Changing bottom brake/tail light help

I noticed that both of my tail lights were out, brakelights were fine.

I was easily able to change the top light easily (there are two lights that function as tail/brake lights) and that took care of the one.

But I don't see how to get in to change the bottom bulb, I've done some googling but haven't found anything helpful.

The Honda shop manual seems to imply that I can get the bottom one off the same way but theres framing in the way and I don't think I can get it out. It looks REALLY tight in there, I dont think I could even touch the socket. I didn't try very hard, I'll probably devote some time to it this weekend.

Does anyone have experience changing the lower brake/tail bulb?

Do I have to remove the cowl, or maybe the taillight assembly? I do see a reference or two to a 'cowlectomy' (not as scary as it sounds, it seems to be loosen everything so that you can get in there).

Any hints or references will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Easier and faster to remove the cowl -four bolts- to gain access to the bulbs at the end. Once you take the bolts out -two under the seat and two on the sides- just slide the cowl out, change bolts and install back.

 

Thanks, I'll try that.

I assume it'll be obvious which bolts but I'm sitting at work not really feeling the work thing so here's a diagram of what I'm thinking I'll have to do, maybe it will help someone in the future.

I marked the ones in green that I'm pretty sure will need to come off, yellow for maybes (and hopefully not).

In my case (grab handles on) handles will need to be removed. I've got a KanadianKen rack which bolts to the grab rails, so one more layer...

 

I never removed the cowl on my 6th gen, but it was definitely a bit of a pain getting your fingers in there to get the bulb out. It can be done, but it helps if you have small, limber fingers :wink:

 

It's very easy--- just make sure when reinstalling you line up the two plastic tabs that slide into rubber grommets


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Simple and successful. Thanks everyone.

After removing my rack (which sits over the passenger seat - thanks Kanadian Ken attaching the rack to the grab rail bolts was effin genius) I was ALMOST able to get my bottom led replacement in place, I could have gotten a replacement stock bulb in without too much difficulty. (top bulb was super easy - plenty of space).

But since the LED is a little longer and much squarer (squarer and rounder at the same time...) I couldn't really get it to fit without loosening the lower cowl (this gives you an extra few inches) and yes, it really only took like 1-2 minutes (4 screws, see parts chart in earlier post if interested), and as duccmann suggested, be sure that you get the tabs to line up with the grommets (I assume he means the screw holes and the rubber grommets into which the screws screw, otherwise you are just tightening into air...)

I also left my rack and givi off so I don't feel like I'm flying an effin awacs for awhile. Even put the seat cowl on for the solo look - had a couple of people ask me if I got a new bike.

Oh, and the LEDS are pretty cool. I'd only quantify them as about 20-25% brighter but they really do seem to come on faster. I've only seen them up close, if that 20-25% also means people will see me 20-25% earlier, that's pretty cool, thats pretty cool.

I just hope that the lessened load doesn't fry something. I might have to add some kind of a flashing led thing on back or some lighted mirrors or driving lights in the interest of preventive maintenance and increased safety...

 

When I changed over to LED tail lights I don't remember having any problems at all. Matter of fact, I don't even remember how I did this. I really gotta find an Assisted Living complex nearby.

Good luck.

 

When installing leds you need to make sure they are the canbus enabled. With the little pc board attached to the light. If it's those cheapies they won't work and they won't last long.

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Mine have been on for about 5 or 6 years and tens of thousands of miles and no problem. Maybe I got high end bulbs but I was not searching those out. All I was concerned with was that there was multidirectional lighting. But they weren't cheap. I think I paid 13 or 17 bucks each for those little buggers where an incandescent bulb would likely run about 2 bucks max.

 

Had the same problem. After struggling with it:chaingun: decided to use a tool for leverage :
"Wire Strip Plier" solved the problem quickly and easily. ( No i don't mean to cut off the bulbs and electricity altogether:smug

used it to rotate the plastic holding the bulb.(there are 2 wings on that plastic- position one on the inside the L-shape end of the plier and the other outside L-shape end of the plier and gently rotate the plastic)

 

That is kinda sounding a little familiar. I may have used channel locks to turn the socket. I am now remembering hw stiff that bottom one was.

 

I used a my hands and a rag, a little jiggling, and it came off, no tools needed (don't quote that out of context...)