headlight went out

[Dorianfes]

so i'm driving back from the suburbs last night around 11:00 at night, and about 1/4 of the way there my headlight bulb goes out, no low or high beam.  actually, come to think of it, i don't think the low beam ever worked.  the rest of my ride was almost pitch black.  i was actually using other peoples headlights to see.  it was a crazy ride.  anyone know where i can get a replacment bulb?  what kind is stock, or even better is there a cheap upgrade (maybe a halogen) that anyone has used and likes?    
also, is replacing the bulb an easy thing to do?  doesn't seem like it'd be too hard.

thanx for the help again guys,

Dorianfes

[Turkina]

Try some Candlepower Xenon bulbs.  They're $15-20, and the light output is much better than stock.  A whole lot cheaper than getting a PIAA bulb, and works great

Anyways, as for the bulb replacement (do you have a manual?), here goes:
You need a Phillips screwdriver, and sometimes a flat headed screwdriver can be useful to pry off the headlight rim from the headlight bucket.  There are 2 Phillips screws at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions along the chrome rim.  Unscrew those.  Remove the headlight and rim from the bucket by pulling on the bottom part of the rim first.  The headlight will come out and there will be a bunch of wires and connections in the headlight bucket.  So, pull the electrical connector from the bulb (tug on the connector, not the wires).  The bulb is behind the black rubber boot.  Take the boot off and replace the bulb.  Don't touch the bulb with your fingers!  Leaves oil and nasty stuff that will decrease the life of the bulb.  To put things back, just reverse the steps... top part of the rim goes in before the bottom part.

[Dorianfes]

thanks.  do you know where i might be able to find those headlights?  you think that pep boys migh have them or would i have to special order them?

[Turkina]

Nah, Pep Boys doesn't have them, though the Sylvania H4's work too, but they're about 5 dollars more.  Could also go for the Sylvania Silverstars too    but they cost more than that.

http://www.newportcycleparts.com/categories/electrical/hd_lts.htm

Could always buy a few parts at the same time and shipping isn't so bad

[JLKasper]

When one element of a headlight bulb burns out, the other one is usually dmaged and won't last long.  On some bikes, you can actually make contact with both low and high beam by manipulating the dimmer switch just so.  It's hell on a bulb, but good for a quick illumination for a short time.

I bought a Sylvania Silverstar H4 ST for my GS, after I discovered the PO had installed a 100W blue bulb that is illegal and put out crappy light.  The Silverstar is legal, puts out a brilliant white light, and is available at Autozone or Walmart.  It isn't cheap at around $20; a standard H4 Halogen bulb can be had for half that.  Despite being rated on the package as only 65/45 watts, the bulb itself was marked at 65/55.