Well, bought a laydown tail light for my dad's 06 Road King, and after an hour of riding, the lens is melted where the bulb is located. So, what has everyone done to keep this from happening on theirs? I was thinking of an LED bulb, but I don't know of any good ones. I've only ever seen ones in person that the brake light is barely noticeable. Anybody got a suggestion for a good LED bulb?

 

I went to a local auto parts store and bought a two pack of red LED's. It was $15, or so. On my rk custom, I have a smoked laydown version. The cheap $25 dollar one. Same thing happened to me, melted at the bulb. Actually, the bulb broke off when I tried to remove it. I figure the lens was worthless, soI got creative with it. I work in a casino, as a dice dealer, drilled a hole where the melt part was, and added a dice to it. I think it turned out pretty nice, and is unique. You could add just about anything to cover it up. They even sell just the blue dot thingy, just cut a hole and mount it. Call me cheap, but I figure since it was toast, I would try something with it.

[IMG]local://upfiles/12433/3BCD9C629C8C45E0A4930AD526E7D244.jpg[/IMG]

 

Had the same thing happen a few years ago. Actually burned out the bulb while I was riding at night. Luckily another driver told me I had no rear lights.

Either an LED bulb a low profile 3157 incandescent bulb will cure the problem. The low profiles are out there. Just need to look around.

 

If the laydown taillight was a Harley part - take it back - they will give you another or give you $ back.

 

Strange....

I've been using the 'lay down tail light' lenses on my bikes for a long time, and never had any problem, and I use the stock bulb.

And that's in high heat conditions as well here in the lower midwest.

I don't get mine from "Harley" though, not sure if that makes any difference or not.

 

Mine is not an HD part, I bought it from V-Twin. I work part time at a small shop and get dealer pricing on anything from Custom Chrome or V-Twin. So, it only cost me $11, and it looks really nice, but I don't want to put another one on there and have it do the same thing. Any one know where you can find a 3157 low-profile incandescent? I'd rather stick to a regular bulb, but if I have to I'll look into an LED.

 

just an update for anyone who has a melted tail light:


A 7443 bulb is nearly identical to a 3157, except that it's about 1/2" shorter, so I bought one, trimmed a little bit of rubber out of the socket, and it works perfectly. Just go to your local auto parts store and buy a pack for $5. Now, I just gotta order a new lens and I'll be good to go

 

What was stopping you from converting to LEDs? All the LEDs I've seen are significantly brighter than the incandescent bulbs. I even have the kuryakyn mirrors with turn sigs built in and those are bright as can be, too!! Granted, the conversion cost about $80 for the equalizer but now my brake lamp flashes three times when brakes are applied....added safety.

 

I've been running LEDs since '01 would never go back to bulbs, but don't think those cheap $15 / $20 units are anything but junk.

To learn about LEDs and other M/C lighting go to:

Motorcycle Lights - LED Lights
http://www.webbikeworld.com/lights/

IMO for the best LEDs out there go and see Radiantz first to get in the market for M/C but there not cheap.
http://www.radiantz.com/index.htm

Good luck,
Ride Bright !

cj

 

One thing about LED's:

It is the angle of the LED's you have to worry about. The side angle. Most LED's are either 30, 60 or 120 degree cones. You typically will not get enough off axis light - others may not notice your brake light coming on if they are at a 45 degree or higher angle.

Sure LED's are bright as hell if you look at them directly, but it is the side angles......this is where the optical engineering comes into play.

Look for SAE endorsements on LED's you buy for turn signals/brake lights. If no endorsement - leave them alone. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I'd be happy to test any light you have.

I work in an Optical laboratory for automotive vehicles.