Headlight's shaking all over the place
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Sorry to bring up such as old post but I am hoping someone can post pics of their fix. I pulled up my manual and it doesn't give any kind of breakdown on the headlight assemply (behind the light itself).
Anyone done anything since this post to fix the issue on FXST's?
Anyone done anything since this post to fix the issue on FXST's?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2,542
You need to check and see if one or more of the vibration dampers is broken inside the bucket. I had to order new ones from MSC Direct. Those parts aren't available from the MOCO seperatly. They want to sell you a complete shell. The dampers cost, if I remember right, about $2 each.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
You need to check and see if one or more of the vibration dampers is broken inside the bucket. I had to order new ones from MSC Direct. Those parts aren't available from the MOCO seperatly. They want to sell you a complete shell. The dampers cost, if I remember right, about $2 each.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2,542
Correct. Remove the headlight assembly, than start rocking the shell back and forth and look for seperation in the dampers.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 709
From: San Diego
I hated the shaky light on my bike, especially with the led and visor. Inside the headlight housing there is a big chunk of rubber under the bulb. It just slides off if you pull on it. I pulled it off, and flipped it over. The light still shakes, but it is much much less.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Well, my fix for now is I took a piece of plastic and wedged it under the bracket to stablize the whole this. Now, the headlight won't go up and down with much play at all. Not sure if the plastic piece will hold though, I think I will end up buying the nylon spacers and just getting rid of the rubber pieces (at least the front two).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Didn't like the way the piece of plastic was wedged under the bracket in the bucket so I made a quick trip to Lowes.
Spent about 6$. I assume I used what others did in this thread but there are no more pics. Lol
1" long 1/4" x 20 Bolt
Star washer (stock)
Inner bracket
1/4" rubber washer
1/2" long 1/4" nylon spacer that I cut about 1/4 off of it (not 1/4", I just cut about a 1/4 off of the 1/2" spacer)
1/4" rubber washer
Bucket
Washer (stock)
Acorn nut (stock)
Blue loctite on the end of the bolt before putting the acorn nut on
Everything tightened down really snug and there is still a little play but not much. The little play that is there is probably because I left the one rubber washer on the back side of the bracket.
Spent about 6$. I assume I used what others did in this thread but there are no more pics. Lol
1" long 1/4" x 20 Bolt
Star washer (stock)
Inner bracket
1/4" rubber washer
1/2" long 1/4" nylon spacer that I cut about 1/4 off of it (not 1/4", I just cut about a 1/4 off of the 1/2" spacer)
1/4" rubber washer
Bucket
Washer (stock)
Acorn nut (stock)
Blue loctite on the end of the bolt before putting the acorn nut on
Everything tightened down really snug and there is still a little play but not much. The little play that is there is probably because I left the one rubber washer on the back side of the bracket.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Didn't like the way the piece of plastic was wedged under the bracket in the bucket so I made a quick trip to Lowes.
Spent about 6$. I assume I used what others did in this thread but there are no more pics. Lol
1" long 1/4" x 20 Bolt
Star washer (stock)
Inner bracket
1/4" rubber washer
1/2" long 1/4" nylon spacer that I cut about 1/4 off of it (not 1/4", I just cut about a 1/4 off of the 1/2" spacer)
1/4" rubber washer
Bucket
Washer (stock)
Acorn nut (stock)
Blue loctite on the end of the bolt before putting the acorn nut on
Everything tightened down really snug and there is still a little play but not much. The little play that is there is probably because I left the one rubber washer on the back side of the bracket.
Spent about 6$. I assume I used what others did in this thread but there are no more pics. Lol
1" long 1/4" x 20 Bolt
Star washer (stock)
Inner bracket
1/4" rubber washer
1/2" long 1/4" nylon spacer that I cut about 1/4 off of it (not 1/4", I just cut about a 1/4 off of the 1/2" spacer)
1/4" rubber washer
Bucket
Washer (stock)
Acorn nut (stock)
Blue loctite on the end of the bolt before putting the acorn nut on
Everything tightened down really snug and there is still a little play but not much. The little play that is there is probably because I left the one rubber washer on the back side of the bracket.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
First off I must say that after riding the bike at night over the past few weeks the headlight reminded me of a monkey that just drank 2 gallons of mountain dew and is riding a jackhammer... I am almost certain by the end of the ride I am nearing the point of a grand mal seizure.
So I took a ride to Lowes this evening and bought a couple nylon spacers, 1/4" bolts, nuts, neoprene washers and a few zinc plated washers. Took the headlight apart and then commenced to fighting with the dreaded rubber/stud/demons from hell. I must say that if I ever were to design something like those medieval torture devices feel free to light me on fire and launch me out of a canon. What were the engineers thinking of on that one?!?!?
Now the headlight is solid. Did a little adjustment for height and it is a wonderful thing!!!
On a side note. On the way home from Lowes I ran into a Verizon truck that was stuck along side the road. He had the truck buried. I yelled out the window to see if he wanted me to pull him out. He looked at me kinda funny and said "Do you think that will pull me out?" (I have a lifted and locked Cherokee.) I told him sure. Pulled him out with no problem, and as I was wrapping up my rope he walked over and handed me a $20. Guess that paid for the gas and parts run!!!
So I took a ride to Lowes this evening and bought a couple nylon spacers, 1/4" bolts, nuts, neoprene washers and a few zinc plated washers. Took the headlight apart and then commenced to fighting with the dreaded rubber/stud/demons from hell. I must say that if I ever were to design something like those medieval torture devices feel free to light me on fire and launch me out of a canon. What were the engineers thinking of on that one?!?!?
Now the headlight is solid. Did a little adjustment for height and it is a wonderful thing!!!
On a side note. On the way home from Lowes I ran into a Verizon truck that was stuck along side the road. He had the truck buried. I yelled out the window to see if he wanted me to pull him out. He looked at me kinda funny and said "Do you think that will pull me out?" (I have a lifted and locked Cherokee.) I told him sure. Pulled him out with no problem, and as I was wrapping up my rope he walked over and handed me a $20. Guess that paid for the gas and parts run!!!