thanks guys, that seemed to have done it, im not sure what i had on the front for a bulb but it was bigger and had a frosted pattern, i assumed it was of higher wattage. i decided to try my spare tailight bulb in it based on your suggestions and both lights burned brightly befor burning out when the system flickered.

i will have to properly mount the tailight and try a matched pair again and hope the ground stays solid.

this is an original headlight that was on my 73 schwinn from when the bike was new and a tailight i took off of a 77 concord along with some other parts to better the schwinn. What kind of bulbs do you recommend for such a system? not looking to convert to LED want to keep it as close to period as i can.