Rear light corroded through

[GSmonkey]

Started getting an intermittant fault - it was the yellow triangle with a bulb with a down arrow. Assumed it was the rear bulb, but all looked normal. I do realise that the bike uses the other filament to compensate, so thought I'd take the cover off and have a better look.

On taking the bulb out I noticed the back was full of dirt that had come up off the back wheel. No problem I thought, quick rub with some emery cloth and all the contacts will be good and it'll be job done.

Started scraping the contacts with a screwdriver through the reflector and one just came away - it had completely rusted through. So its back to the shop AGAIN for some more work.

Has anybody else had this problem??

 

[Mr K]

Me and a mate noted the rear lamp has no seal. Both the tailights were full of cack after a long weekend of what the bike was meant for.....My tailight was pretty good but me mate's had a water droplet hanging from the bulb.........Not right.

 

[ballistic]

He's right... I'm his mate.
I mentioned this at the 1st Service but it was just the same afterwards.
I decided to take the whole rear light unit to bits, give it a damn good clean and fit it back together using 'Plastic Gasket' or similar.
On closer inspection, I noticed that there were a couple of slots in the edge of the lens and a couple of holes through the clear part, which illuminates the number plate. It's obviously been designed to be 'open to atmosphere' in order to allow water to drain out... the trouble is, it 'drains in' also.
I just cleaned it all, dried it off and refitted as standard, with plenty of Vaseline around the bulb bayonet.
Maybe someone's tried sealing theirs in... pros & cons?

 

[GSmonkey]

Certainly it would seem worth it for people to take the bulb out and get some grease on the connectors at the back to stop the corrosion that I've seen.

Luckily it still works with one connector - otherwise I'd have been off the road in the dark.

 

[desertyellow]

Just had the same problem! Rear light corroded through. Is this another example of crap design?

 

[TheJoker]

Mine too - dealer ordered new at first service, fitted it 3 days later.

Remember gents; your bikes are under warranty - let the dealer sort it