Well, the low beam burned out on our Electra Glide Limited a few days ago so it was time to attempt to swap it our ourselves (with a little help from our dog Emmy).
After a quick visit to Frederick Harley Davidson for a new bulb, I checked on-line for some tips to how to proceed, there were not many. I was really worried a bit that I would have to remove the fairing to replace the bulb, but it turned out that was not the case….you just need three hands (and a paw).
The first step was to remove the outer chrome bezel by removing one screw and a short clockwise twist. Removing that bezel revealed an inner one holding the light housing on with three screws, (note leave the top one for last(.
After the housing was pulled free, there is a wire spring that holds the bulb unit in the housing, the bulb is released by sliding the spring from its catch. The bulb itself is released by pressing in on the detents on each side of the plug.
Making sure my skin did not touch the new bulb’s glass (the oils from our skin will decrease the life of the bulb I am told) I traced back the disassembly to assemble the light again. I did use blue Loctiite to ensure that the screws would not vibrate loose. There was just one item that gave me a bit of concern and that was the wire spring on the inside of the outer bezel. I was not sure where the spring was to align and just took my best guess. I will keep a close eye on that part for the next few weeks to make sure it stays in place.
All in all it took the three of us about 30 minutes to swap out the bulb and get on the road again.
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- Headlight without outer bezel removed
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- After removing the inner bezel
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- Closeup the back of the light
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- The spring that holds the bulb inplace
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- Release the spring and the headlight drops free
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- Our helper, Emmy!
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- Difficult to make out but there are two detents that must be squeezed to release the old bulb
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- Insert the new bulb
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- New bulb!
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- Replace the bezels!
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- Tools we needed.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 