GL1800 (Any Year): How To Replace Low-Beam Bulb

[Cruiseman]

Some Goldwings are notorious for blowing headlight bulbs. Here is a quick reference on how to replace a low-beam bulb on a GL1800.

First, you can replace a low-beam bulb without removing any parts. However, it helps if you have small hands as you will have to reach through the tunnel.

PARTS NEEDED

An H7 automotive headlight bulb. You can find these at any automotive store or Walmart.
A small flashlight is helpful to look at the back of the headlight to see what you are doing

STEPS

1. Place your bike on the center stand
2. Turn your handlebars so that you can access the back of the headlight through the tunnel
3. Reaching through the tunnel, locate the plug on the back of the headlight and pull the plug free.
4. Tug on the rubber boot to remove it from the back of the headlight fixture. You should now be able to see the back of the headlight bulb adapter (two prongs).
5. Release the spring clip holding the bulb in place. You do this by pressing in on the clip while moving the clip up.
6. Swing the spring clip out of the way
7. Carefully pull the bulb and adapter straight out of the fixture
8. Remove the adapter from the back of the bulb
9. Place the new bulb into the adapter. Be careful not to touch the new bulb with your skin. If you DO touch the bulb, the salt and oil in your skin can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely. You can use alcohol on a Q-Tip to clean the bulb if you accidentally touch it.
10. Place the bulb+adapter back into the headlight fixture. Make sure the tab is in the UP position so that the bulb is inserted properly. There is a notch on the back of the headlight fixture for this tab to fit into.
11. Now comes the hardest part, you have to hold the bulb in place with one finger, while using another finger to swing the spring clip back into place. Be patient. This takes some practice and it may take you several tries to get it to work, but you can do it. After you do this a couple of time, it becomes second nature.
12. With the spring clip in place, look at the headlight from the front of the bike to make sure the bulb appears to be inserted correctly.
13. Replace the rubber boot
14. Insert the plug onto the prongs
15. Job done!

[jmohme]

16. Turn bars the other direction and repeat steps 3 thru 15.

Low beam bulbs often fail within days or even minutes of one another, so it's not a bad idea to do both while you are in the bulb changing mode.

[Cruiseman]

16. Turn bars the other direction and repeat steps 3 thru 15.

Low beam bulbs often fail within days or even minutes of one another, so it's not a bad idea to do both while you are in the bulb changing mode.

Agreed

[Ghostman]

The only part I would add dont be in a hurry and if you have an 07 or later take the extra 5 mins or so to take off the dash. It gives you some more working room and makes it a little easier to see in there. And like the others have said,replace both low beams for piece of mind.

[genedjr]

I agree. With my ham hands this was a necessary step and only take another couple of minutes.
...gene

[Matt Caswell]

If you have fat arms like me and can't get them in the little bars slits then sit on a stool in front of your wing and go up around your forks. I have fat arms and I found this way much easier to get to and much faster to do.

[Papa smurf2]

Thanks Cruiseman for the instructions. For sure, practice this skill BEFORE you need it, like out on the road DAYS away from home.

[Cruiseman]

Thanks Cruiseman for the instructions. For sure, practice this skill BEFORE you need it, like out on the road DAYS away from home.

Agreed

[Lone Ranger]

I had the original bulbs in my '03 last year when a friend called it to my attention that the right low beam was out. Well after changing it I decided to change the left low beam as well. I keep the original left low beam as a spare tucked in my tool bag. along with other spare parts.

[bullyboy]

A shot of silicone spray on the rubber boots makes them super easy to re-install!