Headlight bulb replacement

[Kong6778]

 I am now the proud owner of a 2001 IS. Love the bike some stuff needs attention but overall the bike is in great shape. I have a headlight bulb that needs to be replaced. I looked all over the fairing and I can't find a way to remove anything so I can get to the headlight to replace the bulb. My owners manual is no help and neither is the service manual. Can someone please let me know what I need to do in order to change a simple halogen bulb? Thanks for your help.

                                                                 Kong 6778

[3W-lonerider]

best way is to remove the speaker panels. that will let you into to where you can see what your doing. it can be done without removing those panels though. but most of it will be feel.
on the back of each bulb is the plug, pull it off then remove the rubber boot.
there will be a spring clip holding the bulb in you will need to push in and move it to the side and it will release the bulb.
since your in there you might as well do both. if one is blown the other one isn't far behind it.

[Bighead]

And small hands help! Which I don't have

[gordonv]

You do one side at a time. Turn the handle bars to one side, I think away from the one being changed, and small hands work best. I had my sister install mine, wife was at home.

You can use auto bulbs, cheaper than the OEM, but 2 tabs need to be broken off to allow it to fit. The special "washers" are not needed to use them.

Usual stuff. Wear gloves, don't get any finger oil on the bulbs. Wash them if you have too. Or they will burn out a lot quicker.

[Jess from VA]

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/interstateheadlight.htm

Don't get greasy finger prints on the bulb.

You can use a regular H4 auto parts 55/60 (#9003), but have to break off two tabs.  You do not need the adapter rings noted in the Shoptalk (I have them, but could never get both the bulb and the ring to line up reaching in there).   Never pulled the speaker panels, but that may be a good idea.  You can see up in there, or reach up in there to work, but not both at the same time.  Even with my small hands, I have had one in in a few minutes, or fiddled for hours trying to get one in.

I put off road 80/100 and 90/100 H4s in my interstates years ago, and have never had a heat or wiring or socket issue (fairing breathes very well).  Never re-aimed, and never get flashed on dims either.

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-HLA-H83140171-H4-100-80W/dp/B000COBLKW

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PHILIPS-9003-HB2-H4-X-1-BULB-90-100W-OFF-ROAD-HEADLIGHT-DUAL-BEAM-HEADLIGHT-FIT-/130677807582

  

[old2soon]

In my case the old arthritic hands are fun in confined spaces. Once you remove the speaker panels you will find 4 bolts holding the fairing on. Loosen all 4 bolts a little bit-DO NOT REMOVE the 4 bolts. The top bolts are in a slotted opening while the bottom bolts are a drilled thru the metal hole. Roll the fairing forward-you may need a tarp trap to hold it forward. NOW even old arthritic hands can access the pigtails for the bulb change. And someone said to change both bulbs at the same time-they are correctamundo. NOW the brass ferrules that are SUPPOSED to stay in the fairing usually don't. The ferrules have been known to come out with the bolt.  WHEN you get the ferrules and bolts separated reinstall the ferrules with a 2 part epoxy keeping the epoxy out o the threads. Then when you put the bolts back in use anti seize.  Oh-B T W-have fun!  RIDE SAFE.

[Kong6778]

Thank you all for your help. No matter how you slice

it it looks like I have my work cut out for me.


                                                   Kong 6778

[bg]

just changed both of mine yesterday, shoptalk article is a great help.
one of the bulbs was an original on my 2000 interstate.
getting the wire connector off was a bear. took my grandson with his smaller hands
and a pair of pliers for grip to get it off.
follow the article and all should go well.
good luck.

[72cutlassdude]

Changed my original IS bulbs out last night to the Silver Star Ultra"s. Big hands definitely don't make it easy but, I had them done in about 15 minutes without pulling anything apart. Clipped the 2 lower tabs off and installed without any adapter rings, they fit nice and didn't have to re-aim them at all. What a difference these make in down road light.