Low beam out, WTF?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Purgatory, Fl
Low beam out, WTF?
Just rode out to grills in canaveral for some fish tacos and on the way home (dusk) was thinking it was a little dark. Someone flashed me and I flashed back and WOW, there was LIGHT! Low beam is out. Was working a couple hours ago when I left.
I wonder if this would be covered under warranty? It's the upgrade bulb from Harley, put in at when I bought it. 3500 miles, less than 6 months old. That's a little quick for a bulb.
Warranty on bulbs?
I wonder if this would be covered under warranty? It's the upgrade bulb from Harley, put in at when I bought it. 3500 miles, less than 6 months old. That's a little quick for a bulb.
Warranty on bulbs?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
if FLA allows it, try using high beam in the daylight hours, that'll even out the wear.
2.) the cause of recurring bulb failures is often a bad ground, check that the ground is clean and tight
3.) and look at the headlamp plug, if it shows signs of heat damage, melting, deformed, replace with a high heat ( high watt capable) from pepboys.
4.) "extra" light bulbs typically have a shorter service life. some phillps or sylvania bulb packages will have a chart showing beam spread, light output and service life
mike
2.) the cause of recurring bulb failures is often a bad ground, check that the ground is clean and tight
3.) and look at the headlamp plug, if it shows signs of heat damage, melting, deformed, replace with a high heat ( high watt capable) from pepboys.
4.) "extra" light bulbs typically have a shorter service life. some phillps or sylvania bulb packages will have a chart showing beam spread, light output and service life
mike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 144
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From: Purgatory, Fl
I have an 01 gmc with 128000 miles and I've never changed the headlight bulbs. Even for the Harley "upgrade" ones I think 3500 miles is a little slim.
What's entailed in changing the bulb? Pull the trim ring and a couple screws and it comes out or pull the fairing?
What's entailed in changing the bulb? Pull the trim ring and a couple screws and it comes out or pull the fairing?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 871
Likes: 7
From: Manchester, NH
I have used the upgraded bulbs on 2 different bike in years past and experienced the same issue as you, short life. At least the high beams works when they go. Now I just use the stock bulbs and they seem to last forever.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I have an 01 gmc with 128000 miles and I've never changed the headlight bulbs. Even for the Harley "upgrade" ones I think 3500 miles is a little slim.
What's entailed in changing the bulb? Pull the trim ring and a couple screws and it comes out or pull the fairing?
What's entailed in changing the bulb? Pull the trim ring and a couple screws and it comes out or pull the fairing?
however I have changed the daytime running light bulbs about 4 or 5 times each--- they are on the most, do most of my driving in the daytime
easiest to pull the fairing to change bulb.
if you have not pulled the fairing before there are tips, you can search for.
again, high output bulbs are more fragile...and motorcycle parts suffer more vibrations, and more road shock than the GMC
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 13, 2012 at 09:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Purgatory, Fl
Don't get me started on those damn DRL's. Lol.
I agree, plus, mine is lowered in the rear and pretty damn stiff.. I can buy the vibration being bad for the bulb. Now I have an excuse to buy the led headlight. 540 bucks. Ouch.
Too bad streamlight doesn't make an led light for our bikes. I have a streamlight that I've had to retrieve from the bottom of the lake, dropped onto concrete from 30 feet and used as a hammer more than once and that little sucker still works as good as ever.
I agree, plus, mine is lowered in the rear and pretty damn stiff.. I can buy the vibration being bad for the bulb. Now I have an excuse to buy the led headlight. 540 bucks. Ouch.
Too bad streamlight doesn't make an led light for our bikes. I have a streamlight that I've had to retrieve from the bottom of the lake, dropped onto concrete from 30 feet and used as a hammer more than once and that little sucker still works as good as ever.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 144
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From: Purgatory, Fl
Guess while I'm at it I can put some better speaker in there too. Maybe an amp. 
Damn, all I wanted was some fish tacos. Lol.
Damn, all I wanted was some fish tacos. Lol.
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