new FLHTK explodes (spotlight)
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 432
From: Iowa
left spotlight blew bulb and shattered glass tonight / 922 miles. Will check with dealer tomorrow and see if they will replace, just posted earlier today about suspect voltage regulator. Try and get that replaced along with a horn that worked once and quit as well. Only 18 days old, love the bike but not the best start. Guess we'll see tommorrow what lengths the dealer is gonna go to service this customer. Don't expect any flac, we'll see....
How are the newer ones installed, do they have a single screw at the bottom?
On the older ones, if they are not installed perfectly with the ring centered exactly the same all the way around, and you tighten the screw too much the glass will be "loaded". Heating and cooling, and or a slight tap from a rock will make them blow-up.
Or...even if installed correctly, but just too tight, the same will happen.
On the older ones, if they are not installed perfectly with the ring centered exactly the same all the way around, and you tighten the screw too much the glass will be "loaded". Heating and cooling, and or a slight tap from a rock will make them blow-up.
Or...even if installed correctly, but just too tight, the same will happen.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 936
Likes: 21
From: Paying taxes in New York State
Well, I'm a member of the left spotlight exploded club. Picked up my new 2012 Ember Red Sunglo/Merlot Limited on Friday, rode all day Saturday and parked the bike in my garage. This morning I walked out to the garage to find glass all over the place. I will call my dealer first thing Monday morning to see what they'll do. For those who reported this issue a month ago - did anybody give you a cause?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 31
From: Eastern PA
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Since this just happened to a friend of mine, his spotlight exploded while bike is sitting in garage overnight, here are my two cents. Whoever/wherever the spot lights are being assembled for HD, oil is getting on the halogen bulb (through skin contact or other means). With Halogen bulbs, this is a big no-no. Halogen light bulbs use a semi-permeable glass and oil from the skin can penetrate the bulb. the oil on your skin is a hazardous impurity on the surface of the bulb. When the bulb gets hot, the oil attacks the surface and creates a weak spot. This leads to shortening of the life span of the light bulb. In severe cases, the weak spot may lead to bulb failure and explosion. In the meantime, do not ever stand in front of the motorcycle without your safety glasses on. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
