulb out of the tail light lines – rotate the rubber socket ¼ turn anticlockwise, then pull hard. Assemble in the reverse order – push it in while mating the clocking feature, then rotate it clockwise to a full stop.

To replace the bulb – just pull the bulb out of the rubber socket. It is kind of hard but a man can do it. New bulb – just push it in, orientation does not matter.

Looks like need a new bulb – with incandescent bulbs on Harleys the filament is what brakes due to vibration (this is why they use rubber sockets, to reduce the vibration somewhat). Your description matches the symptoms you would ordinarily observe when the filament of the bulb brakes – you tap the bulb or move it around, then the filament makes contact with the terminal/ post and the light comes on. Then once you turn the light off the filament cools down and shrinks and brakes the contact again. It is all internal to the bulb.

 

+1 and Bulb part # is 3057.

 

Thanks guys you rock!!!!