6th Gen Low Beam Bulb Replacement--l'il Help?

So the owners manual is no help, I've thoroughly searched the forums here to no avail...how do you remove the headlight bulbs? I can easily reach both low beams w/o removing any of the fairing. They don't seem to turn, twist, push-and-twist, pull-and-twist, there's no clips to pinch...how do these come out? I can grab them and wiggle them, that's about it. I've even exhasted all my good curses.

Thanks for the help!

There should be a little metal post that holds them in. You push the the rod forward and down to "open the door". If you look close you should see the post and the piece it clips on. The bulb will come right out aftrer opening the door.

I believe there is a how to, on here.

Whatever you do dont remove the screw.

I am pretty sure this is correct info.

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 23 2009, 01:39 PM, said:

So the owners manual is no help, I've thoroughly searched the forums here to no avail...how do you remove the headlight bulbs? I can easily reach both low beams w/o removing any of the fairing. They don't seem to turn, twist, push-and-twist, pull-and-twist, there's no clips to pinch...how do these come out? I can grab them and wiggle them, that's about it. I've even exhasted all my good curses.

Thanks for the help!
There is a metal clip that holds them in place.  One end of the clip swivels, the other end needs to be pushed forward and then up.

[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on May 23 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 23 2009, 01:39 PM, said:

So the owners manual is no help, I've thoroughly searched the forums here to no avail...how do you remove the headlight bulbs? I can easily reach both low beams w/o removing any of the fairing. They don't seem to turn, twist, push-and-twist, pull-and-twist, there's no clips to pinch...how do these come out? I can grab them and wiggle them, that's about it. I've even exhasted all my good curses.

Thanks for the help!
There is a metal clip that holds them in place.  One end of the clip swivels, the other end needs to be pushed forward and then up.



Yep, as stated. All 4 headlights have the metal rod, clip, whatever you want to call it. The service manual shows the clip, and how to change the bulbs. I went and checked just to make sure I was giving the right info.

Do as I stated with the rod and unclip it. The bulb will come straight out. Pay attention to the bulbs orientation. I believe there is a notch so it only fits one way.

Are you trying to remove the bulb, or are you trying to get the electrical plug off?  The electrical plugs were the toughest things for me to get off.  Once the plug is off you can pull the rubber boot off and see what soichiro & Ryanme17 are talking about.

Thanks for the quick replies! I do think I saw the metal clip at the 12 o'clock position as you look at the connection from behind. I'll go try that now.

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 23 2009, 03:10 PM, said:

Thanks for the quick replies! I do think I saw the metal clip at the 12 o'clock position as you look at the connection from behind. I'll go try that now.
The 12 o'clock position is the top of the clip, the part you push in on is is at the 3 o'clock position for the left bulb, and either the 3 or the 9 o'clock position on the right bulb.

I was wrong there's nothing at the 12 o'clock position. Is there a service manual pdf on this forum somewhere? a search didn't reveal one.

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 23 2009, 12:10 PM, said:

Thanks for the quick replies! I do think I saw the metal clip at the 12 o'clock position as you look at the connection from behind. I'll go try that now.
I just replaced mine last week, the metal clip is on the 3 o clock position. you kinda have to unhook it. before you can remove the rubber cover.

[image: Posted Image]

To get the electrical connector off the back of the bulb you must SQUEEZE the black connector and at the same time pull it off.

ki-speed (Mark)

Use a hammer, heh.  Seriously, once you squeeze the connector off (3 and 9 o'clock squeeze), pull the boot (just grip and rip), then push the clip down and slightly away from you, it should come right out.  The hardest part is getting the dang boot back on!

I felt like using a hammer at one point!

Thanks for the pics and the rest of the tips guys. I appreciate the help. For the last few days I've been riding with high beams on as both low beams went out within hours of each other. Methinks I'm none too popular with the cagers in front of me at this point. Of course, no one has pulled out in front of me or cut me off either!

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 24 2009, 11:18 AM, said:

I felt like using a hammer at one point!

Thanks for the pics and the rest of the tips guys. I appreciate the help. For the last few days I've been riding with high beams on as both low beams went out within hours of each other. Methinks I'm none too popular with the cagers in front of me at this point. Of course, no one has pulled out in front of me or cut me off either!
For some reason, riding with only one low-beam drastically reduces it's life!  They tend to eat through low-beams quickly as it is.

[image: View Post]pedalpoet, on May 23 2009, 11:39 AM, said:

So the owners manual is no help, I've thoroughly searched the forums here to no avail...how do you remove the headlight bulbs? I can easily reach both low beams w/o removing any of the fairing. They don't seem to turn, twist, push-and-twist, pull-and-twist, there's no clips to pinch...how do these come out? I can grab them and wiggle them, that's about it. I've even exhasted all my good curses.

Thanks for the help!
you squeese the connector on the sides, it releases real easy, dont pull hard

remove the rubber boot

open the wire gate, very simple dont force anything

Bulb pops out reinstall bu;b and close gate, coat rubber boot with armoral , pops back in place much easier

It would be easier if you had hands the size of a 5 year old.   :biggrin:

Not that it's undoable. Just a PITA.   :goofy:

[image: View Post]VFR4Lee, on May 24 2009, 07:54 PM, said:

It would be easier if you had hands the size of a 5 year old.   :rolleyes:

Not that it's undoable. Just a PITA.   :biggrin:
That's exactly what I thought when I did it.  It's a job for small hands....

[image: View Post]Bent, on Jun 5 2009, 07:25 PM, said:

[image: View Post]VFR4Lee, on May 24 2009, 07:54 PM, said:

It would be easier if you had hands the size of a 5 year old.   :rolleyes:

Not that it's undoable. Just a PITA.   :biggrin:
That's exactly what I thought when I did it.  It's a job for small hands....


I rode out my daughter's place in Denver and blew my low beams, I changed them in their garage. My son-in-law came home and said "what happened?" my plastic tool box/foot stool has a leg broken off of it?"  I said :Oops! That happened when I kicked it across the garage releasing a bit of frustration trying to reach my hands into the god**** front of the bike to change the F*** bulbs.   :mad:   He said "cool"   :blink: