H4/9003 Adaptor Shims

[Sodbuster]

I was reading thru some of the archives on the adapter shim for use with the 9003 bulb. Am I to understand then that the shim is only necessary on the Interstate and NOT the Std./Tourer models ??

[Hoser]

That is correct, sir.  Hoser

[HayHauler]

I have an interstate and I don't use the shims...  Lights are aimed fine and don't juggle around in the sockets.  I did have to enlarge the semicircle and the square notch on the base of the bulb.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[MP]

I too, did not use the adapters/shims.  Did have to break off one or two ears though.  Could see NO reason to use them.

MP

[Momz]

You do not need the shims, but you must cut off one of the tabs. The Interstate also has a headlight adjuster knob up in the fairing (hard the get to with my hands but they all have them).

[Jess from VA]

Same, same.  I have the shims and tried to use them, but could never get shims and bulbs lined up in the fairing cutouts (for hours).   

So I sh!tcanned the shims and just stuck the bulbs in with a tab cut off.

[Ricky-D]

It's been a while since I changed the light bulb in my I/S but I kinda remember having to cut a tab off the new bulb in addition to using the "shim" (adapter).

***

[Jess from VA]

You do have to cut a tab off the over-the-counter auto parts 55-60 H4.  (I'm going to 80-100s)

Honda made its OE 45-45 bulb with different tabs thinking that would make us buy their bulbs.

And the auto parts H4s with a tab cut off still twist into the IS fairing cutouts fine with no adapter.  Seems loose, but they hold, and the aim stays constant.

[PharmBoy]

I bought the shims for my I/S because I thought it was necessary, but had no problem at all in installing the new bulbs.  I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in light output of the 45/45 OEM bulbs and the Sylvania Silver Star Ultras.  Well worth the money...JTL 

[Sodbuster]

Thanks for all the reply's  -  I was reading in the archives where you could get the bulb (H4/9003) to fit in the socket but it would point up w/o shim, must have been with the IS only.

[Jess from VA]

No, neither of my ISs aim "up" with H4s and no shims. 

In fact, I've never had to adjust the headlight aiming wheel since going to auto parts H4 bulbs... with no shims

[Sodbuster]

You do have to cut a tab off the over-the-counter auto parts 55-60 H4.

Is it pretty obvious which tab has to be cut ??

[Jess from VA]

For IS, but still discusses bulbs:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/interstateheadlight.htm

You must trim off the bottom 2 tabs so that the bulb will go into the housing.
http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/h4_shim.htm

[Sodbuster]

Hey Jess -

Sorry for me being an idiot but in your last post you show in the picture to trim off the bottom 2 tabs but in an earlier post you say to cut only one tab .... just a little confusing.  (I have a '99 Std.)

You do have to cut a tab off the over-the-counter auto parts 55-60 H4.  (I'm going to 80-100s)

Honda made its OE 45-45 bulb with different tabs thinking that would make us buy their bulbs.

And the auto parts H4s with a tab cut off still twist into the IS fairing cutouts fine with no adapter.  Seems loose, but they hold, and the aim stays constant.

[Jess from VA]

Hey Jess -
Sorry for me being an idiot but in your last post you show in the picture to trim off the bottom 2 tabs but in an earlier post you say to cut only one tab .... just a little confusing.  (I have a '99 Std.)

Sodbuster... I'm the idiot.  That is, going solely by memory (which is a mistake), I recalled one tab.  But when I did the research for my last post (and others had said tabS too), I realized it is two tabs.  I haven't changed a bulb in a year or two.

Now remember I have two Interstates and I cannot make any comment on the std/tourer headlight bucket bulb cutout.  I assume it's the same as the IS, but that's a mistake too.  So buy a 9003 H4 auto parts 55-60 bulb (keeping your fingerprints off the glass at all times).  Now when you pull your old Honda 45-45 bulb out, you're going to be able to tell which tabs on the H4 are unnecessary or in the way.  (And if someone already put in an H4 in there in the past, the tabs will have already been cut... or bent back and forth till they snap off.. of it.)

[chip]

Hey Sodbuster  if you think you might need some shims here you go, If Summer can do it I'm sure you can too. 
http://s1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/1chip/Summer%20Barbie%20replaces%20a%20Valkyrie%20head%20light%20bulb/

[Jess from VA]

Hey Chip, that link is a riot!  After seeing a bunch of GI Joe how-to pic posts, the Barbie how-to is a hoot.  Never seen it before.  Your work?

Of course, this belongs on VRCC Shop Talk maintenance.  

Only problem.... who has their original OE bulbs anymore? 

[chip]

Mine and my daughters she thought G.I.Joe was funny. She offered me her Barbie , now I have help in the garage.

[Baloo]

Chip,

All I can wish you is that you also have help from the Barbies standing beside you on you avatar 

[chip]

Baloo ,Couldn't function without them. They help hold this old guy up.

[Sodbuster]

Hey Sodbuster  if you think you might need some shims here you go, If Summer can do it I'm sure you can too. 
http://s1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/1chip/Summer%20Barbie%20replaces%20a%20Valkyrie%20head%20light%20bulb/

Hey Chip -

That was a good one, thanks for the tip on the ring, I was wondering if anybody had done that. Everyone should have a Barbie for those "Tight" spots .... 

According to Hoser I won't need one but it's good to hear what others have to say.

Thanks again for the input.