Dipped Headlight Bulb Clip

[solarider]

Just had my second front headlight bulb blow in less than 2,000 miles. Annoying, but there doesn't seem to be a root cause, so I have put it down to 'one of those things'.

I have large hands which don't mix well with the fiddly process of unscrewing the cover, undoing the clip and changing the bulb.

In fumbling around, the clip that holds the bulb in place shot off somewhere and I can't find it. I also think it broke the flimsy bit of the shiny mirror plastic surround that holds it in place. ARSE!

The new bulb is in, and the cover screwed back on, but it is now a bit lose. Other than buying a new headlight, any ideas of how to fix it in place?

 

[Mr K]

Is sir under warranty?

 

[solarider]

Sir is, but does the warranty cover sir being a clumsy oaf?

I must admit that the whole process of changing a bulb is a bit fiddly, and the poxy clip doesn't seem up to the job, but what do you think my chances are?

 

[beatmeier]

there is another thread for this ,, just do a search in the 1200 section...the guy made a effort and has pics..

""Fix for headlight holder clip""


good luck

 

[solarider]

I don't even have the clip, and the plastic is snapped. Wish it was as easy as that thread! Thanks for the link though. It might have worked. Think I'll try my luck with BMW. Bloody silly design for an important part on a rufty tufty bike.

 

[darkhorse]

It's a pain in the arse. What should be a five minute job can turn into an hour once that clip keeps springing off. I ended up putting a blob of silicone on where the spring fits into the lug just to keep in place when open to change bulb

 

[Glyno]

I don't even have the clip, and the plastic is snapped. Wish it was as easy as that thread! Thanks for the link though. It might have worked. Think I'll try my luck with BMW. Bloody silly design for an important part on a rufty tufty bike.

I think the clip is more or less the same as any so a replacement should be easy. The fix mentioned above is permanent and you wont have any further probs. Someone will be along soon with the link to the thread. Next time one blows take the lamp off, its only 2 bolts.

 

[solarider]

Next time one blows take the lamp off, its only 2 bolts.

That sounds like a good plan! Didn't realise it was that easy.

No need for a link, I found it thanks.

 

[darkhorse]

Here for others
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261110&highlight=headlight+holder+clip

 

[bmwrich58]

EZ-Peasy to change bulb.
For the life of me,why does everyone unscrew the clip??? There's no reason too.
Just squeeze the clip "opposite of the screw side" push in a touch,then out and the clip/holder is out of the way allowing the bulb to be replaced.
And the clip stays put,secured by the screw.
Do just the opposite to install.
That's it!
Takes more time to release/unscrew the "black plastic cup" that encompasses the bulb area than to change the bulb.

 

[Paul C]

If you break that flimsy plastic clip that the spring fits under... There's a screw next to it, put a standard 6mm washer under it, the clip fits under it just fine.

 

[tw99]

EZ-Peasy to change bulb.
For the life of me,why does everyone unscrew the clip??? There's no reason too.
Just squeeze the clip "opposite of the screw side" push in a touch,then out and the clip/holder is out of the way allowing the bulb to be replaced.
And the clip stays put,secured by the screw.
Do just the opposite to install.
That's it!
Takes more time to release/unscrew the "black plastic cup" that encompasses the bulb area than to change the bulb.

I agree in principle, but in my case, the fucking clip didn't "stay put, secured by the screw", it pinged off inside the headlight unit. So my "Oh, I'll just change this bulb in 2 minutes in Halfords car park" has turned into a slightly longer session in the garage this evening. I've got skinny fingers & was being careful, too...

 

[Berkshire_Mike]

I have to say it's an absolute s** to change these bulbs ........

I have very big hands, goes with the rest of me, one of my headlight bulbs went, was late for the Toy run, popped up to Halfrauds to get another, thought that I would soon be off - but an hour later I was still trying to fit the thing, ..

The black plastic cover was impossibly tight, then the little metal clip dislodged itself with some force, fortunately I found it in a near by flower bed - couldn't work out how it went back on, - had to take the other light cover off - equally as tight - to look at it, back of my hands shredded and sore, finally arrived hour and half late and the run had started without me, -

Then some ar** on a scooter clipped my pannier on the way out in the car park, bike on sidestand stood vertically and dropped back, truly thought the bike was going to go down, luckily it didn't by a whisker - sometimes a "sorry mate" just doesn't do it.

Some things are not meant to be - went back home - locked bike up, found beer instead.

Gave up and

 

[tw99]

I agree in principle, but in my case, the fucking clip didn't "stay put, secured by the screw", it pinged off inside the headlight unit. So my "Oh, I'll just change this bulb in 2 minutes in Halfords car park" has turned into a slightly longer session in the garage this evening. I've got skinny fingers & was being careful, too...

Well, it's all fixed now. Small washer under the clip-holding screw, and per advice in other threads, unbolting the whole headlamp unit makes access a lot easier (didn't actually get it all the way out as I couldn't get the sidelight connector off and didn't want to break anything).

 

[Spike]

Next time one blows take the lamp off, its only 2 bolts.

This is exactly what I do as my hands will just not twitst in the direction I want them to to change the bulb

spike

 

[beatmeier]

Next time one blows take the lamp off, its only 2 bolts.

??? next time you take the lamp off ,,,,can you please make a video and post it ....i have tried it and i had a struggle and still couldn't fix the thing because i pushed the full assembly out of its joints ...... what i thought would be a five minute job ended up with hours of my time wasted and a trip to the dealer to get me out of trouble ...

 

[Neil A]

Changing the bulb seemed easy....

My 2004 GS blew a headlight bulb recently. Fitted a regular spare I had in the garage, but the blown one was a Phillips uprated one which gave better light, so I got one of them and put that in two days later. The spare is now the spare again. I didn't have any problem either time - in fact, compared to other bikes I've had, I thought it was dead easy

Maybe I was just lucky that I didn't break the plastic bit, but I had read the thread and I was trying to be careful

Getting the gearlever pivot shaft and linkage out to grease it, now that's a different story......

 

[Richie B]

Sir is, but does the warranty cover sir being a clumsy oaf?

I must admit that the whole process of changing a bulb is a bit fiddly, and the poxy clip doesn't seem up to the job, but what do you think my chances are?

I did the exact same thing and it was repaired under warranty .