How to: Change headlight bulbs

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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.

Nah brute force and ignorance in equal measures