Headlight Bulb Replacement

[Lotsokids]

I just discovered the hardest maintenance task on the FJ - headlight bulb replacement. MAN, that sucked. The manual actually says it's easier if you remove the entire upper fairing to access the bulb. HOLY SMOKES. Mine was a little harder since my inner headlight assembly (inside the glass) got dislodged on the left side somehow. Balancing the bulb, small retainer spring, and a moving assembly - while doing all this blind - proved to be quite a challenge. But I conquered it and it works great and it's all adjusted correctly. I had to zip-tie the bulb's connector to a frame piece under the bulb to hold pressure on it so the assembly would stay. Seems to hold well. Still not sure why it came dislodged. It's like it's hinged on the right side and the inner piece rotates forward and hits the glass. Oh well.

Everything is good for now. Time to trade it on an FZ-1.

[Ender22]

Damn, On mine I'm thinking of doing something streetfighter/rat-rider with the FZR600 lights. 

I loved my FZ1, great bike and yeah so easy to get at the lights.  I hate to say this but, in my youth, i installed strobes lights in the light assembly. I can only imagine how illegal that was...

-Rob

[FJ Flyer]

I got pretty good at changing the bulb, just reach up with one hand, pull the plug, pop the boot off, unhook the spring clip and pull the bulb out.

[markmartin]

I got pretty good at changing the bulb, just reach up with one hand, pull the plug, pop the boot off, unhook the spring clip and pull the bulb out.

Yup, on mine I unbolt the horn to let it hang from the wires and out of the way, then it's like you say Chris. 

Lotsokids, It's got to be that your inner assembly is dislodged that made it difficult.  I just changed mine the other night in a few minutes. 

[SlowOldGuy]

Thread Jack!

Hey Chris, nice to see you're still there!

DavidR.

[FJ Flyer]

David,
How are things going?  Yeah, still here intermittently.  Can't check the board from work.  Not a whole lot of free time once I get home. 

Might be in Dallas at the end of the month. 

[SlowOldGuy]

Not a whole lot of free time once I get home. 

Might be in Dallas at the end of the month. 

We know who's fault the lack of time at home is.  :-)

Down in Jacksonville, FL for work last week and all next week.

Do you still have my number(s)?  Give me a heads up if you make it to Dallas.  I should be in town at the end of the month.

DavidR.

[Lotsokids]

[Flyover Country Joe]

 

[FJ Flyer]

Not a whole lot of free time once I get home. 

Might be in Dallas at the end of the month. 

We know who's fault the lack of time at home is.  :-)

Down in Jacksonville, FL for work last week and all next week.

Do you still have my number(s)?  Give me a heads up if you make it to Dallas.  I should be in town at the end of the month.

DavidR.

To continue this jacking........David, I should have your numbers.  If I go, I'll roll in on the 26th. 

[Lotsokids]

I had to replace my bulb again yesterday. MAN that job sucks on my bike!!! The spring clip came loose, so that added some drama to doing all this blind with one hand on a moving headlight assembly (read first post). I think it's more frustrating than valve adjustment. I put some 2-part putty behind my headlight bulb assembly (actually between the inner and outer). Maybe that will help next time.

I installed an H4 Silverlight. We'll see how it performs in the dark soon.

[rktmanfj]

I installed an H4 Silverlight. We'll see how it performs in the dark soon.

Sylvania Silverstar?   

If so, good luck with that.  The two I've used were pretty short lived.

They were okay for the time they lasted.

[Lotsokids]

Sylvania Silverstar?

Yes, it's a Silverstar. I stand corrected. I guess Osram is really Sylvania here in Europe. A friend installed these in his VW Jetta and said they were very impressive. But he needs to keep his old bulbs for the technical inspection. You must have stock bulbs. Aftermarket will not pass, even if they are better.

[chocker]

I just changed the bulb today. It's definately harder if you don't disconnect the horn. I tried doing it the hard way first then I disconnected the horn and it was pretty easy.

Mark