sevens0n
Full Member
My Garage Overfloweth
Posts: 182
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Post by sevens0n on Nov 6, 2006 15:40:15 GMT -5
Just got my 650 on the road. Have done two short test rides a total of about 25 miles. Both rides ended with a burned out tail light bulb. Is this a common thing, do to vibration? Shouldn't the bulbs be lasting longer that ? The rubber mounts between taillight and rear fender are a bit worn so the whole taillight might be shaking pretty good at times. Is this the reason I see many of you looking into L.E.D. lighting? Is there a secret to help the bulbs stay together and last more than 15 minutes?
Thanks....
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Post by EvergreenXS on Nov 6, 2006 17:32:12 GMT -5
They definitely should be lasting longer. I'm still using the one that came with the bike several years ago. I thought I should mention that when I got a replacement taillight assembly from a certain popular supplier it came with a 6v bulb. No wonder it blew so quickly. I just swapped my old bulb in and have been fine ever since.
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Post by spyug on Nov 6, 2006 20:06:18 GMT -5
Something wrong there my friend.
As Evergreen says they should pretty much last the life of the bike ( or a long time anyway). Vibration could be a problem but I much doubt it ( too many of us running around with no probs). I'd be thinking wrong / cheap bulb or even some shorting in the wires ( powered wire rubbing on the frame?) to the socket. Trace your wires looking for missing / slit insulation and connectors for clean tight joints.
With the bike on the stand and lights and engine running in neutral have an assistant play with the brake lever and foot brake ( be very carefull you don't knock it off or drop it into gear). Rev it a bit.Can you get the bulb to pop? Pull the bulb and check the leads with a multimeter what voltage do you have. There might be a bit of over voltage going on. Check the voltages also at the lighting relay and safety relay if fitted. Make sure the fuse in the lighting circuit is 10 amp and in good shape.
Lots of things to check but you'll find it. Let us knw when you do.
Cheers,
Spyug.
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sevens0n
Full Member
My Garage Overfloweth
Posts: 182
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Post by sevens0n on Nov 6, 2006 22:48:34 GMT -5
Started looking into problem after work tonight. Fired up on center stand and started wiggling wires gong to headlight bucket. Now have no blinkers or brake lights either. Took the headlight apart . I must have been in too big a hurry, I found loose connection on brown power wire (wires). Went over all the connections and tightened them up while I was at it. Purchased two new 1157 bulbs, and everything looks good again. Rode about 5-6 miles. Shut down and started twice with no problems.
I'm not sure how any kind of wiring short could burn out a bulb unless charging voltage is too much. We all know that never happens. I'm guessing just dumb luck with the bulbs. First bulb looked like it may have been original 1975 issue. I can understand that giving up. Second bulb I found in one of my garage junk boxes, I'm sure that one had a long hard life as well. With a NEW bulb I assuming its fixed since it ain't broke anymore
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Post by Curly on Nov 7, 2006 10:30:02 GMT -5
The original tailinght bulb part number for the XS1 and subsequent 650s is 256-84714-61. That bulb is a heavy duty bulb with adititional support for the filaments to combat vibration. it's still available and used in a lot more Yamaha models too. I'd suggest using that bulb along with replacing the rubber tailight dampers if they are degraded.
Curly
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Post by crazypj22 on Nov 30, 2006 12:16:47 GMT -5
If the bulb is burned through excess volts it will be black inside.
If there is a crack in the glass i will be smoke/white
If its vibration , glass is clear and you should be able to see filamen either cracked or lying in the bulb
Not exactly sure how it works but corroded connectors can act as a capacitor and cause excess volts, even on XS (maybe voltage fluctuations from regulator?)
PJ
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