Replace front light bulb

[bill steele]

So my low beam bulb burned out at 7000 miles-I checked in the manual and it said remove right side panel so I did you can not reach the bulb , All you see is the battery and fuse panel etc. there is no way you are going to get to the bulb from the side. So I look on Youtube wiki and any where else that might help. I did read that BMW will charge you 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. to replace the bulb because you have to take off a crazy amount of panels to get to the bulb (about a $200.00 to replace the bulb
I replaced it in 25 minutes. This is what I did, you can reach up from the front and feel the back end of the bulb cover just pull it off next get a mirror about 2 in by 3 inch bring that up from the front end and you can look from the side and see the bulb and clip that holds it in. undo the clip by squeezing them together that will release the bulb from the light box. next you need a cabinet screw driver (thin) about 8 inches long you will have to hold the bulb holder and pry the bulb from the holder (not hard to do) install the new bulb in the holder and reinstall to light box. Make sure you line up the detente of the bulb with the cut out of the light box otherwise the bulb will not line up right and you will not be able to reset the spring clip. Some of the items you will have to do 1 handed be patient and you will save a ton of money The bulb was $13.00

 

[Xian Forbes]

My low beam went at 4,500 miles. its not an easy job but it can be done without too much hastle. would be better if I had little tiny hands and super long arms. Where did you find an H7 for 13.00. Mine was 30.00 for a nice 5000degree lamp at Road Rider.

 

[bill steele]

I got the bulb at the local auto parts store.

 

[Redcatjack]

I got 7,200 on my low beam. Had the same reaction - in the manual looks easy peasy, take the panel off and WTF? The advice on getting a mirror up there was really valuable. Managed to get mine done in about 20 mins too. Even managed to keep my fingers off of the new bulb. Bulb was about 16.00 on Amazon for a motorcycle rated H7.

 

[Skutorr]

BETTER H-7 bulbs.

As long as you have to replace them, upgrade them.

These will be here Monday.





Link to get them:

Amazon.com: Sylvania H7 SU SilverStar Ultra Halogen Headlight Bulb, (Pack of 2): Automotive

 

[Xian Forbes]

I bought those silverstar lamps and I do like them. I have tried several different types and silverstar is about as good as you'll get at most automotive parts shops. I did also try one of the super blue lamps, I do not recommend them. If you see a lamp with a blue tint to the capsule, stay away. The color might be crisp and nice white, the blue tint makes for a less bright light...It's coming out today and the stock Osram is going back in the high beam position.

I have also asked Santa for a DDM Tuning HID H7 lamp kit. At $35.00 and a little extra for the canbus adapter its worth a try. I've seen that not all reflectors work well with HID, but the price is reasonable so I'll give it a try and hope that the cutoff is not too annoying for on-coming traffic.

 

[Skutorr]

I put those Silverstars in today, will find out how they are tonight. BTW, they are OSRAMS repackaged by Sylvania!!!

 

[Skutorr]

Uh, AMAZING UPGRADE! Low beam is 50% wider, twice as bright and you can see MUCH further! Better vision with just the LOW than with BOTH beams on before.

Now, on High Beam, I don't feel like I can outrun my view. Went down my local, dark undulating road at night (50 mph limit); 70mph in the DARK was COMFORTABLE!!! I could see forever. Wow!

 

[SteveADV]

Skutorr, Anyone flick their brights at you?

 

[Skutorr]

NOPE! But, as I come up upon other vehicles at night, I hit the LOWS. They have a SHARP cut-off and don't glare at others.

Rode again at night last night at DUSK, at RUSH hour. Two BAD times for being seen. Was very glad I had the new lights!!!

 

[wickham]

I guess i'm lucky, my bulb just burned out at 10,000 miles. I followed the instructions in the manual to replace it by pulling off the right panel and let's say the tech writers missed a few important steps. Apparently, they forgot to mention that the battery box was blocking it. I came across this thread from someone who had similar issue and put screen shots on how to replace it. I'm little iffy on cutting the 2 zip ties on the back of battery box. Anyone try this?

Anybody Changed A BMW C650GT Headlight Bulb? - Page 2 - ADVrider

 

[Joeboxer82is]

My low beam bulb blew at 16,000km and i replaced both low & high beam with e Osrams Nightbreaker Unlimited! Quite a significant difference between e OEM Osram's and e nightbreaker.I've always used e Nightbreakers for all my previous bikes so this added road clarity is an added bonus!

 

[JaimeC]

Link to my tale of woe:
http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/garage-mechanical-help/353-headlight-burned-out-2.html#post4091

 

[Jesse Diaz]

As long as you have to replace them, upgrade them.

These will be here Monday.

View attachment 300View attachment 301



Link to get them:

Amazon.com: Sylvania H7 SU SilverStar Ultra Halogen Headlight Bulb, (Pack of 2): Automotive

I went to order these and they had an option to make sure they will fit your model. Once I put in BMW c650gt, it said it did fit my bike

 

[Scorpion56]

I use highs almost all the time- except when it's cloudy. No one flashes at me, and I seem to have fewer people cutting across from my left to right because they can't see me.

Both hi and low burned out at about 5K miles and I replaced them with BMW parts for about $25 a pop. Used my imagination instead of the mirror when I had my hand up there feeling around for that retaining clip. The second bulb only took 10 minutes.

Any ideas or experience on the expected life of the Sylvania?

 

[justscootin]

Any ideas or experience on the expected life of the Sylvania?

200 hours due to it being hotter

 

[Xian Forbes]

That's why I stopped using the ultra high output lamps. The life expectancy is shorter and fishing up and under the nose kinda sucks to do twice a year. It would be nice to retro fit a different switch to shut down the headlight during the day. We already have running lights. I'm hoping the LEDs get smaller so they'll fit.

 

[hardright]

After 8800 kms I have had to replace the low beam 2X and the high beam once. Switched to Osram Nightbreakers. I hope they last.

First time around I took down the right panel and battery to get to the low beam. Took me 1.5 hours. The time I replaced the high beam， I took down the left panel to get to it. Took me 45 mins. The 2nd time I replace the low beam bulb，took me only 20 mins as i could reach it by turning the wheel to the right and reach it from underneath. I was feeling my way around to remove and install the clips. Next time i know i can do it in much less time.

Question is how do you get the dust out of the headlights. While putting the bulb， some dirt or debris fell in there. Vacuum? House vacuum nozzle is too big.

 

[Snowdog]

To keep dirt out, blow the area off with compressed air before you take the bulb out.

 

[exavid]

I changed my low beam bulb today. 11,010 miles. It was an easy chore because I have a Harbor Freight bike lift. Once up on the lift I didn't have to undo anything, just turned the fork to the left and reached up behind it to get at the bulb. It only took a few minutes. I had the bike out tonight to my gun club bullseye practice. On the way home in the dark that new Silverstar was much brighter than the OEM.
I don't think I could have changed that bulb if I didn't have the lift. Being old and creaky with arthritis I couldn't squat down and reach up into the fairing like I could on the lift. Worth every penny. I've had several different bikes and scooters of friends on that lift and it handles them all including a couple Goldwings. I did make some side rails that clip on either side so one has decent footing when the bike starts up on the lift. Makes it an easy one man operation.