Headlight Issue
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Stage II
Joined: Feb 2026
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Headlight Issue
Hello y'all! I got an 07 sportster xl1200c that I recently customized. I've changed the handlebars to a chopperish type that involved removing my turn signals and removing a lot of hand control electronics. They're 12 inch apes now & after I finished I realized my headlight doesn't work and I'm not sure why. The taillight works and gets brighter when I apply the rear brake. The fuse isn't blown and I've just replaced the bulb for a brand new one; no success. I'm not entirely sure where to go with it now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
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From: England
Stating the obvious you clearly messed something up if it were working before you started with your mods.
The power for the headlamp goes through the switch control to select dipped beam or high beam, so the switch is required.
Wiring diagram here:- 99949-07_en_v1.1 - 2007 Wiring Diagrams
The power for the headlamp goes through the switch control to select dipped beam or high beam, so the switch is required.
Wiring diagram here:- 99949-07_en_v1.1 - 2007 Wiring Diagrams
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Stating the obvious you clearly messed something up if it were working before you started with your mods.
The power for the headlamp goes through the switch control to select dipped beam or high beam, so the switch is required.
Wiring diagram here:- 99949-07_en_v1.1 - 2007 Wiring Diagrams
The power for the headlamp goes through the switch control to select dipped beam or high beam, so the switch is required.
Wiring diagram here:- 99949-07_en_v1.1 - 2007 Wiring Diagrams
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
If you don't want a switch then you will only have dipped beam as you would wire the power direct to the bulb.
Check local laws as you might need to have dipped and high beam together with a blue high beam indication dash lamp to pass inspection.
Check local laws as you might need to have dipped and high beam together with a blue high beam indication dash lamp to pass inspection.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Feb 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Santa Ana, CA
Ya, there are a lot of rules around the headlight but if you live in the US there is no inspections so just running a low beam will pass muster. My bike was originally set up this way when I bought it and I rode like that for a few years. No problem.
Road Warrior
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From: the 'ville' kentucky
especially grounds...................
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
Hello y'all! I got an 07 sportster xl1200c that I recently customized. I've changed the handlebars to a chopperish type that involved removing my turn signals and removing a lot of hand control electronics. They're 12 inch apes now & after I finished I realized my headlight doesn't work and I'm not sure why. The taillight works and gets brighter when I apply the rear brake. The fuse isn't blown and I've just replaced the bulb for a brand new one; no success. I'm not entirely sure where to go with it now.
Basically the low beam wire was not selected when wiring the headlight.
The headlight is a constant 12 volt + once the ignition is ON.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: In the foothills of southwestern NC - US of A
However, if a motorcycle was originally manufactured with only a low beam headlamp it would pass inspection, as it's "original equipment," just like an automobile that was manufactured before seat belts were mandatory would be legal as well, not requiring seat belts to pass an equipment inspection.
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