How to: Change headlight bulbs

[branny]

i am slightly embarrassed to ask this, but i have just got some Osram Nightbreakers and i want to fit them to my 99 650s.

I cannot for the life of me figure out hoe the connectors come off! is there a knack to removal? i didn't want to force them so i thought i would quickly ask here first!.

I don't need the bike til Monday, so if anybody can reply this weekend it would be great!

ps i searched but couldn't find anything about the connectors.

thanks

[Dangerous Dave]

Pull the square connector off (pull it straight back), and then remove the rubber cover, unclip the the bulb and the pull out the bulb.


Rubber Cover
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/25226091/aview/SV650_K5_023.jpg

[Brettus]

I did the same thing myself, had to ask here, got pretty much the advice above, its easy enough just have to follow the above instructions, they do make sense as you realise what you are grabbing in there, the clip bit fooled me if i remember rightly but it gets there in the end, you will manage it and wonder why you thought it would be hard :) best of luck

[branny]

ok thanks, i wont need to remove any fairing then?

[Dangerous Dave]

ok thanks, i wont need to remove any fairing then?
No

[hovis]

i foud the clips a bit fidley, but its preety straight foward

[branny]

yes, job done now. just for anybody in the same situation who searches this thread, try to support the bulbs with one flattened hand and use the other hand to grip the connector and wiggle it up and down whilst pulling it away.
then it is easy.

[kenas]

Tried changing mine this weekend & pulled quite hard on the square connector. It was kinda springy & didn't seem to want to come off. How hard is it to pull them off? It just didn't feel right... this is an 01 650s.

[Dangerous Dave]

Its supposed to fit quite tight so it doesn't vibrate off, you need to pull it straight backwards too.

[simesb]

And the rubber cover on the back can grip the connector a bit. When it comes off you'll know - you have skinned knuckles if it's that stiff :-)

[branny]

Tried changing mine this weekend & pulled quite hard on the square connector. It was kinda springy & didn't seem to want to come off. How hard is it to pull them off? It just didn't feel right... this is an 01 650s.
this is the exact problem i had, it just doesnt seem right pulling them does it!?

I used 1 hand to reach in and supports the bulb around the connector and squeezed my other hand in to pull the connector off.
If you wiggle the connector whilst pulling back, it should start to slip.

It probably doesnt seem possible to get both hands in the small gap, but i managed it. :?

I will try to explain.
Standing at the left of the bike, headlights pointing to your left.
Take your left hand and flatten it with the palm pointing the same way as the lights. Make a V with 2 fingers either side (kind of like a star trek symbol) and surround the connector with this V.
Somehow reach your right hand into the area and wiggle the connector left and right until it slips.

Then, once the connectors are off (trust me, they will come off!)

Pull out the rubber seals.

You will see the clips that hold the bulbs in. I think you can imagine this mechanism like a badge pin, the lateral bar just slots behind a clip on the right hand side. You simply push this bar fwd and up and it pivots out allowing the bulb to be swapped!

Post again with any more probs :eek:

[kenas]

Awesome description Branny.. to the T.

Mine came off last night, I assume it was the original bulb from 2001 & the connector was just kinda corroded onto the terminals on the bulb.

Wiggling the connector probably would have helped a lot.

Unfortunately I chose to brute force it & have a bit less skin on the knuckles for it :) There is something to be said for having a little finesse.

[Brettus]

Nah brute force and ignorance in equal measures :D