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11-04-2014, 08:40 AM | #1 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 710
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Headlamp question?
I am thinking of changing the stock halogen H4 bulb for an LED version which is much brighter. Another member here was kind enough to give me a copy of the Vaquero service manual. It says the fairing needs to be removed just to change the bulb. I removed the front cowl that covers the headlamp. Looks like 3 bolts hold the head lamp in place. My question is can I replace the bulb without having to remove the fairing?
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11-05-2014, 01:06 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: New Castle, In.
Posts: 365
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For just a bulb replacement, I've read you can get it by removing either of the storage boxes and reaching in from behind. I believe there are 4 bolts/screws holding the headlight in the fairing, not 3.
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11-05-2014, 03:15 PM | #3 |
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Location: N Las Vegas, NV
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I have a Voyager and I just take the whole headlight out. 1 screw on the bottom of the trim and 3 hold the headlight housing in. I would think the headlights are the same.
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11-05-2014, 03:38 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Elmira, NY
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What is the LED bulb that replaces the oem?
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11-05-2014, 04:59 PM | #5 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 710
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There are several H4 LED replacement bulbs. They are plug and play. The transformer can be velcroed to the inside of the fairing. I just did not want to have to remove the fairing just to change a bulb.
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11-06-2014, 11:57 AM | #6 |
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Location: Round Rock, Tx.
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I've tried an H$ LED replacement, and returned it. The light pattern had a huge hole in the middle of it. I liked the output, and color of the light, just not the throw pattern. The thing about using LED replacements is, the light coming out of an LED is very directional, and the mirrors in your headlight bucket are designed to spread light from an incandescent bulb that throws omni-directional light. what I plan to do, and recommend, is replacing the entire headlight with a sealed or semi-sealed unit designed for LED use. A bit more expensive, but the results will be worth it.
Trucklites makes a 7" unit that is the same design as the Kury phase 7 but only cost abut $180 at NAPA. 2¢
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11-07-2014, 05:58 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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11-07-2014, 06:42 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Atlanta GA area
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Absolutely! Just remove those three screws and the bucket will come right out.
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11-12-2014, 12:27 PM | #9 | |
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Location: Biddeford, Maine
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Quote:
Just go through the storage box!!!!
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11-12-2014, 01:52 PM | #10 |
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Location: South Florida
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I have big popeye forearms and adding an LED headlamp bulb is a little more involved than just twisting out the old bulb and connecting a new one. I just dont want to have take off the front of the fairing even though I kmow how to do it.
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11-13-2014, 02:48 PM | #11 |
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11-13-2014, 06:14 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Florida
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I have an HID kit installed on my 1500 classic. Looks great but did not feel like wiring up the Vaq with that type of set up. I saw the LED headlamps on the Road Glide I was looking at before I bought the Vaquero. They were impressively bright.
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11-13-2014, 10:49 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Dandridge, TN
Posts: 16
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My headlight wasn't working when I got my bike (just a cpl weeks ago) There is a allen screw just under the headlight housing, remove screw then gently tug from the bottom the trim from around the headlight. I had 4 screws around the headlight on my V. Headlight came right out.....I pulled the rubber off the back and light came right out.....my wiring was unplugged for who knows why....replaced with a PIA bulb....very bright.....50.00 have yet to see it after dark......
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11-14-2014, 11:01 AM | #14 | |
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Location: SOUTH FLORIDA
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Quote:
I was kinda spoiled by my Busa with a HID low beam and the ZX14 with FOUR headlites, 2 low and 2 high. That 14, even with stock bulbs produced an impressive amount of light ahead. When I got the Vaq I felt as if it had a flashlite for a headlite!! RACNRAY
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Last edited by RACNRAY; 11-14-2014 at 11:18 AM.
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11-16-2014, 02:22 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 496
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A couple of related questions:
I took off the fairing last week on my Vaquero and removed the lower deflectors. It was a major PITA to get that lower bolt out. Right behind the bracket holding the engine guard. Took a real bright spark to come up with that. As I put it back together, I thought maybe I could skip that step by getting a small ratchet in and taking the two lower fairing bolts off on each site and leaving the lowers in place. Has anyone done that without major hassle? Also, I got the running light kit and was wondering what type of bulbs it uses. I replaced the head light bulb with a Sylvania Ultrabrite and was going to do the same if they make the right bulb. Thanks, |
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