Can someone tell me is it possible to change the bulbs on a 1998 model VFR without removing half the bike to get at them?:frown:
Yes you can but it takes some patience. Turn the bars all the way to one side and start feeling around...like Long in TJ :wink: ... unplug the bulb and undo the bulb retaining clip (clips on right and swings to the left if memory serves)...I seem to remember a rubber boot seal in there too. You can't see jack in there, it's all by feel, but once you get the first one the other is a breeze
I feel your pain, Ralph. I got some big mitts on me. Trying to get my kielbasa like fingers all up in there wasn't happening. I paid my dealer $45 to change a light bulb.
Thanks for the reply, I did try to do what you said but it seems impossible unless you have very small hands, I'll have to try again. Thanks again. Ralph.
Its a crap design but once you've made up your mind to just take the fairings off they don't take that long to do...Just be careful especially with the front fairing I laid mine Headlight down on a soft rubber matt to change the bulbs, suggest changing both at the same time and while there check electrical plugs etc.
I wear a size large glove and it is a very tight fit reaching in there...I did cuss Mr Honda a few times too :rant:
I own plenty of stuff made by the delicate hands of Chinese children. I'd imagine the Japanese hands are about the same.
No, just take the front fairing off. You'll be happier you did. It's a GIGANTIC pain in the ass to do without taking it off. I've done it both ways. I'll never do it again without just removing the fairing. actually faster that way for me and saves my sanity.
You need to undo the 3 Allen bolts that connect the upper and lower cowls the 2 Allen bolts on the upper cowl that face upward and a couple of plastic clips that attach to the black plastic cowl behind the front wheel (2 per side I think, but only one attaches to the upper cowl. Also need to emote the mirrors and the screw under the mirrors which hold the upper cowl to the fairing support. As already suggested, you should replace both headlights to save yourself the hassle of having to do it again real soon. You know what happens next week, if you only replace one headlight, RIGHT... if you have the upper cowl off, you may also want to consider replacing the instrument panel lights. A lot of people here have posted up about using LED wedge bulbs that have an LED on top of the bulb and a few around the edges as well. They draw less power than the incandescent bulbs and you can get just about every color under the sun, so you can personalize the gauge color if you feel like it. If not, the bulbs are mini wedge style bulbs, though I am not sure of what the number is for the actual bulbs. Then all the lights will be brand new and you won't have to remove the fairing again for a while.
Thanks for the info I will let you know how I get on, if I get it done or limit my riding to day time.(only joking).
