Brake light?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 433
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From: Northern Alabama
Brake light?
OK, so I was riding in the grand state of KY & I pulled into a rest stop. A friendly state HP advised me that my brake lights were not functioning correctly. He said that the light on the fender should work with the normal brake operation. However, as long as the trunk lights were working that I was good. He was friendly enough and just wanted to let me know that I had a problem.
My question is was he correct? As far as I know the center fender light has only worked as a "taillight" and to illuminate the license plate. What is correct? Is this supposed to be a brake light?
We also discovered that my right rear turn signal was not working. He just told me to use hand signals until I got it repaired. When I got home I discovered the bulb was a "1156" amber tinted bulb. I replaced it with a standard "1156" clear. Should I have used the amber?
My question is was he correct? As far as I know the center fender light has only worked as a "taillight" and to illuminate the license plate. What is correct? Is this supposed to be a brake light?
We also discovered that my right rear turn signal was not working. He just told me to use hand signals until I got it repaired. When I got home I discovered the bulb was a "1156" amber tinted bulb. I replaced it with a standard "1156" clear. Should I have used the amber?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
The light on the fender (not the low fender tip light) is a running/brake light and should function as one. Your brake filament is probably burned out.
If your turn signal lens is amber, you are ok with the clear bulb. You would need an amber bulb if you have the smoked lens.
If your turn signal lens is amber, you are ok with the clear bulb. You would need an amber bulb if you have the smoked lens.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
Same situation here and it made me wonder whether the light worked at all before. Post back if you find a solution - I have pulled the modular harness out, changed bulbs, etc, and it still doesn't work. I figured it can't be the brake light switches because then the truck lights wouldn't work either. No idea at this point...
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 594
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From: Arkansas
I guess my question would be why can't you run red signal bulbs in the rear turn signals or is it goin to be different for every other state? Since Harley sells the module to run the turn signals as added brake lights.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
LEO's would probably say you need a brake light on the fender because that is where they are used to seeing them.
And yes it should work as a brake light (see other HD models without the tourpak) (My fender brake light works even with the tour pack on).
Some brake lights will only work if the lense is attached to the housing, do not check with the bulb hanging freely.
And yes it should work as a brake light (see other HD models without the tourpak) (My fender brake light works even with the tour pack on).
Some brake lights will only work if the lense is attached to the housing, do not check with the bulb hanging freely.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Rear signal lights can be red or amber. Lens or bulb has to be colored. Doesn't matter which. Clear light is not good and both lans and bulb colored is unnecessary.
Your fender light should absolutly work as a brake light too. I'm sure you'd be considered legal with only Tour-Pak brake lights but I'd try to find out why it's not working.
Your fender light should absolutly work as a brake light too. I'm sure you'd be considered legal with only Tour-Pak brake lights but I'd try to find out why it's not working.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 433
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From: Northern Alabama
I worked this out (sort of). After testing the bulb I discovered that it was good. I tweaked the wires on the bulb to get them to make contact with the socket and resolved the issue. However, in so doing I discovered I now had another issue. What I learned was that the brake light was staying on most of the time.
After a bit more troubleshooting I learned the the issue was with the operation of the front brake light switch on the right cluster. I purchased the infamous clip and installed it behind the switch, but that did not resolve the issue. What i finally did was to pull the front brake lever and using a dab of epoxy to stick a small #4 nut to the arm on the lever that makes contact with the switch. This added about 1/8 inch to the contact pad allowing the switch to be depressed enough to break contact. FWIW, the switch is an "always on" sort of design and the brake lever pushes it in when it is forward (off) position.
I know this is not actually "correct", but it did resolve the problem.
After a bit more troubleshooting I learned the the issue was with the operation of the front brake light switch on the right cluster. I purchased the infamous clip and installed it behind the switch, but that did not resolve the issue. What i finally did was to pull the front brake lever and using a dab of epoxy to stick a small #4 nut to the arm on the lever that makes contact with the switch. This added about 1/8 inch to the contact pad allowing the switch to be depressed enough to break contact. FWIW, the switch is an "always on" sort of design and the brake lever pushes it in when it is forward (off) position.
I know this is not actually "correct", but it did resolve the problem.
Last edited by Route66rider; Sep 25, 2010 at 06:34 AM. Reason: typos
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: New York
There is a good reason although no requirement that you use a bulb colored the same as the lense (assuming not smoked). If you use a white light bulb with an amber lens the bulb is emitting white light (whole spectrum) at stated intensity. The lens is blocking all but the amber light. If you use an amber bulb at the same intensity the lens will block almost none of the light and the effect will be a brighter directional.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 433
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From: Northern Alabama
There is a good reason although no requirement that you use a bulb colored the same as the lense (assuming not smoked). If you use a white light bulb with an amber lens the bulb is emitting white light (whole spectrum) at stated intensity. The lens is blocking all but the amber light. If you use an amber bulb at the same intensity the lens will block almost none of the light and the effect will be a brighter directional.
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