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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs???
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TOPIC: Re:Burned out headlight bulbs???
#143310
Charlie Horse (User)
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Gender: Male kbatzler kbatzler@hotmail.com Location: La Quinta, CA Birthdate: 1966-01-14
Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Hey guys, I need some help. I purchased my bike new (05 M*) in December 2006. I have since been through 4 headlight bulbs (H4). I don't have fogs installed on this bike. I've checked electrical connections, voltage etc...but they keep blowing after about 6 months. It's not always the same circuit either. Sometime the high beam goes, sometimes the low. I'm not sure what else to check. They're all known name brands, the last two were PIAA Superwhite 60/55w. I'm suspecious that it may be caused by vibration...but I'd expect to see more complaints on the forum in any case...any suggestions?
 
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Have you checked what kind of juice is going to the headlight with the RPMs up at cruising speed?
 
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#143314
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Nah, haven't checked while running...only with key on. Looked for voltage drop, but I'll check that next. I imagine that there shouldn't be more than 14.2v at say 2500 rpm. Sound right?
 
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
did this just start happening? Or has it been an issue since you bought it? Narrow it down......
 
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#143319
Charlie Horse (User)
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Yea I'm getting 14.11v at 2500 (and idle too)
 
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#143320
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Has happened since 6 months after I bought it...
 
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
I know this sounds silly ,but have you been touching the glass part of the bulb with your bare fingers. Oil from your skin will reduce bulb life. Just a thought.

Alittle di-electric grease helps also.
 
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Last Edit: 2008/12/02 21:50 By Greysnake.
 


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#143428
Big Bear (Moderator)
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Mine used a bulb every 3 thousand miles........for the whole 17,000+ mile I had it. Electrical was totally stock. I tried "expensive" bulbs , Motorcycle bulbs , but in the end , they all died , so I stuck with the cheap H4.....never figured out the cause , just lived with the minor inconvenience of having to change it. BB
 
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#143505
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Greysnake wrote:
I know this sounds silly ,but have you been touching the glass part of the bulb with your bare fingers. Oil from your skin will reduce bulb life. Just a thought.

Alittle di-electric grease helps also.


Yea, I know not to touch the glass as I've been using H4 bulbs for 25 years, but I could put di-electric grease on the plug...good suggestion. I believe BB may be right...they just can't stand the mileage. I have 23,000 miles on the bike and the bulbs have lasted an average of 5,700 miles. The only hassle for me is that I have to move the fairing out of the way in order to remove the headlamp assembly ring. Fortunately, I carry spare bulbs and a few basic tools Thanks for the suggestions
 
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#143508
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Re:Burned out headlight bulbs??? 3 Years, 5 Months ago  
Charge voltage may be a tad high, over time, it could cause premature failure I guess.. only way I would know to tell, would be to change the rectifier, and if that's not it, you just blew a bunch of chrome money...
 
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