Fitting headlamp bulb on xl650v- Help!

[stumpylegs]

Spent 2 hours last night trying to figure out how to get access to my headlight bulb to change a blown bulb. Found access really difficult and even when i managed to get my hands on connector i couldn't pull it off. Handbook suggests you just pull off connector, remove rubber cap then press on spring clip. The connector seems to have a rubber cover over it and despite my best efforts nothing would move.
Ended up taking bike to dealer- total cost including £4.50 bulb was £52
(1hr labour charge+vat was£47). Use bike every day for work and can't afford to pay this every time a bulb goes.
Any tips on best way to approach this?

[YEN_POWELL]

Spent 2 hours last night trying to figure out how to get access to my headlight bulb to change a blown bulb. Found access really difficult and even when i managed to get my hands on connector i couldn't pull it off. Handbook suggests you just pull off connector, remove rubber cap then press on spring clip. The connector seems to have a rubber cover over it and despite my best efforts nothing would move.
Ended up taking bike to dealer- total cost including £4.50 bulb was £52
(1hr labour charge+vat was£47). Use bike every day for work and can't afford to pay this every time a bulb goes.
Any tips on best way to approach this?

On the AT the block connector that fits on the back of the bulb will not pull off unless you squeeze it on both sides (left and right edges). If you don't press at this point, mine won't even budge. The rubber cover should just come away once the block conector is removed. After that the spring clip should be easy to unping, then it will hang there unless you dislodge the other end. After this you carefully pull the bulb out, put the new one in (without getting any fingerprints or grease on the glass part) and fight with the spring clip until it holds the bulb firmly. Put the rubber shield back on with the drainage part facing down (a sort of a v-shaped bit) and refit the block connector with a push.

Of course this is my bike, never done a 650 Transalp but it must be similar.

[wheeliebin]

It's that old fault again

http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtop...highlight=bulb

If you haven't got big hands and fat fingers, you can get access by removing black plastic 'thingy' at the top of the forks (2 x M6 bolts).

£52 to change a blub, they saw you coming.

[Recycler]

If you haven't got big hands and fat fingers, you can get access by removing black plastic 'thingy' at the top of the forks (2 x M6 bolts).

As above, but not easy the first time you do it. Taking the clock surround off as well helps you see what you're doing. The bulb connector is a press fit - no tabs to squeeze. The rubber 'boot' is just a water seal which fits around the hole - from memory I think it has a 'top' marking. The spring is like that on most cars - a hinged wire that holds the bulb in.

Best thing to do is have a practice in the comfort of a garage/daylight. Then when the next bulb goes you'll be like a S.A.S. commando stripping a gun by feel alone! I've had 3 bulbs go in about 50k so carry a spare under the seat - for protection the glass part is slotted inside a small roll of duck tape and held in with a rubber band. The alternative is sat at the side of the road for 2 hours because it's dark and you need the RAC (most breakdown firms will not get involved in a roadside repair that involves removing a fairing incase damage is caused - so you get a lift home).

[Janie]

last time i had to replace the bulb on me transalp...........i swear i was going to get rid of the bike...............took me ages to get the spring back and my hand was black and blue when i had finished.........completely spat the dummy out while tryin to get the rubber bung back on.........ended up kickin the bike and throwin things round the garage..........i won in the end but what a barstool of a job...............

[Chad]

ended up kickin the bike and throwin things round the garage

shocking behavior for a lady

one of the good things about having spots fitted is they act as a back up for blown bulbs ... a real good get out card for that situation