Posts Tagged ‘moto’

My 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S came with some added character, including a burnt out light behind the tach.  Here’s my how-to on changing the bulb.

1. Get the right tools for the job
   You will need a 10mm ratchet or wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver, as well as a replacement bulb. My bulb came from Honda with part number 37237-SA5-003. If you’re not using stock parts, it was also labeled as “Stanley 158″ which might help you find it.
2. Be safe
   Always do electrical work with the key removed and the bike left in “lock” or “off”. Do not do electrical work with the ignition in the “park” position. It is still possible to get zapped if you touch the wrong wires, but it is probable that you will get zapped unless you leave the ignition in the “off” or “locked” position.
3. Remove the nuts from the brace at the bottom-front of the front cover
   Using your 10mm ratchet, remove the nuts (x2) attaching the brace to the front cover.
4. Remove the bolts from the frame on the inside left and right edges of the front cover
   Using your screwdriver, remove the bolts (x2) attaching the front cover to the frame assembly. On my bike, I had to nudge aside the hydraulics to even see the bolts, much less unscrew them. The front panel including the headlight will probably fall off at this point. Mine was attached to the frame with a wire but you may not be so lucky. If it doesn’t…
5. Remove the front panel from the frame
   Tug, pry, cajole or otherwise entice the front panel off of the frame. To the best of my knowledge you should be able to freely move the panel about at this point. There should be wiring to the headlight and a safety wire but these should not restrict your freedom of movement.
6. Pull the bulb assembly from the back of the instrument panel
   Using your fingers, pull firmly back on the rubber tab on the back of the bulb. There are two of these located on the extreme edges of the panel, so it should be pretty obvious which one you want to replace. I don’t recommend using a pliers to grip the rubber tab, nor do I recommend pulling on the wires.
7. Replace the bulb
   Extract the bulb from the sock by pulling gently but firmly on the glass. Replace with the new one. Mine was idiot-proofed so as long as you seat it properly in the sock it should work. After you have inserted the new bulb in the sock, I recommend that you put the key in the ignition and turn it to “on” to check that it works.
8. Put it all back together
   If you end up with parts left over you have probably screwed up.