VFR 800 Headlight replacement (How To!)

I have a burned out high beam light and want to change the bulb without bringing the bike back to the dealer. I have gotten the connector off the light bulb and removed the rubber seal, but can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the clip.

Any ideas

Can this truely be "Rocket Science"

 

your right... it's not "Rocket Surgery!"

you've got the clip off, so that's the hard part!

Now that the rubber 'cup' off take the tip of your finger and push the top retainer wire toward the front of the bike and up. (this is the little clip the holds the bulb into the housing). this will unclip it and let it swing out of the way. The bulb should simply drop back and out. Don't touch the new one with your skin if possible, it can affect bulb life.

good luck, i hope that helps, and when i get home, if i can i'll post a pic if you are still stuck.

j~

 

I did it!

Had to do everything by fell but I eventually got the bulb out, using the adaptors cut the lower two tabs off with a dremel tool, and re-installed.

Works perfect.

Thanks all.


Bill

 

I recently made a picture "HowTo" once I figured it out for my 07 model.

If its any help you'll find it here:

http://www.lifford-cooke.com/images/bulb replacement.pdf

skimad4x4

 

Thanks skimad4x4

Your instruction sheet made it very simple to see what has to be done. Thanks for the help.

 

It is one of those things where once you see it and do it, it is clear, but to do it the first time is a little tough.
Especially since after a few years the parts don't often move as easily as one the designers were in a lab.

 

I'm having a bitch of a time pulling off the high/low bulb connector to change the bulb. I've pulled probably 100 times by now, and it doesn't want to come off! I'm assuming it's the same as the high beam connector (which I have no trouble pulling off).
I've looked at the "how to" as well as the manual, but no success.

Any suggestions?

 

Found the answer to my own question ....there's a side clip to squeeze before pulling the connector off. When I removed the high beam connector, I didn't have to squeeze the side clip, so naturally this threw me off.

 

Very nice, and is helpful. I will note that on my 6th Gen- on the lower lamps, at least- it's a single unit, like on my truck; there is no 'separate bulb and holder'

 

Wished I had seen that great writeup a few years back. But then I would have never learned to become a contortionalist. They do get easier with practice. I have replaced a few lights. The wet and varying changes of climate that I live in is hard on lights. But now I have HID lights so the bulbs hold up pretty good. Now I replace the ballasts more often than I did the lights. But WTH. I have lifetime warranty on them.

Hidden message here...If you go for HID, DO NOT GET NOVA HID's. They suck

 

I will have to remember that, thankis

 

You might need to have new lights now. Be safe next time

 

I'm trying to replace a headlight (not high beam) bulb on a 2006 VFR800A and am having a hell of a time trying to get the connector off of the socket. I can't feel a side clip to squeeze, and amount of force I've applied trying to just pull the connector off damn near ripped the socket right out of it's retaining clip behind the dust cover. If there is such a clip to squeeze, can someone point it out on the excellent photo from skimad4x4's how-to:



I must be missing something. Either that or the PO welded the connector onto the socket.

Any advice on disconnecting the connector?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

 

Here it is you ask and shall receive. The little clip is in the center. Press down and pull
Good luck

 

So the clip is the part pointed to by the arrows? And by "press down" do you mean toward the center (perpendicular to the axis of the bulb) as indicated by the red arrow, or straight back toward me (parallel to the axis of the bulb) as kind-of shown in the blue arrow?



Here's a photo of the connector on my bike. Judging from orientation of the connector in your photo, the tab should be on the back side of the connector as indicated by the red arrow:



Correct?

Tom

 

Yes press toward the center of the bulb.

 

Assuming US models have the same fitment then that wiring plug should pull straight off with a strong tug. There is no clip holding the connector (that relates to how the bulb is held in place).

It is a pain to get at the lower bulb if you cant see what you are doing - as you will be working mostly by feel and you might find working from below (sitting on the floor) gives you a better view/access.

So basically reach in and feel for that big rubber gasket. In the centre you should feel the hard plastic connector and wires which quite simply are a push fit onto the bulb carrier prongs (I have a feeling some US models don't use the carrier fitted to EU models and instead attach direct to the bulb). Regardless of whether there is a carrier or not that hard plastic connector should just pull straight off.

If the connector is really held fast - then try gently wiggling the connector side to side - basically to free off any corrosion - and hopefully it will come free with a very strong pull away from the headlight. Just watch your knuckles - if it suddenly comes free there are plenty of edges to catch the back of your hand - as I know very well!

Once that electrical connector is off - the really trickly bit is unlatching the curly spring to release the bulb/holder. Unfortunately this type of fixing is necessary to stop vibrations jiggling the bulb loose, so it incorporates a strong spring and a small raised shoulder on the casting so it won't vibrate loose. Getting the spring past that shoulder is a total nightmare.

The trick is you need to move that curly spring bit in three directions (inwards, across(anti clockwise) then out).
First - Press down on the curly bit (inwards towards the lens) (it will only move down a couple of mm - just enough to allow you to slide it below the shoulder)
Second - Keeping the pressure on the spring move it slightly counter clockwise
Third - Once it moves clear release the pressure and you can lift the spring clear, and remove the bulb.

The spring is strong and it will hurt your finger tip.

This guy cheated by removing the whole headlamp assembly but it clearly shows how the bulb holder clip works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RLdxYddj0s


Hope that helps


SkiMad

 

Second picture if the photo of the right bulb then yes the clip is on the inside. Give it a squeeze and pull out the connector

 

Yep, that's a picture of the right bulb. I'll feel for the spot to squeeze when I get home from work this evening now that I know where to feel.

Scubalong: It seems like if I pull hard enough on the connector, it will rip the bulb socket right out of the metal clip and rubber dust cup. I've pulled pretty hard on it and seen the bulb pull back from the housing through the lens. If just pulling on it is the answer, I'll need an elephant.

 

Are you talking about the electrical connector? I always pry it off with a long flat blade screwdriver. They will get stuck if they've not been off in a while. Use some deoxit or dielectric grease to prevent this happening in the future. Good to use on ALL the electrical connectors.