Headlight wha?!?!

[Guest]

I just installed a new bulb in my 80 450e, and let me tell you.... what a PAIN. The only local place that could order a light for it was O'Reilly, took them a day and a half to get it. I called the Yammie, Suzie shop up the road and all they told me was the light had been discontinued and there was no way for them to get one. 8O Fat lot of help that was.....

So anyways, I get the bulb and the flange to hold it in is HUGE. I went to Wally-World got metal shears and cut it down. Then after much moaning graoang, cursing, shoving and pushing I got the darn thing in. Turns out I put the thing in upsidedown.......(I, btw, had laughed when I noticed the previous owner had done the same thing).

So what I was wondering, anybody know of an easier way to change these, or where I can order a bulb that really fits next time? Or maybe a model of bike whose headlight unit I could transplant to use a more modern bulb?

[Anonymous]

I can help with a few of that I think,
FIRST is it a standard 7 inch motorcycle sealed beam lamp??
or is it a halogen where you replace the bulb, not the glass.
many cycle mfgs use the same lamps so there should not be any problem getting one, or the dealer screwing you. it happens too frequently, especially if they think you dont know what your doing.
I have a good sealed beam 7" replacement
I have a good H4 Halogen replacement (if yougot sealed you can switch)
now you can use the ultra white H4 krypton bulbs and WOW whatta difference on my 83..

Stimpy

[bgmart450]

Its a 2 piece. Its the bulb that I had trouble with. Appearantly the previous owner had done the same thing (with a bit more luck and finesse than I).

I am just looking for ways to make next time a bit easier. You think if I take the bulb and glass to some cycle shops they might have something closer than the car lamp I bought this time?

[AOD]

Brent, i know your pain.

The previous owner of my bike duct taped in a headlight. It was a 7" light that did not fit into the original headlight ring/retainer. I was given the original light, and ring when i bought the bike.

I took it to a parts store and asked them how to measure it...since me playing with a ruler on it was pointless...he looked at it and said it was a 7". So when that light came, it didn't fit as well.

After this i started looking around more. I found that the 7" was 'just' a bit too big, but the next standard light size was 5 and 3/4...way too small!

Glen Farnster (AIM: Farnster) suggested i look at Honda lights (they are Jap afterall...) because he had a similiar problem on his wifes old CB400 (thankfully she drives a GS500 now ).

Anyway, in short the parts store i was using was a Honda/Yamaha place, and i asked them too look for a Honda light simliar to this. Sure enough he came back with a sealed beam light that fit right the original ring. It required a press fit, but there's no way any other light would fit.

the new light is great, and i love driving at night now 8) - g'luck man.

~AOD

[Anonymous]

I'd just NEVER go back to a sealed beam again, whatta difference,
BG, read the bulb itself and does it say H4 on it??

[earlfor]

If you have a 7" round headlight, J C Whitney sells a replacement headlamp assembly that includes everything you need to switch from a sealed beam type to a plug in H-4 halogen bulb. I changed out the headlight on my 750 with this kit and it is simple to install.
Even the H-4 bulb is included. Once installed, changing bulbs is very easy and you can carry a spare bulb since it is no bigger than a spark plug box. The cost was $16.95 J C Whitney's catalog page for headlights is at

http://www.jcwhitney.com/catsubpic.jhtml?CATID=72456&BQ=mot

Earl

[bgmart450]

I looked at those. Right after I completed the purchase of this bike I ordered a JC Whitney MC catalog and a Haynes manual. They say those conversion dealies are for 83 and above, so I was unsure if I could use it on my 80. I think next time I might just try it anyways. Might save some frustration.

Thanks!

[earlfor]

I have a restored 79 and an 81 parts GS750, so i can tell you for sure the Whitney fits those two also. (7" round headlight) I would be willing to cover bets that it will work on a 80 model. :-) :-)

Earl

I looked at those. Right after I completed the purchase of this bike I ordered a JC Whitney MC catalog and a Haynes manual. They say those conversion dealies are for 83 and above, so I was unsure if I could use it on my 80. I think next time I might just try it anyways. Might save some frustration.

Thanks!