 high and tight lightbar
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i saw a thread on here some time ago, they had a light bar with the additional light very tight against the head light, and they had a quick connect for the lights. does this ring a bell with anyone? can yo put me in touch?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Mountainman aka Keith seems to be the resident lightbar authority around here, maybe he will chime in?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Both are easy to do. Depending on how long ago Sandmann's home page has a write up on lightbars here: Matt's page As for quick connects you can go to the local radio shack/auto parts store/electronics supplier and put one together.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Is this what you're asking about, Bill? Maybe not, 'cause I didn't set them up with a quick connector but they are close to the headlight. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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or like this....  Its a Triumph light bar that been modified. Triumph bar with the ends cut off and P clamps to mount the lights buckets and SS plugs on the ends.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Or cut your own out of flat stock... 
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Adjunct
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Quote:
or like this....
Its a Triumph light bar that been modified. Triumph bar with the ends cut off and P clamps to mount the lights buckets and SS plugs on the ends.
I have done the same thing to mine. Where did you get the stainless plugs? I can't seem to find anything in the right size...
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58 |
True Value hardware has them here
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
True Value hardware has them here
Sweet! Thanks 
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
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Quote:
Quote:
True Value hardware has them here
Sweet! Thanks
yeah, what dog said. I got them at my local Ace Hardware. I think they were in the plumbing section or in one of those "specialty" drawers the local hardware stores always have.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 298
Adjunct
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
True Value hardware has them here
Sweet! Thanks
yeah, what dog said. I got them at my local Ace Hardware. I think they were in the plumbing section or in one of those "specialty" drawers the local hardware stores always have.
So something for a 3/4" OD pipe I guess...?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58 |
When ever I go for a part like that I take the part in question with me to make sure I get the fit I want. The True Value here had them in the specialty drawers and in the plumbing section.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,727 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,727 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
i saw a thread on here some time ago, they had a light bar with the additional light very tight against the head light, and they had a quick connect for the lights. does this ring a bell with anyone? can yo put me in touch?
That was me. I cut the ends off a OEM light bar and put on P-clamps from JC Whitney or some other similar supplier. I got the quick connects from Radio Shack, 2 males and 1 female. I put the female end on the bike harness, ending it right under the lower fork tree. The shortened light bar got the male end, and I have a stock width light bar with the other male end. I did all this so I could have one light bar like short, and one stock light bar for when I have the windshield on.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 298
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
When ever I go for a part like that I take the part in question with me to make sure I get the fit I want. The True Value here had them in the specialty drawers and in the plumbing section.
That's a good practice. I try to do the same but in my excitement to get the thing on my bike I didn't this time. 
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 39
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 39 |
Hey Keith, that looks great! What type of headlight is that?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
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Quote:
or like this....
Its a Triumph light bar that been modified. Triumph bar with the ends cut off and P clamps to mount the lights buckets and SS plugs on the ends.
whats the width measurement of the bar! 
Erwin
05 America
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Dave, I've been thinking of sectioning & rechroming the "bug bar"  to retain the OEM mounts, however the more I think this through it's gonna be more than I want to spend. P mounts are looking better to me. When you cut the OEM mounts off of the ends of the bar, & then capped the ends, how are the wires routed to the lights? Is there a photo available of that detail?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,727 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
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I can take a pic tomorrow, I just drilled new holes next to the P-clamps
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Quote:
Or cut your own out of flat stock...
FJ, what brand buckets are your spotlights? are they 4.5 inch?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
They are the lights from the Triumph lightbar kit. I believe they are 4.5".
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,279 Likes: 65
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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John, did you hand cut that bracket or have it done on a C and C machine?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: May 2011
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Quote:
Is this what you're asking about, Bill? Maybe not, 'cause I didn't set them up with a quick connector but they are close to the headlight.
Keith, which main light deflector are you using?
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
John, did you hand cut that bracket or have it done on a C and C machine?
