Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cleaning inside headlight and passing light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 07:31 AM
  #61  
mrfikser's Avatar
mrfikser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Default

If I were you I would be a little leery of the brighter bulbs, (normal type bulbs, not LEDS) they burn hotter (that is why they are brighter) which makes them burn out quicker and I find that they are more fragile and tend to go out from a bumpy ride much faster than the 'normal' bulbs...Also because they burn hotter there has been some issues with them melting the plastic-y connection plug on the back (on older models,not sure if this still applies)....But you might find just cleaning the lenses gives you so much more light that you are happy...
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 06:56 PM
  #62  
rgrecco's Avatar
rgrecco
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 44
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Default

Ordered Sylvania Silverstar zXe 9003& 881 for Headlight and Spotlights and regular Sylvania Silverstars for all the turn signals, brake light, and fender tips...

Hopefully they will last a little more then their started 150 hr life expectancy.

While I burn threw them i will be saving money for the Vision X Vortex LED Headlight and Spotlights.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 09:29 PM
  #63  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

Originally Posted by mrfikser
If I were you I would be a little leery of the brighter bulbs, (normal type bulbs, not LEDS) they burn hotter (that is why they are brighter) which makes them burn out quicker and I find that they are more fragile and tend to go out from a bumpy ride much faster than the 'normal' bulbs...Also because they burn hotter there has been some issues with them melting the plastic-y connection plug on the back (on older models,not sure if this still applies)....But you might find just cleaning the lenses gives you so much more light that you are happy...
​​​​​​​I'm one of those that happily uses 90/130 watt bulbs, and they do run hotter...but I also use silicone high heat pigtails. Got mine on Amazon.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 10:47 PM
  #64  
bikerlaw's Avatar
bikerlaw
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Default

Originally Posted by Veekness
​​​​​​​I'm one of those that happily uses 90/130 watt bulbs, and they do run hotter...but I also use silicone high heat pigtails. Got mine on Amazon.
It's good to see people still using the INSANELY bright halogen bulbs. It seems we all (me included) get so wrapped up in the latest and greatest LED sissy bulbs, that we forget how staggeringly bright some of the old school halogen bulbs Actually are. I ran the 80/100 Hella, and that bulb EMBARRASSED most of the current LED options. I suspect the 90/ 130 just kicks freakin...... ***!

Yes. They do run hot, and I always needed to run a ceramic plug to deal with the heat issues. But they are bright as hell, just the same.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 10:50 PM
  #65  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

Originally Posted by bikerlaw
It's good to see people still using the INSANELY bright halogen bulbs. It seems we all (me included) get so wrapped up in the latest and greatest LED sissy bulbs, that we forget how staggeringly bright some of the old school halogen bulbs Actually are. I ran the 80/100 Hella, and that bulb EMBARRASSED most of the current LED options. I suspect the 90/ 130 just kicks freakin...... ***!

Yes. They do run hot, and I always needed to run a ceramic plug to deal with the heat issues. But they are bright as hell, just the same.
​​​​​​​Tellya what...that 90/130 PLUS the two 100 watt landing light bulbs in the spotlights truly turns night into day!
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2017 | 07:02 PM
  #66  
rgrecco's Avatar
rgrecco
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 44
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Default

Originally Posted by Veekness
​​​​​​​Tellya what...that 90/130 PLUS the two 100 watt landing light bulbs in the spotlights truly turns night into day!
100watt bulbs in the spotlights?!?!?!

Buy new housings every bulb change or you using sealed beam?
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2017 | 10:07 PM
  #67  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

Originally Posted by rgrecco
100watt bulbs in the spotlights?!?!?!

Buy new housings every bulb change or you using sealed beam?
​​​​​​​Sealed beam Wagners
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2017 | 08:06 AM
  #68  
mrfikser's Avatar
mrfikser
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Default

A few other things I failed to mention..the higher/brighter light bulbs also draw more current (use more electricity) so they are harder on your voltage regulator/ rectifier circuit, electrical wiring and and alternator, and have the potential of reducing you fuel milage (albeit, not much) also once again this does not include LEDs ...just thought I would throw those things out there for you information
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 27, 2017 | 08:12 AM
  #69  
Veekness's Avatar
Veekness
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Default

Originally Posted by mrfikser
A few other things I failed to mention..the higher/brighter light bulbs also draw more current (use more electricity) so they are harder on your voltage regulator/ rectifier circuit, electrical wiring and and alternator, and have the potential of reducing you fuel milage (albeit, not much) also once again this does not include LEDs ...just thought I would throw those things out there for you information
​​​​​​​Very true...so if you go my way you take all of these things into account, both in how you execute the system and how you use it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2019 | 10:45 PM
  #70  
WoWen2's Avatar
WoWen2
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: OHIO
Default

Originally Posted by mike5380
When do you guys start seeing this haze appearing? how many miles, how old is your bike?

I have a 2010 RK with alomst 20,000 miles. No haze forming in my lenses that I can see.

Mike
My Ultra Classic is a 2004 model and it began showing foggy just last year I noticed it. 37,000 miles on it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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