3rd Gen Headlight bulbs?

I just acquired a very nice 1992 VFR750. Upon first inspection after getting it home I noticed that it only has one headlight bulb installed. I am trying to figure out what bulbs to use? It looks like a regular H4 bulb like in a car. The socket also looks like in a car with the little spring-wire retainer thingy and has a fully removable rubber weather boot. I am wondering if this is a stock set up or maybe an after market one?

 

stock, and '91-'93 is gen 3

WELCOME !

 

Oh, Gen three, thank you!

 

Okay, so stock headlight assembly. Does that mean that it is a motorcycle specific bulb?

 

i don't think it is.

 

Any H4 bulb will work?

 

sure. just remove the bad bulb to see.

 

yeah, I've got the one good one and it looks like a regular H4 to me.

 

honda used a unique h4 base on the 3rd gen. to make a std h4 fit you need to modify the headlight housing or someone makes a replacement ring to convert to a regular h4. i bought a set a while ago but dont remember where i got them. you cut off the old ears and the rings relocate them or buy the $20 honda bulb

 

Okay, thank you!
That makes sense now!!
You always have to use the Honda stuff!!!

 

Now, does anybody have any advice on how to get them in and out?
It is such a tight space and my hands are not very small or nimble.
would it be any easier to take stuff apart??

 

its tight but can be done. turn the bars to give u a little more room. the headlight it attached to the upper fairing half. if you plan on removing most of the front fairings anyway its easy. i have had mine on/off many times. be carefull 30 year old plastic gets brittle.

 

Hey, a good long handled, bent needle nose pliers makes a great helper for that job. Also, Make sure you wear clean vinyl/pvc/rubber/silicone gloves when handling the bulb. The rapid heat up can cause it to shatter with finger-oil on it.
I got a good set of the bent needle nose at "tractor supply" in the bargain bin for 6 bucks.

 

Thank you!
I do have an old pair of those that I will try next time!!

Praise God!!!

 

I know this is an old post, but the answer needs to be here for the future.

The H4 does not fit many (any?) Honda headlights and if you snip off the tabs that don't fit the Honda slots, the bulb gets cocked in the hole. You can easily use a nail or heavy wire as a locating device, bending the bulb tabs around it (see 1st link below) or buy inexpensive adapters and snip off the tabs (see 2nd link for one source)

http://www.vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/Jeff's H4 Modification page.htm (sorry if the graphics on this page give you a headache)

https://electricalconnection.com/index.php/product/h4-bulb-alignment-shims/ (I got mine here. NOTE: this item is a _pair_ of adapters. That is not clear on the page)

I'd take off the fairing to change the headlight bulbs. I just replaced mine, and the fairing was off anyway, but I can't imagine being able to get that clip back on with the fairing on the bike.

Thanks JZH (Vsource.org) for maintaining your super-helpful encyclopedia!