Replacing a headlight bulb...

Got a 1990 vfr 750 and I need to replace the left headlight bulb. Wondering if this is an easy procedure for a guy new to riding with little to no mechanical experience. Or should I pay a professional to do this for me?
Thanks!

 

First off, Welcome to the WORLD just in case I missed your introductory post. Second, even with minimal mechanical skills, changing a headlight bulb should be easy enough to master. In case you don't have one here is a link where you can download the Factory Owners manual for your bike. Also below is a link to where you can download a copy of the Factory Service Manual that will likely come in handy more than once in the future.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/files/file/22-1990-93-vfr-owners-manual/

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/files/file/2-vfr-750-service-manual/

You may be able to change the bulbs without removing the upper cowl on your bike but it is usually easier to get the bulbs in and out when the upper cowl is off the bike. While your in there, it never hurts to check and change out any instrument panel bulbs at the same time. Good luck and have fun. Taking the bike apart may seem daunting at first but guaranteed you will have to take something off at some point, so may as well learn how early.

 

http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/h4_shim.htm

Do your self a favour and get these, I rode for years and thousands of miles with mis-adjusted head lights, these little suckers cure that! Otherwise, its off to your friendly honda dealer to get their special H4 bulbs for this bike.

 

I can change my bulbs withoot so much as just turning the bars either right or left depending on which side I am changing. I don't wana hear any lame arse jokes aboot small hands either thank you very much :flip: ound: ound:

 

I just changed my bulbs the other day on my 07 vfr. It was very easy, took about 10 minutes (and I wear L/XL gloves). All I did was turn the handlebars. There is a tab you squeeze on both sides of the connector but they are deep in there. The hardest part was getting the rubber boots back on.

 

I always seemed to have the biggest trouble getting the darned spring retainer clip back in the right place. The right bulb was always easy (I too have a set of the retainer rings, and agree they are fantastic) to replace on my 97 VFR and the 2000 VFR, but the left one was always such a PIA I just removed the upper cowl to relieve the frustration.

 

that spring clip can be a bitch for sure. I have adjusted where my spring attaches, with a shorty phillips head, there is a kind of set block inside the bezel after you remove the rubber boot things, the spring latches to this. Anyway, some bikes are a breaze, others are bitches.

 

Now that I have LED headlights I don't think I will ever have to replace a bulb again, since theoretically the bulb should outlast the motorcycle (or me for that matter).