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Front lights dim when shifting

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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 08:18 PM
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Default Front lights dim when shifting

Very weird. Friends '10 road king.

When he shifts, his headlights dim.

WTF? Any wisdom here?
 
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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 08:30 PM
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Cables are loose on battery
 
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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 08:34 PM
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rpms drop- less electrical power from charging system.

cables are always first check...try shaking the bike ( motor off) in the driveway.

could also indicate battery going bad.

the battery should have enough power stored to 'smooth out" fluctuations in power as the rpms change

if this is something you see in your rearview mirror, probably the focus point or "hot spot" of the lights rising and falling as he accelerates or decellerates


mike
 
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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by RIPSAW
Cables are loose on battery
Good suggestion thanks. But, they dim, they don't flicker.

Definitely will check the battery connections
 
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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Keithhu
Good suggestion thanks. But, they dim, they don't flicker.
Right. When they're lose, they can't carry as much power. Kinda like unscrewing a water hose, but holding it under the spigot. Some water is still gonna get in there.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2014 | 09:53 PM
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My 07 SG started that crap and it ended up being a fried Stator. Always start with the most logical and inexpensive route first, battery connections, battery status, loose wiring, then maybe go the voltage regulator and hope it isn't the stator.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2014 | 04:08 AM
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If there is any doubt about charging, go to the Tech Electrical section, where there are a couple of Stickies that will help diagnose the problem. Don't just replace stuff in hope! The usual other suspects to check out have been mentioned, but I would add main cable ground connections, plus connectors in the light supply wires.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 10:36 AM
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be sure to check the grounds where they mount to the frame. I had the same issue years ago and this was it.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bigheadted
be sure to check the grounds where they mount to the frame. I had the same issue years ago and this was it.
Thanks, where exactly?
 
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 12:56 PM
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RPMs are lower when you let off throttle, stator produces less
 
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