Paper template (one side only to make it symmetrical) to cardboard to thin sheetmetal to flat steel. Cut by hand. Plasma cutter followed by grinder then lots of polishing. Then to the chromer.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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For anyone who has installed a standard OEM Triumph light bar setup, I have a trouble shooting type question:
I removed the seat and gas tank, found the correct connector, plugged everything in and tested the lights.... both lite up, toggle switch worked, so I'm thinking great! I go ahead and run the wires through the bar and headlights, mount the bar under the fork, bolt the lights on and test again... this time nothing.
What could have happened between the first test and the second? All I did was run the wires through the bar.... could I have pinched or broke one? Did something blow?
I'm not joe-mechanic so even the littlest of details will help me...
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Check your fuse first. If its blown then you shorted it. If not then...
Check both lights? Theres a wire that holds the lights in place that for some reason doesn't make a good contact till theres some vibration.
Also.... check your ground wire.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Quote:
Check your fuse first. If its blown then you shorted it. If not then...
Check both lights? Theres a wire that holds the lights in place that for some reason doesn't make a good contact till theres some vibration.
Also.... check your ground wire.
I haven't checked the fuse yet and need to look at all the wiring inside the lights again.....what wire are you talking about that holds the lights in place?
I had a hell of a time running the wire through the bar, really pulling on them to get through, I hope I didn't break one there...
thanks for the help,
repo
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Left bucket, the one with the switch...anyways inside that look for a wire that is chafing er grounding out intermittently. Seems like corporate got cheap on the insulation. or at least it appeared that way 8 or 9 years ago.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Member
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Member
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OK, regarding the above trouble shooting question here's what's happening and what I've done to this point: I have no illumination to the light bar and the driving light is also out. Main headlight is fine. I checked all the wire connections inside the lights, they all seem fine. I have checked the accessory light fuse (and all the other fuses for that matter)All still solid. I even switched out the accessory light fuse to the headlight fuse and it lite the lamp so I'm fairly certain the fuses are not the issue. I pulled everything back apart and noticed that I flatten out a few inched of the wires running under the support bar when I attempted to install it. I sliced the black wire jacket off carefully to reveal some pretty flat wires. Not sure if that is the issue. If the wires where compromised during my install and indeed shorted out, would that blow the driving lamp? I THINK I may need to replace the wires from the split (where they go to both lamps) I really don't know what else to do. Any more help..... 
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
...some pretty flat wires. Not sure if that is the issue...
It is possible that one or more of those wires are broken internally.
I may have a spare lightbar wiring harness left over from a project; replacing the wiring harness will be your last resort. OK to PM me if you need to go that route.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Quote:
Quote:
...some pretty flat wires. Not sure if that is the issue...
It is possible that one or more of those wires are broken internally.
I may have a spare lightbar wiring harness left over from a project; replacing the wiring harness will be your last resort. OK to PM me if you need to go that route.
Would a broken wire blow the drive lamp out? ...I'll keep working on this for the next couple days but it looks like, right now anyway, I might need a new harness... Thank you for the offer,I really appreciate the jester...
repo
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Regarding the trouble shooting question above:
I'm replacing the low beam lamp that I believe I shorted out will attempting to install the bar, is the cause of the light bar failure.
I'm having a hard time finding a the exact 12v/14w bulb that came out of the headlight at any of my local (NAPA, Advanced Auto, etc, etc)car parts stores. Will any 12V bulb work?
repo
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
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No.
The OEM headlight is H4 bulb
The OEM passing lamps are H3 bulbs
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Having no low beam will in no way effect the light bar. For years I ran with no low beam and simple flipped on the light bar. Then one afternoon in New Hampshire when my friends told me my tail light was out, they also fixed my lowbeam! Newt knows about out of town repairs too!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Quote:
Having no low beam will in no way effect the light bar. For years I ran with no low beam and simple flipped on the light bar. Then one afternoon in New Hampshire when my friends told me my tail light was out, they also fixed my lowbeam! Newt knows about out of town repairs too!
Ha! Awesome! This is exactly what I have discovered. I eventually found a blown fuse for the side lights which happened when I was installing the harness... I guess I should have disconnected both battery cables, not just the negative.
