| Author | Message | ||
     Tootal |
So it's getting into the 70's today so without a doubt I'm riding to work. As I launch onto the interstate my headlight goes out. I instantly flip the brights on and pow, an extremely white flash occurs right in front of me and then darkness. Well it's 6:40 am so there is some sunlight starting to light my way but now I'm illegal and I don't know if I have a tail light or not. I have to ride several miles before I can turn around and go back. By the time I get home it's 7:00 and there is no way I can make it to work in a half hour without being really illegal! Well, like I said, it's going to be 70 today so screw it, I'll call in sick. (At my place of employment they charge you a whole day absents for a late arrival!) Well I needed to get the car inspected anyway so I do that. I get home and pull the headlights out of the Buell and both are definitely toast. I ordered some new ones on-line. (Osram 65w ralley's). I start to think about all this as to why both would go out like that so I get the multi meter out and checked voltage at the headlight connector. It's good. (12.7) I checked the battery and it's the same. I started the bike and at idle it was still the same so I revved it up and at 4000 rpm it was 17V!!! Oooops. I guess my voltage regulator is not regulating very well. I guess it's off to the stealership for another one. I hate Harly/Buell regulators. I replaced 4 of them on my 91 electraglide. The last one was from Compufire and it's still going after 75,000 miles. Unfortunately they don't make one for the Buell, although I haven't checked lately. Time to open a new tab and find out. Ok, I'm back. They have one for a sportster. Are they the same? Inquiring minds want to know. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Check the grounding of the one you have on your bike before spending money. I think if it's not grounded properly, it will do weird stuff. | ||
| Tootal |
Thanks Nate I'll check that out. Of course I had to order one anyway so I have time to look around! | ||
| Tootal |
Well I actually looked at the shop manual and it says that if you have voltage above 15 the regulator is toast. I checked my ground anyway and it's tight. I'm just glad I only lost my headlights, everything else seems to still work. As long as I keep it under 3000 rpm I could still ride it but I'm not going to risk it. Rain tomorrow anyway. | ||
| Froggy |
If your VR fails it means you don't have enough electrical goodies  I like being able to make a cup of espresso in the Starbucks parking lot | ||
| Tootal |
I was running the heated handgrips on high when the headlights blew out. Maybe that explains all the melted rubber on my gloves!  |
