Interstate headlights

[fantsybikr]

Hoped top add a plug and play headlight modulator before leaving for inzane sunday..its suppose to be delivered tomorrow. I'm new to interstate and dont have proper service manual. Help..how do the headlights come out? can this be done from the front? fairing need to come off? if its more than a couple hour easy thing, I will wait.

[ShiftHappens]

Try the Shoptalk article on changing IS headlight bulbs:

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


Get the Valkyrie service manual from Dag's site:

http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[fantsybikr]

Try the Shoptalk article on changing IS headlight bulbs:

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


Get the Valkyrie service manual from Dag's site:

http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

thanks, guess I was a bit lazy not looking in shoptalk..

[Ricky-D]

You'll have to remove the speaker panels, but access is easy enough when you do this.

No need to mess with the fairing!

***

[gordonv]

Good job, welcome to the Club for the modulator. I see too many bikes without them, but over the last few years more and more have them now, but the #'s are still very small, maybe 1 in 200 bikes I see?

Did you get a dual head light modulator? You can't have only one bulb flashing.

You should be able to access the rear of the bulbs from behind the speaker panels, but read about how to remove them and repair, because you are going to need to know about it. Most likely you'll have 1 or 2 of those grommets twist loose from the fairing.

[fantsybikr]

Good job, welcome to the Club for the modulator. I see too many bikes without them, but over the last few years more and more have them now, but the #'s are still very small, maybe 1 in 200 bikes I see?

Did you get a dual head light modulator? You can't have only one bulb flashing.

You should be able to access the rear of the bulbs from behind the speaker panels, but read about how to remove them and repair, because you are going to need to know about it. Most likely you'll have 1 or 2 of those grommets twist loose from the fairing.

Yes, I bought a dual highlight heavy duty kriss modulator.. I have a kriss double eagle on my standard and have had it for 4 or 5 years now..I love it and I have seen people stop for pulling out in front of me because it caught their not paying attention in the first place eye..I did not get it installed on our interstate, (just bought it last summer and still getting it the way I want it), for the inzane trip..I waited too long and it didnt get delivered until today...i hadnt  ordered it because of the cost..I wanted a kriss and it is pricey. fingers crossed I wont need it on this trip.
I only see a modulator bike once in awhile..and I even see some bikes with no headlights..crazy
thanks for info

[Jess from VA]

You do not have to pull speaker panels to replace interstate headlight bulbs.  But having childlike hands will help.  And remember, no greasy fingers on the bulbs.  Suggest you get 80/100 off-road H4s, clip off one tab, and double your forward light.  If aimed correctly, you will not get flashed on dim, even 80s.

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

[Ricky-D]

Although using automotive bulbs, clipping the tabs, to avoid the high prices of the Honda bulbs is a worthy practice but,

I would stress caution replacing them with the very high wattage bulbs.

Reason being because of the extra current demand put upon the wiring and switches may possibly cause problems.

Especially so with the additional heat the higher wattage bulbs produce. Remember the bulbs are "on" full time so the heat buildup can be damaging to the housing and the mounting assembly.

I replaced my burnt out bulbs with 55/65 and haven't had any problem, but again, I feel getting the real high wattage bulbs are a potential heat problem.

***

[Jess from VA]

Rick, in the interstate well-vented fairing, folks have been running the 80/100 and like off-road bulbs for years with no reported issues, with no upgraded wiring/sockets (that I have read about).  Not so in the Std/tourer bucket without wiring and socket upgrades, and maybe moving headlamp off the start circuit.  The 55/60 are adequate lighting, esp with extra lights elsewhere, but the 80/100s make for a much safer night rider.