Ended up taking several bits of advice, and everything seems to be working. I disconnected the plug connector that leads to the parking light, I separated ALL the connectors in the headlight bucket, removed the bucket, and put several wraps of electrical tape over all of the wire runs that go into the bucket, and I rigged about a half inch of slack into the cables that lead to the tail-light receptacle. The Tailight is on and stays on, the fuses aren't going out, and the speedo is illuminated. Thanks again for all the advice doods!
