If you’ve been following my journey on Throttle Reborn, you’ll know I’m slowly modernising my 2019 Harley‑Davidson Heritage Softail while keeping its classic character intact. Today’s upgrade is a simple but worthwhile one: replacing the factory bulb tail lamp with Harley‑Davidson’s Layback LED Tail Lamp — in the smoked lens version.
This is a genuine Harley‑Davidson part, available in both red and smoked finishes, and it promises a cleaner look with brighter, more modern lighting. I don’t actually mind the look of the stock lamp, but the brightness leaves a lot to be desired. So this LED unit seemed like the perfect upgrade.
First Look at the Layback LED Tail Lamp
Out of the box, the lamp has a sleek, laid‑back profile that suits the Heritage’s lines nicely. The smoked lens blends well with the blacked‑out styling of the FLHCS, and the unit includes:
- Integrated LED lighting
- A built‑in number plate light
- Captive mounting screws
- A multi‑fit wiring plug
- Dielectric grease
- A full instruction manual
Because this lamp fits multiple Harley models, the wiring plug needs to be matched to your specific bike. Fortunately, the kit includes the correct coloured wires, and the process is straightforward.
Wiring the New LED Lamp
The wiring on the Heritage is labelled 1–4, with three coloured wires:
- Blue
- Yellow/red
- Black
The new harness uses the same colours, so it’s just a matter of matching them to the correct numbered positions. After double‑checking everything, I wrapped the connection in electrical tape and added a touch of dielectric grease for protection.
Once plugged in, the new lamp slotted into place perfectly.
The Moment of Truth: Testing the Light
With the fuse back in, the new LED tail lamp lit up immediately.
- Parkers: The number plate light is crisp and bright.
- Running light: A clean, even glow through the smoked lens.
- Brake light: Noticeably brighter than the factory bulb — exactly what I was hoping for.
From the rear, the red brake light shines clearly through the tinted lens, which keeps it compliant for Australia and most other regions.
I still need to upgrade the turn signals, but that’s a project for another day.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely — especially at the price I paid.
The box lists the retail price at $334.87 AUD, but I picked this one up for $130 AUD shipped from Fraser’s Motorcycles in Fairy Meadow. That’s a deal I couldn’t ignore.
I had briefly considered the 2025 Harley‑Davidson LED setup, which includes LED turn signals as well, but compatibility is uncertain and would require modifications. For the cost, this Layback LED Tail Lamp was the smarter choice.
It complements the blacked‑out look of the FLHCS perfectly and gives the bike a more modern, premium feel without losing its heritage charm.
Final Thoughts
This was a quick, satisfying upgrade that improves both the look and safety of the bike. If you’re riding a Heritage Softail with the older bulb setup, this is a worthwhile mod — especially if you can find it at a good price.
I’ll be doing more upgrades and tweaks to the bike soon, so if you’re enjoying following my return to riding after three decades away, feel free to subscribe on YouTube and follow along.
Stay safe, and I’ll catch you in the next one.