2014RT lo beam headlight replacement bub

[Bobhudak]

I need some suggestions. I'm really struggling to unclip the retraining spring that holds the low beam headlight bulb in place. I found a previous thread discussing tips to replace the bulb. I've taken off both speaker covers and removed the horn for more clearance. I can unclip and clip one side of the spring with no problem. The other side won't budge. I've tried checking it out with an inspection mirror and don't see anything obvious. My fingertips are beginning to ache and I'm getting frustrated so I decided to take a break. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[boxflyer]

Low Beam Replacement Technique

 

[jgoertz]

As someone who's replaced the low bulb twice now, let me suggest you release the side you've been able to release, then, with your exceptionally sensitive finger, find the slot that's holding the other side of the clip in place. With that in mind, don't push the clip too far. For some reason, the opening in the slot is sort'a in the middle, with space above/below the slot. This allows you to push the clip too far in. Also, it's possible to push the loop on the clip to the wrong side of the tab.

When I last changed the bulb (a couple of weeks ago), I sat down in front of my RT and worked from the front, with my hands I!n behind the bulb. Take your time, don't get in a hurry, and it will come. Last tip, find the H7 bulb with the longest life you can. Don't make the mistake I did and buy a bulb with an expected life of 85 hours. (Life expectancy is on the back of the card if you buy your bulbs from Advance Auto or Autozone).

Good luck!

 

[kevinsclo]

85 hours???!!! Wow!

Don't make the mistake I did and buy a bulb with an expected life of 85 hours. (Life expectancy is on the back of the card if you buy your bulbs from Advance Auto or Autozone).!

 

[jgoertz]

85 hours???!!! Wow!

Yep. I bought an H7 from an Advance Auto somewhere in Kentucky. Salesman said "This bulb is the brightest H7 we sell." and showed me the rated lumens. It was the brightest bulb (by the ratings) on the rack. I bought it w/o looking at any of the other spec's. My bad! After I replaced the bulb (sitting on the ground under the awning at the hotel that evening), I took the time to read the back of the packaging. I couldn't believe the "Avg Lif - 85hrs" rating. My fault for not reading all the specs. Turns out "85 hours" is about 5000 miles. This time I read all the specs on the back of the card. I'm hoping to get at least 15,000 out the current bulb.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[rhaines]

Yep. I bought an H7 from an Advance Auto somewhere in Kentucky. Salesman said "This bulb is the brightest H7 we sell." and showed me the rated lumens. It was the brightest bulb (by the ratings) on the rack. I bought it w/o looking at any of the other spec's. My bad! After I replaced the bulb (sitting on the ground under the awning at the hotel that evening), I took the time to read the back of the packaging. I couldn't believe the "Avg Lif - 85hrs" rating. My fault for not reading all the specs. Turns out "85 hours" is about 5000 miles. This time I read all the specs on the back of the card. I'm hoping to get at least 15,000 out the current bulb.

Of course, YMMV.

That's the problem, buying the brightest output bulb which has the shortest life span. After making the same mistake myself several years ago I went to the basic bulb which lasts about three times longer than the brightest one and since changing the low beam bulb is such a bear it's a no-brainer , go with the basic bulb.

 

[1wingnut]

when I replaced mine a couple yrs ago I made a tool for pushing spring made it out of an aluminum arrow worked light a charm. Arrow worked great but any small diameter tubing will work releasing spring.

 

[junkjohn]

Sylvania Silver Star Ultras are rated for 125 hrs. there XtraVision is rated for 850 hrs. After reading every H-7 light bulb package in Auto Zone, I found out some of the less expensive were longer lasting. I believe I was paying 10$ for the XtraVision.

 

[rtdirks]

I used small jewelry pliers to remove the "wire" and to replace. Worked very well for me. They cost about $5 at Hobby Lobby or someplace similar

 

[azgman]

Philips makes a motorcycle specific bulb designed to withstand vibration. Motovision

 

[patm]

Philips makes a motorcycle specific bulb designed to withstand vibration. Motovision

Interesting, 30% more light than ordinary and a lifespan of 550h