Signs that the bulb is going out.

[average]

So lately my headlight has been doing some odd things. On occasion, when I hit the brake it has gone completely out a few times. Now of course Captain Obvious would tell me to check the battery and various other electrical bits which I did and I haven't found anything out of the ordinary. I notice that when I ride at night the light output continously fluctuates from dim to dimmer. Has anyone else experienced it? Should I just change the bulb and see if that changes anything?

[qwertydude]

That could possibly be either a poor battery connection or a failing regulator.

[the mole]

If everything else electrical works, and the bike starts easily, the battery and regulator are probably OK. If so its likely a bad connection somewhere, if it affects both high and low beam its likely a bad earth. Pull all the headlight related connectors in the headlight shell and make sure they're clean and tight.
Another possibility is a bad high/lowbeam switch. Try switching from high to low and back to see if it makes any difference.

[JB848]

Definitely sounds electrical not Headlight wearing out. If the headlight switches from high beam to low beam on it's own it probably a short in your system. Meaning you have a bad ground or a ground that shouldn't be. Like the Mole said take the headlight housing apart and do a visual inspection first, then the things you can disconnect, disconnect and pay attention to any loose fittings. All electrical connections should be at least snug not loose to make a proper electrical connection for the proper current/voltage. Also look for corrosion, any white, or green discoloration and if there is any, clean it as best you can with wire brush until you a good clean copper connection.

[average]

the light isnt switching from hi to lo. It just looks like that because of power fluctuation. Keep in mind that there's no surging of the motor, just the light.

[JB848]

OK then if that is the case then it is definitely a short between the battery, the wires that feed the head lamp and the head lamp itself. If you take apart the head light housing I am sure you will find your problem.

[average]

And I've done the full F conversion so there's no bucket to take apart. 

[Toogoofy317]

Mine did that for awhile and finally went out. New bulb fixed the problem  . Was only $7 so could give it a try. Oh yeah don't touch the bulb when replacing it getting that smudge off was a PITA. Also, remember how that dumb little clip fits in. It popped out so I didn't realize which way it went I swear it was like a rubix's cube or something LOL!

Mary

[natedawg120]

does the light level also fluctuate when you turn on the high beam?  If you don't ride around all the time with your high on that filament should be in better shape and if it doesn't act that way with the high beam then replace the bulb and see what you have.  In any case i would just replace the bulb cause its the cheapest and quickest thing to try.

[The Buddha]

My headlight was acting up, then I found out the R/R is dying and it went one day.
Swapped it and it is OK.
Cool.
Buddha.