Anyway, I now have a newly installed lightbar , but still no low beam, but like you said, no need for the low beam,just leave the light bar on.
I still have no idea what happen with the low beam (I tested it and it still lights so a wire issue maybe??)
Right now it doesn't matter, I'm all set with this bar... love it!
thanks for the replies, they were helpful...
repo
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
The plug for the headlights located in the headlight bucket had one connection arch out and vaporize away: yes, the connection for the low beam. Rob bypassed that oem plug for me a couple of years back. So now there are two plugs where one once was. Heck just the other day I did a walk around (actually every morning) and noticed I had NO headlight. low or high. grrr. Fixed it as it might have been a fuse connection. not quite sure. Took the headlight ring off and checked those connections, but did not unplug replug them either. Kinda why the fuse is yelling at me.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Posts: 80 |
Quote:
The plug for the headlights located in the headlight bucket had one connection arch out and vaporize away: yes, the connection for the low beam. Rob bypassed that oem plug for me a couple of years back. So now there are two plugs where one once was. Heck just the other day I did a walk around (actually every morning) and noticed I had NO headlight. low or high. grrr. Fixed it as it might have been a fuse connection. not quite sure. Took the headlight ring off and checked those connections, but did not unplug replug them either. Kinda why the fuse is yelling at me.
..vaporized, wut? hahaha... this is getting interesting now...blown fuses, they're for pussies, we're talking about VAPORIZING stuff!
So, do you happen to remember how your man bypassed the OEM plug to fix this silly little lamp?
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018 |
http://www.jcwhitney.com/custom-fit-spot...d17915y2003u0j3This is the one I used. Been on for 6 or 7 years now and has held up well. It was only 20 dollars back then. You have to mod the mounting holes slightly..
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Hoping one of you guys sees this since I didn't want to start a new thread.... the light bar I installed last month has been working just fine until the other day I noticed it was out (along with the rear light, these are both on the same fuse.)
I replaced the fuse and it immediately blew when I turned on the key.
Next put another fuse in but this time make sure the light bar was off (using the toggle switch) This time the rear light came on but as soon as I turned the toggle it blew again.
What does that sound like... I'm guessing an exposed wire somewhere along the light bar connections.... however, if I have a rear light with the light bar toggled off won't that mean the wires are all solid, completing the circuit. If there was an exposed wire should the rear light not work also?
I'm piss poor at figuring these seemingly easy snafu's out... any ideas?
edit: I should add the fuses are just breaking in the middle, they don't appear to be melting, so grounding?
Last edited by repoman; 06/12/2012 7:35 PM.
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 30
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 30 |
Although the tail light and Aux lights are on the same fuse they are not in series so the wiring is likely fine in the tail light circuit. I would also say the wiring is fine from the fuse to the hot side of the light bar switch. Start tracing wires from the switch terminal to the bulbs. That to me seems the most likely point to start. Hopefully you will find that a connector just pulled out in the light bucket and is touching a metal part of the frame and you can just plug it together.
I am not sure what you mean by fuse melting vs breaking. teh plastic part of the fuse should never melt, and internal metal part should melt to open the circuit and stop the overload
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Re: high and tight lightbar
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 80
Member
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Member
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Quote:
Although the tail light and Aux lights are on the same fuse they are not in series so the wiring is likely fine in the tail light circuit. I would also say the wiring is fine from the fuse to the hot side of the light bar switch. Start tracing wires from the switch terminal to the bulbs. That to me seems the most likely point to start. Hopefully you will find that a connector just pulled out in the light bucket and is touching a metal part of the frame and you can just plug it together.
I am not sure what you mean by fuse melting vs breaking. teh plastic part of the fuse should never melt, and internal metal part should melt to open the circuit and stop the overload
I've had both light buckets apart to check for any obvious problem, I do not see any breaks, rubs, loose connectors, etc. This is why I'm thinking maybe the switch is bad, but again, I don't SEE anything that could be construed as a problem. I'm heading down there again to take another inspection.... don't know what else to do.
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