Headlight Bulb

jbfla · 02-22-2017, 06:52 PM

While waiting for the engine to warm up, and putting on my riding gear, I did a "walk-a-round" of the bike, looking for anything out of place.

I noticed the headlight was not on.

When I checked, the headlight switch was on high beam.

Switching to low beam made the headlight come on.

From 5,000 Miles at 8,000RPM:

"We had a few headlight bulbs fail. It's always the low beam that goes....when we replace these, we always use the 55/60 watt bulb."

In Detours thread on LED headlight bulbs,

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...t=16460&page=2

SpudRider posted about the higher wattage bulb damaging the reflector.

"I think we now have sufficient evidence from several independent reports; the heat from a 55/60W H4 bulb will damage the plastic reflector. "

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....8&postcount=20

...."alternative facts"?

CSC Dude, has the higher wattage bulb damaged your headlight reflector?

I was thinking about putting in the higher watt bulb (I have one on the shelf) but don't want to damage the reflector.

I also considered the LED bulb that Detours posted about, but didn't want to cut the back of the headlight housing open for ventilation and to fit the heat sink.

What's left? The stock 35/35 watt bulb, which I discovered is mainly used in scooters.

I couldn't find one at Walmart or the local auto parts store, so I ordered one on- line.

FYI, I am not concerned about the light pattern or how far the light reach is.

I don't ride after dark, because of poor night vision.

I'm only concerned that on-coming vehicles see the bike, and that it is a legal requirement, in the US, that the headlight must be on while the bike is running.

As for being seen by other vehicles, I think one of my "defensive riding" habits contributed to the loss of the high beam.

Whenever I see a car waiting to pull out from a side street, or when I think an on-coming car is slowing down to turn in front of me, I flash the high beam several times.

I also wave at them.

...silently thanking them for not killing me.

I think the heating and cooling of the high beam filament, caused by regularly flashing the high beams, contributed to the demise of the bulb.

Now to install the bulb:

(I may have missed it, but could not find the procedure on the CSC website or the Maintenance CD)

Unbolt the headlight module:

Disconnect the headlight module from the wiring harness:

Open headlight shell:

Wiggle off the bulb socket.

Then remove the rubber cover.

I pulled back the rubber connector first...trying to figure out how it was put together.

Twist the mounting ring counter clockwise and remove bulb:

When replacing the bulb, be sure not to touch the glass with your fingers.

The oil from your fingers will be left on the glass, and cause a "hot spot" that will shorten the life of the bulb.

Putting the bulb and mounting ring back together is a bit "fiddly". It only goes together one way.

Get the bulb lined up in the reflector first, then twist the mounting ring clockwise to lock the bulb in place.

jb

02-22-2017, 06:52 PM	#1
jbfla Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: FL, GA, NC Posts: 771	Headlight Bulb While waiting for the engine to warm up, and putting on my riding gear, I did a "walk-a-round" of the bike, looking for anything out of place. I noticed the headlight was not on. When I checked, the headlight switch was on high beam. Switching to low beam made the headlight come on. From 5,000 Miles at 8,000RPM: "We had a few headlight bulbs fail. It's always the low beam that goes....when we replace these, we always use the 55/60 watt bulb." In Detours thread on LED headlight bulbs, http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...t=16460&page=2 SpudRider posted about the higher wattage bulb damaging the reflector. "I think we now have sufficient evidence from several independent reports; the heat from a 55/60W H4 bulb will damage the plastic reflector. " http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....8&postcount=20 ...."alternative facts"? CSC Dude, has the higher wattage bulb damaged your headlight reflector? I was thinking about putting in the higher watt bulb (I have one on the shelf) but don't want to damage the reflector. I also considered the LED bulb that Detours posted about, but didn't want to cut the back of the headlight housing open for ventilation and to fit the heat sink. What's left? The stock 35/35 watt bulb, which I discovered is mainly used in scooters. I couldn't find one at Walmart or the local auto parts store, so I ordered one on- line. FYI, I am not concerned about the light pattern or how far the light reach is. I don't ride after dark, because of poor night vision. I'm only concerned that on-coming vehicles see the bike, and that it is a legal requirement, in the US, that the headlight must be on while the bike is running. As for being seen by other vehicles, I think one of my "defensive riding" habits contributed to the loss of the high beam. Whenever I see a car waiting to pull out from a side street, or when I think an on-coming car is slowing down to turn in front of me, I flash the high beam several times. I also wave at them. ...silently thanking them for not killing me. I think the heating and cooling of the high beam filament, caused by regularly flashing the high beams, contributed to the demise of the bulb. Now to install the bulb: (I may have missed it, but could not find the procedure on the CSC website or the Maintenance CD) Unbolt the headlight module: Disconnect the headlight module from the wiring harness: Open headlight shell: Wiggle off the bulb socket. Then remove the rubber cover. I pulled back the rubber connector first...trying to figure out how it was put together. Twist the mounting ring counter clockwise and remove bulb: When replacing the bulb, be sure not to touch the glass with your fingers. The oil from your fingers will be left on the glass, and cause a "hot spot" that will shorten the life of the bulb. Putting the bulb and mounting ring back together is a bit "fiddly". It only goes together one way. Get the bulb lined up in the reflector first, then twist the mounting ring clockwise to lock the bulb in place. jb __________________ 2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........
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