Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Issues?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
Stefon's Avatar
Stefon
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, La
Default Issues?

Hello all. I've finally purchased my first sportster. I've owned numerous Hondas, yamahas and kawasaki cruisers but always wanted a Harley.I picked up a 97 xl1200 for a insane price. I have a few wiring issues and zero wrenching knowledge. The running light is out but the brake light only works with my back brake. Also the blinkers are shot. They work but don't go off easy. Any ideas for a newbie?
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 3,864
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

Check your bulbs, work the turn signal switches over and over, might be corroded contacts. Front brakelight switch could be broken too, I think that is quite common for people who take off the controls and aren't careful with re-install.

Get yourself a service manual, most motorcycles are pretty easy to do minor work at home.

John
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 03:56 PM
  #3  
WVHogRider's Avatar
WVHogRider
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Default

Welcome to the site and to HD. Grab yourself a service manual from someplace like Ebay for your year sporty. I grabbed one on there for my '00 model for about $30 including shipping. Your rear blinkers should only be lit when they are signaling your turn after you've hit the turn signal button, and they do not act as any type of running light. Your rear brake light should be a dual filament bulb and act as both a brake and running light. Also, I can't remember if you have to hold the button in on the '97 model for the blinkers to stay on or not......which just came up in another thread not to long ago. You should also get plenty of help from all of us here at HDF.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 04:12 PM
  #4  
Stefon's Avatar
Stefon
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, La
Default

Thanks for the quick replies. When I start it the left blinkers automatically starts and when i engage the right side it switches over to the left. The running tail light never works and the only brake that does is my foot. I replaced the tail light and it's still the same. I would like to just rewire the whole lighting system. Even with this issues I know know I can never go back to any other bike. This thing is white knuckle fast!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TroubleHead Fred
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
3
Aug 4, 2017 11:46 AM
celanoc
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
0
Jul 30, 2017 12:59 PM
FastEddie1200
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
5
Oct 30, 2014 02:59 AM
smokinwill
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
0
Feb 22, 2014 01:12 PM
travalab
Softail Models
4
Jul 11, 2013 08:33 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:14 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE