Buy replacement headlite bulb???

[GYPSYGAL]

I have a 1999 GoldWing 1500SE and my left low beam is out. Do I have to order H4 12V 45/45W from motorcycle supply/or shop or can I buy in auto parts store? I have downloaded the "how to replace" and I know it will take me a while to do and I'm trying to avoid taking to shop as it is almost 50 miles away and with cost of parts and labor I would attempt to do on my own. If low beam is not working, is there a way to check and see if something is loose or maybe a fuse or something else? I appreciate any and all help and suggestions I can get!

[Ol' Grey]

I've replaced m/c headlights with auto headlights before with no problem. It's been awhile, but if memory serves, they were Wagner H6's........

Please keep in mind that some bikes electrical systems are more sensitive to bulb ratings than others. Since you've got the rating for your headlight, you could compare with what they're selling at your local auto parts store. If it looks like a match, it'll probably be just fine.

I doubt that the low beam is a bad fuse, since a bad fuse would prevent the hi-beam from working as well. Low and Hi-beams simply fail on occasion.........

Good luck and Ride Safe.........

[Scott1]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>GYPSYGAL</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=105336#post105336" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS"><font size="4"><font color="teal">I have a 1999 GoldWing 1500SE and my left low beam is out. Do I have to order H4 12V 45/45W from motorcycle supply/or shop or can I buy in auto parts store? I have downloaded the "how to replace" and I know it will take me a while to do and I'm trying to avoid taking to shop as it is almost 50 miles away and with cost of parts and labor I would attempt to do on my own. If low beam is not working, is there a way to check and see if something is loose or maybe a fuse or something else? I appreciate any and all help and suggestions I can get!</font></font></span><br />
<img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>I changed out my H4 headlight bulbs in my 1999 Valkyrie. Honda uses a special H4 45/45 watt bulb. Car H4 bulbs are 55/65 watt and will not fit in your Goldwing.

Electrical Connection makes an adapter so you can replace the Honda H4 45/45 bulbs to car 55/65 bulbs (Follow Link) <a href="http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/h4_shim.htm" target="_blank">Honda H4 Headlight Bulb Shims</a> you must cut off 2 of the mounting tabs to get the car bulbs to work that is why you need the adapter. If you don't use the adapter the car bulb will be misaligned when installed with the tabs cut off.

[Ol' Grey]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Scott1</strong>
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<div class="message">I changed out my H4 headlight bulbs in my 1999 Valkyrie. Honda uses a special H4 45/45 watt bulb. Car H4 bulbs are 55/65 watt and will not fit in your Goldwing. Electrical Connection makes an adapter so you can replace the Honda H4 45/45 bulbs to car 55/65 bulbs (Follow Link) <a href="http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/h4_shim.htm" target="_blank">Honda H4 Headlight Bulb Shims</a> you must cut off 2 of the mounting tabs to get the car bulbs to work that is why you need the adapter. If you don't use the adapter the car bulb will be misaligned when installed with the tabs cut off.</div>

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</div>Great info, Scott1.....The H6's that I mentioned were traditional 3-prong headlight bulbs for use in Bates style headlights on a chopper (Edit: Checked the maintenance log, wasn't an H6, but a Wagner HalogenGold H5006LL). The bulb in the link you provided looks more like a halogen bulb. Yes ? No ? <br />
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Couple questions:<br />
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Does Honda still offer the original H4 45/45W for the m/c and, if so, would they be a direct install without any need for trimming or the adapter ? <br />
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When using the H4 55/65W with adapter, am guessing that it has no adverse effect on the electrical system, right ?

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If the H4 45/45W is still available but one chooses to go with the H4 55/65W w/adapter, which would be more cost effective in the long run ? <br />
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Just trying to help GYPSYGAL narrow down her choices.......<br />
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Thanx in advance and Ride Safe........

[Ol' Grey]

Also found this........4th bulb down on the linked page. If you click on the drawing and then click again on "Full Size View", it only has the 3 tabs (not 5)

Would this one work as a direct replacement for her original ? If it even would, not sure of the price, but one could probably ask the vendor online or just "Add to Cart" to see the price and then bail if it costs too much.......

HEADLIGHT BULBS

[Ol' Grey]

GYPSYGAL........Not much more that I can find other than this info:

Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories by BikeBandit.com has the headlight bulbs for $26.98 ea + S&H
Cheap Cycle Parts has 'em for $24.92 ea + S&H

At either of the above sites, just type in your model info and go to "Electrical" and then to "Headlight" to view the diagrams. Also appears that for your model, two of these bulbs are required and I'm not sure how that works, so hopefully some Winger folks will chime in with the info you need........I can only guess that maybe one bulb is used for Low Beam and both bulbs are used for Hi-beam ?

You could also check eBay under "Goldwing headlight bulb" on the eBay search line........and/or call the Honda dealership to compare pricing with them as well. If it turns out that Honda has the originals in stock and if their price isn't ridiculous, it might be worth the 50 mile run, plus you'd get some quality saddle-time

Once again........Good luck and Ride Safe

Edit: Oh yeah, almost forgot........the other link I posted that reads "HEADLIGHT BULBS" is some site in Queensland! DOH! LOL!

[Scott1]

GYPSYGAL, you can purchase the Honda H4 45/45 watt bulb from Honda or you can purchase the adapter rings from Electrical Connection and use a automobile bulb H4 55/65 watt in your Goldwing. The adaptor rings are only about 1/32" thick. With the car bulbs you cut off 2 of the 3 mounting tabs and the adaptor has the new location of all 3 tabs.

If you want to increase the output wattage of your headlights to 55/65 watt get the adaptor rings. You must buy 2 new automobile bulbs H4 55/65 watt.

The cheapest is just replace the Honda H4 45/45 watt bulb with the same.

Ol' Grey, you have to many questions for this simple repair!

[Ol' Grey]

"Ol' Grey, you have to many questions for this simple repair!"

Just one more question, Scott1.......since you know all the answers, what took ya so long ? hehehe.........

[Scott1]

"Ol' Grey, you have to many questions for this simple repair!"

Just one more question, Scott1.......since you know all the answers, what took ya so long ? hehehe.........

Ol' Grey,

Sorry if YOU feel that I took a long time to reply to a simple post that had all the information that she needed to fix her problem. 1 repair problem with 2 simple repair options. I am sure she can find price information on her own and make a intelligent decision on what to purchase or have the Honda dealer do the repair. I didn't try to confuse her with a bunch of nonsense and unknown information like you did.

Also as far as quote "knowing all the answers" figure that one out for yourself.

Some people belong to this motorcycle club.

KEYBOARD WARRORIORS mc.

[Ol' Grey]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Scott1</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=105537#post105537" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message"><font color="Blue">Ol' Grey,<br />
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Sorry if <u><font color="Red">YOU</font></u> feel that I took a long time to reply to a simple post that had all the information that she needed to fix her problem. 1 repair problem with 2 simple repair options. I am sure she can find price information on her own and make a intelligent decision on what to purchase or have the Honda dealer do the repair. I didn't try to confuse her with a bunch of nonsense and unknown information like you did. <br />
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Also as far as quote "knowing all the answers" figure that one out for yourself. <br />
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Some people belong to this motorcycle club.</font><br />
<br />
KEYBOARD WARRORIORS mc.</div>

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</div>I'd been trying to help GYPSYGAL with her question as best I could (and, yes, sometimes one's best just isn't good enough) You entered the thread and your reply was most welcome as it's obvious that you could provide the info she needed. I even encouraged you to take the opportunity to shine as you could help her out whereas I wasn't having as much luck with that and I'm not well versed with Goldwings in general. You finally post the requested info and then you consciously took the time to be rude towards me. That being the case, I took the time to reply as a smart-a**. <br />
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Will also be the first to acknowledge that I don't know all there is to know about motorcycles, but I enjoy learning and knowing that there's always something new to learn keeps the trip exciting for me.

Some of the best wrenches I've ever known have been patient and kind enough to take the time to share what they know in the interest of helping others. There's an old saying that goes something along the lines of "Knowledge Not Shared, Is Knowledge Wasted". For those wrenches who've taken the time to help me learn without being haughty about it, they've got my highest respect. There's others, who even tho' they may know more than me on a particular item, don't impress me as much. <br />
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No one was born knowing all of this stuff. We learn by research, by reading manuals, by doing the work ourselves........and by asking questions. If you've never, ever had to ask any questions in order to learn all you have about mechanics, then you're a blessed individual indeed. <br />
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(As far your last snippet of wisdom........that shoe fits you well <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" />)

[keepinon]

I just replaced my H4 bulb, 55/60 watt, with a Sylvania xtra vision bulb. Bought it at WalMart. The package clearly states motorcycle H4, or 9003 auto.

I like the little brighter light.

[jmly]

Gypsygal, Could you just ride during daylight hours so everyone could get along. ROFL

[Ol' Grey]

Gypsygal, Could you just ride during daylight hours so everyone could get along. ROFL

ROTFLMAO!!!!! Now, THAT'S funny!

Any up-dates, GYPSYGAL ?