Tail Light Blues

[LowRyter]

My tail light bulb doesn't seat well.  I had to fiddle with it and it mostly didn't work.  I doubt I'll get a mile down the road with it.  The Brake light seems to work most of the time.  

 

I'll screw with it tomorrow but any hints would be appreciated.  

[docc]

I've fetttled a few of these tail lights to enhance connection. Using a bent-tip probe and needle nose pliers, you can reshape the two copper contacts inside the socket giving them more curve and prominence; pulling them further "out" or "aft," so-to-speak.

 

It is a bit of laparoscopic sculpture, of sorts . . .

[guzzi323]

Be gentle when 'fiddling' with it. My taillight completely failed one night when driving home. When I went to replace the bulb I found the bulb holding base that's part of the plastic casting had broken into a few pieces and the bulb was just sitting in a hole at the back of the reflector. 

Luckily the part isn't too expensive.

[LowRyter]

the 2057 is the correct bulb?

[Scud]

MartyNZ wired in some supplemental LEDs for tail light and brake light. I have his handiwork on my Scura. It makes both lights brighter, plus the LEDs work even if the single incandescent bulb fails.

[docc]

1157 is a little higher wattage for the tail light.

 

There is that flashing red LED on eBay that swooshdave put us onto. Works really great (plug&play).

The

I finally got tired of JBWelding my light assembly back together and installed a new one.

[LowRyter]

I might try an 1157 and see if it is a better fit.  

[docc]

Probably still need to pull those brass connection bands out more for better connection. Easy enough, but once they have softened (probabably from heat and vibration), a new tail light assembly may be the best medicine . . .

 

Here is the 1157-style LED unit that swooshdave posted. It is fabulous!

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/291936498074

[LowRyter]

I fitted an 1157 in it.  Seems to make better contact.  I was tempted to play with the contacts but was afraid of breaking them.  

[LowRyter]

OK,  I the 1057  1157 bulb seems to work fine.  The 2057 didn't seat.  Not sure which one is OEM spec.  

[docc]

1157 is OEM.

 

The contacts get really bendy and shoved in. When the contact has been sketchy, the heat goes up and the metal goes soft.

 

I finally had to replace mine.

[pasotibbs]

First gen Ducati Monster light fits and looks virtually the same  but is much better made.

[LowRyter]

1157 is OEM.

 

The contacts get really bendy and shoved in. When the contact has been sketchy, the heat goes up and the metal goes soft.

 

I finally had to replace mine.

 

I think the wrong bulb might've been key here.  Thanks for the info Docc.  I couldn't find the reference.

[docc]

I reshaped my contacts several times over the years. The last time I got really aggressive with standing them further out and they held up until I replaced the unit.

[LowRyter]

The tail lights fine. (knock wood)

 

But now I lost that damn odo stem on Veglia.