Do I really need to remove the gas tank to check a fuse?
 

Hi all.
I was just reading my Clymer manual and it says that in order to replace or check fuses, I have to remove the gas tank and fairings. Is that really necessary? I honestly haven't looked at the bike itself tonight as its late. I think that while trying to add two LED lights to my license plate frame, I may have blown a fuse cause neither light is working now.
Just curious.

Are you refering the R1100S? If so, unless you have tiny hands you will need to remove the leftside tupperware to access the fuse holder. Don't know about the R1200S.

???? It is quite easy.... reach down inside the left tupperware. grab the fuse box, twist counterclockwise 1/4 turn the whole thing comes loose from the fairing frame, has enough wire on it to hold it out where you can see it. Bend the stainless steel spring latch back, then you can pop the top off to see the fuses.

Yes, R1100S BCR. No problem taking off the fairing if need be. Glad that I don't have to remove the gas tank as the manual says.
Thanks for the quick and easy tip wswartzel!

LED's are polar, try switching the wires first. Yes you have to take the tupperware off to get at the fuse box, make sure you get the bolt on the underside!

Sean, i have had a bit of grief from tail light LEDs. I was constantly losing my tail light fuse due to crummy construction. Just a word of caution. +1 on what Bill said. The fusebox is accesible w/out removing the panels.

Thanks guys. It was indeed a blown fuse. I loosened the left side fairing a bit so I could get my hand in to the fuse box. Putting it back together was harder :) I kept dropping the screw that holds the signal fairing and side fairing together. I upped the fuse from 7.5 to 10 and no more problems. This should be okay right?
Thanks again for all the help!
I installed two blue LED license plate bolts and a 6 bulb LED light stuck to the backside of the license plate that illuminates the entire backside and underside of the bike. Looks pretty cool and should really increase my visibility at night on the road and at stops.
I may add another 6 bulb LED light to the front of the bike if I can figure out where to connect it without too much hassle or risking shorting out something.

It's not really a good idea increasing the fuse size because it is there to protect the wiring.

Adding a bunch of LED lights will not cause the fuse to blow. A single LED consumes about 0.025A It would take a *LOT* of LED lights to add enough current draw on top of what is already going through the fuse to blow it. You want to add 14 LED's total, which amounts to 0.35A. This should be no problem with the 7.5A fuse.

I suspect you probably shorted something during the installation and that is why the fuse blew.

Thanks for that info. I'll put the 7.5 back in there then.