I picked up a 05 883 custom last fall. To late in the season to ride. The owner did not know how old the battery was so I just put one in. For some reason I did not check the lights when I got it so dont know if they were working. It starts fine, all lights are good except the tail. It is bright and when I use the front brake the light gets dimmer. When I use the rear , it stays the same. I cleaned the battery connections. Any help ? thanks

 

Bad bulb?

Maybe need a new rear brakelight switch, mine failed a couple months ago. I hear it's a common failure. $20 at the stealer, or you could buy at an auto parts for a generic switch supposedly.

John

 

The front switch is reading backwards. Have bypassed it for now. The tail and rear brake light works . All I have to do now is figure out how to change the switch

 

Just did a 2700 mile ride on my sporty. Rear brake took a dump. Found the wires pulled loose from the switch located left side lokwer near swing arm. connected them up. still nada. best thing is to get a cheap multi meter and start reading voltage. old aircraft mech tip also is to jumper the switch. Just one of those little pain in the butt things that come up with a harley. Still after riding from California to Miami i'm convinced its the best dang motorcycle I ever owned. BTW shes a 95 with lord knows how many miles behind her.

 

are you saying the light is bright normally and gets dimmer when you put the brake on???if so the light bulb is in backwards ( 180 degrees off)...take the bub out turn it 1/2 turn and put it back in...

 

Can you actually put a light in backwards? Not poking fun. Serious?

 

asitively....posilutly....its not too easy, but I managed to do it once ....