Thanks to all of you who supplied info on changing a headlamp bulb and modifying H4 / 9003 bulb to replace the $$$ Honda bulb. As mentioned in the info, the standard automotive H4 is not only cheaper but much more powerful at 60/55 watts than the Honda at 45/45.
I couldn't find any posted pictures of the lamp base and the Honda manual isn't much help either. Since I had the fairings off for service, I took some pictures so that anybody who changes out a bulb without plastic removal can see the devil he's dealing with.
The first photo shows the bulb socket tabs that must be squeezed for release. The socket is covered with the rubber boot and, as per the info, pushing my fingers firmly forward toward the front of the bike while squeezing through the boot made removal easy. When I just squeezed the square base that I could feel under the boot, they would not release, I had to push forward.
The second photo shows the bail that holds the bulb in the left lamp and how it's released (the right one is the same). As per the previously posted info, you can also easily see the ST1300 headlamp provides a wall around the bulb base which centers the bulb and, with the single remaining tab at the top of the bulb preventing rotation, shims become unnecessary.
The final picture shows removal the two lower tabs and confirms, as someone mentioned, that just bending them with pliers breaks them cleanly off.
I couldn't find any posted pictures of the lamp base and the Honda manual isn't much help either. Since I had the fairings off for service, I took some pictures so that anybody who changes out a bulb without plastic removal can see the devil he's dealing with.
The first photo shows the bulb socket tabs that must be squeezed for release. The socket is covered with the rubber boot and, as per the info, pushing my fingers firmly forward toward the front of the bike while squeezing through the boot made removal easy. When I just squeezed the square base that I could feel under the boot, they would not release, I had to push forward.
The second photo shows the bail that holds the bulb in the left lamp and how it's released (the right one is the same). As per the previously posted info, you can also easily see the ST1300 headlamp provides a wall around the bulb base which centers the bulb and, with the single remaining tab at the top of the bulb preventing rotation, shims become unnecessary.
The final picture shows removal the two lower tabs and confirms, as someone mentioned, that just bending them with pliers breaks them cleanly off.
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