Since I got the bike running in Dec. I've blown 3 tail light bulbs, the first was the original Stanley bulb iirc, and then the other 2 were sylvania brand from Autozone. The latest one blew the day I replaced it after going for an hour long ride. I checked the voltage at the light with a multimeter, revved the engine up and it was reading between 12-13v, seems like regulator is functioning normally. The rubber mounts seem to be in good enough shape, and also if vibration was busting the filaments wouldn't it also be busting the brake light filament too? The brake light is not blowing, just the running light. Any other ideas on what to check?
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CL175 blowing tail light bulbs
- Thread starter tmross
- Start date
The charging systems on these bikes are barely above break-even, so on a short rev sitting still you might not see peak voltage. Did you check this ground connection at #5? Also, if the original rectifier and separate regulator (if it has one) are still in use, the rectifier can age poorly and allow ac current into the system's dc current. The best replacement for that pair is this rec/reg combo unit from Sparck Moto, best value you'll find for a top shelf component
12V Single Phase Regulator/Rectifier - Sparck Moto
Sparck Moto - Modern Gear for your Vintage Ride
www.sparckmoto.com
George S.
Member
You did check the condition of the wires from the bulb back right?
A previous owner could have tapped into the tail light wire to add something.
Quite a few aftermarket electrical accessories instructions state to tap into the
taillight wire for an easy power supply.
A previous owner could have tapped into the tail light wire to add something.
Quite a few aftermarket electrical accessories instructions state to tap into the
taillight wire for an easy power supply.
Yes, this was a total frame-up rebuild (excepting engine rebuild) and I cleaned/inspected the whole harness when I had it apart, everythings intact.
You're probably onto something ancient dad with replacing the reg/rec, it still has the original separate units. Maybe when one more bulb blows it will motivate me to undertake this.
You're probably onto something ancient dad with replacing the reg/rec, it still has the original separate units. Maybe when one more bulb blows it will motivate me to undertake this.
Richard Pitman
Veteran Member
Back in the day, my UK specification CB175 used to eat tail light bulbs. At the time, I put this down to vibration. At that time, I did not know that UK bikes, for some unknowable reason, did not have a voltage regulator, just a rectifier. In retrospect, I wonder if that was the cause of my blown bulbs.
Does your CL175 have a voltage regulator, separate small silver box with three wires.?
Does your CL175 have a voltage regulator, separate small silver box with three wires.?
Yes it has a regulator.
I'm no stranger to this bulb blowing problem, Honda also decided to forgo regulators in the MB5, but the perennial issues with those bikes is blowing headlights, putting an AC regulator in between the stator and headlight solves it.
I'm no stranger to this bulb blowing problem, Honda also decided to forgo regulators in the MB5, but the perennial issues with those bikes is blowing headlights, putting an AC regulator in between the stator and headlight solves it.