My Bike Eats Headlights!
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
My Bike Eats Headlights!
I bought an 09 streetglide brand new. The lowbeam on the stock bulb lasted only a few months. I bought the harley high output bulb and had to replace it a few months later. A few months later it was gone again. This time I drop about $50 on a PIAA extra special, high output, super duty, rough service bulb and low and behold it has lasted only a few months as well!
WTF is going on here?
Anyone else having this issue?
Any thoughts?
My volt meter is showing around 14 volts, so I don't believe it is a voltage regulator issue. Besides, I have had no other electrical problems.
For what I have spent on bulbs I could have bought a new LED headlight setup.
WTF is going on here?
Anyone else having this issue?
Any thoughts?
My volt meter is showing around 14 volts, so I don't believe it is a voltage regulator issue. Besides, I have had no other electrical problems.
For what I have spent on bulbs I could have bought a new LED headlight setup.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Bulbs
Really, if your voltage is not very high, which your gauge indicates it's not. The only three things I can think of that would cause the bulbs to go bad are:
1. excessive vibration
2. You are touching the bulb and getting finger grease on them.
3. You got bad axed luck and all your bulbs ar defective.
IMHO
1. excessive vibration
2. You are touching the bulb and getting finger grease on them.
3. You got bad axed luck and all your bulbs ar defective.
IMHO
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Boston & thereabouts
[quote=hdmg;8290239...My volt meter is showing around 14 volts, so I don't believe it is a voltage regulator issue. Besides, I have had no other electrical problems....[/quote]
14 volts engine off?
14 volts engine idle?
14 volts at 3,000 rpm?
JR
14 volts engine off?
14 volts engine idle?
14 volts at 3,000 rpm?
JR
I have an 06 and a 07 Road King I have checked everything on both bikes,bought every bulb known to man..They will each burn out at about 4,000 miles..Had one go out again yesterday..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
had head light problems on mt co. service van after I installed silver star headlights and did some reading on the subject and apparently the bright bulbs burn hotter and there for do not last as long , my guess is like a lot of stuff made these days they are not as good as they used to be
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Guess I am Lucky still have all my OEM lights on the 09 Ultra with 29K on the Clock but I do cleck all my Sockets, Spray with Contact Cleaner and Dielectric Grease them once a year ..
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 109
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I have been very careful about not touching the bulb during installation. Everything is good and snug.
I don't think my bike vibrates any more than any others I've seen.
As for the voltmeter, it indicates about 14 volts once you get the motor above idle and stays there thrfoughout the rpm ranges. There is no indication of any problems there.
As far as the brighter bulbs burning hotter theory, it makes sense, however the stock bulb lasted no longer than the brighter ones.
Has anyone tried the new LED headlights and what do you think of their looks and performance?
I don't think my bike vibrates any more than any others I've seen.
As for the voltmeter, it indicates about 14 volts once you get the motor above idle and stays there thrfoughout the rpm ranges. There is no indication of any problems there.
As far as the brighter bulbs burning hotter theory, it makes sense, however the stock bulb lasted no longer than the brighter ones.
Has anyone tried the new LED headlights and what do you think of their looks and performance?
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Grand Rapids, MI.
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