R1100RT-P Headlight too dim?

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:02 am

Last night we got late coming back and my wife noticed that she could hardly see the road ahead of her in the night. I noticed that her headlights were too dim. This is the first time she had been out after dark, so we probably never noticed it. The light was on, but it was very very dim. I could barely see it in my rearview mirror.
Are you supposed to use hi beam in the night? or
Is something wrong with the headlight?
How do I check it? I don't have the service or owners manual so would like some guidance on how to access it.
BTW, is there a place to download the service or owners manual?

omg1010 · Post by **omg1010** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:44 pm

Maybe the main bulb has gone to the happy hunting grounds and needs to be replaced. And maybe the reflector requires some cleaning (use distilled water and absorbent cotton and (very) gently wipe the reflector clean. Don't use tab water and any kind of cloth or kitchen paper!

Get yourself the maintenance manual here http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp

Kind regards from Germany
Oliver

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:17 pm

omg1010 wrote:Maybe the main bulb has gone to the happy hunting grounds and needs to be replaced. And maybe the reflector requires some cleaning (use distilled water and absorbent cotton and (very) gently wipe the reflector clean. Don't use tab water and any kind of cloth or kitchen paper!

Get yourself the maintenance manual here http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp

Kind regards from Germany
Oliver

Oliver:
Thanks for the link, i'll get the manual.
If the main bulb is damaged, will it still work partially? The headlight was on, just barely visible.
Is it a multifilament bulb may be?

miker1100r · Post by **miker1100r** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:52 am

Not sure if the RT-P has separate lamps for each beam or not. In addition to cleaning your lens and reflector, you should check the headlight connections for corrosion, crud or possible burning from arcing.
Also, check this out: http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... _kits.html
I installed a 100W high beam as opposed to the regular 60W and installed a relay kit from the above link. My high beam is nice and bright!

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:54 am

miker1100r wrote:Not sure if the RT-P has separate lamps for each beam or not. In addition to cleaning your lens and reflector, you should check the headlight connections for corrosion, crud or possible burning from arcing.
Also, check this out: http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... _kits.html
I installed a 100W high beam as opposed to the regular 60W and installed a relay kit from the above link. My high beam is nice and bright!

Mike: thanks for your help.
i see only one bulb inside, and i checked the specs. its probably the same H4 55/60W. Once i get it out i can read the markings on it. i have to get the right side fairings off to reach the bulb though, so it is going to wait for the weekend.
I'll check the connections when i get in there.

marykayejn · Post by **marykayejn** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:17 pm

vinpub: The first thing I checked on my Harley when that happened was the alternator. How are the turn signals? Are they dim, too?

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:48 pm

marykayejn wrote:vinpub: The first thing I checked on my Harley when that happened was the alternator. How are the turn signals? Are they dim, too?

Mary: That's a good question. I though that it could be the battery .... I didn't think about the turn signals or tail lights. I'll check those and see. Thank you

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:35 am

Looks like the battery and alternator are ok.... The tail lights/brake lights and turn signals work as normal. So Its the headlight. I am going to put in a new lamp and see if that helps.
Another thing I noticed, the high beam comes on when I press the switch for short-period high beam (Lower). But when I press the continuous Hi-Beam switch (upper) the high beam does not come on. Looks like I may have an electrical issue there.

If anyone knows how it is wired, and what to check, please let me know.

So first I am going to change the H/L bulb, then I will get to the continuous high beam switch.

Thank you for your help.

vinpub · Post by **vinpub** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:46 pm

Thanks everyone for their help.

I am so embarrassed to even write this response.

There was nothing wrong with the headlights. The switch on the right has three settings - off, parking and regular headlight. Well, wife must have switched it for some reason to parking light when we set out so it looked very dim in the night !!
I didn't see the right hand switch because there is also switch on the left hand side which worked the flash. (And most bikes have their light switch on the left anyway)

I checked the light that was coming on, the parking light, which is accessible from the bottom. And it looked OK, with filaments and everything. So I was really confused. Then I checked the high beam flash signal on the left and that worked OK, so the bulb was OK.
So I decided to take the bike out and start the engine to see if that would make a difference, well that's when I noticed the light switch on the right......

I am kicking myself right now but am happy that everything is working as it is supposed to .....

So, if the lights are not working, check all switch positions - left and right side.

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