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Light bulbs...I just replaced them all.

3.4K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  DaveFromDenver  
#1 ·
I have an '08 on which a trunk tail light bulb went out during a multi-day group ride. They were shocked that I felt it was important to replace it ASAP. When I got home I replaced all of the bulbs except headlight (recently replaced) and high beam. Excluding the headlights there are 11 bulbs on this bike that burn all of the time plus 2 amber rear turn signal bulbs. I figured that if one went out the others aren't far behind. Interestingly, Honda used dual element bulbs in the tail lights and the tail/brakes lights so there were 10 of the same bulb, 2 amber turn signal bulbs, and the license plate bulb. Anyways, I commented to a couple of the group members that I had replaced them all and both were surprised that I hadn't simply purchased a spare bulb or two. What are your thoughts on this? Are you a one-at-a-time-er or an all-at-once-er? BTW, I stowed a couple of the old ones as spares.
 
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#3 ·
I am a replace them as they go
for instance, my 2002 truck, I have only replaced one tail light bulb and one head light bulb and front turn signal bulb (the two front were taken out by a deer)
I have only replaced one tail light on our 06 camry, did replace the 4 headlights, but that was an upgrade to the brighter sylvanias
my '13 wing, I have replaced the low beams a couple of times each and one tail light
my 55 chevy that had been parked in 74, I purchased in 2000, after the restoration, all lights still worked, and were still in it when I sold her in 2008
 
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#4 ·
When I bought my 2 Wings (both used), 1st thing I did was tear things down, to clean, lube electrical components. Get my hands on the machine, and changed all the bulbs. That way I knew everything was new. After that I would only change them if the burned out, and only the ones that burned out.
 
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#5 ·
Replace all the bulbs with LEDs . Now it is unlikely any of them will burn out. If you haven't already do yourself a favor and replace the headlights , at least the low beams, with LEDs. I found that I would have to replace the low beams about every 6 months. If one went than other one would typically burnout within a week or two.
 
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#8 ·
In my original post I didn't mention that I may be a little traumatized so overly attentive to bulbs. On a recent return trip from Colorado to North Carolina I discovered that I had been riding in the rain for an unknown number of hours with without any headlights. It was a "praise the LORD" moment when I pulled into the motel and saw the front of the bike in a window reflection. I had checked the lights the morning before but not that morning so both headlights went out sometime within the previous 36 hours. I now regret giving a Dodge Caravan driver the middle finger salute when she changed lanes in front of me. Check your headlights before every ride!

I'll be looking into LEDs although I really like the Philips bulbs I have in there now. They appear brighter and cleaner than the previous Sylvanias. The new bulbs are Philips CrystalVision ultra H7 CVB2. The previous ones were Sylvania Silverstar (not the Ultra). The Philips were cheaper too although longevity is unknown.
Link to bulb on Philips website.
 
#6 ·
Ive replaced all of mine with LED except the high beams. Ill do them sometime. I also connected all of the rear lights to run together. Havent messed with dash lights yet.
 
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#7 ·
I just replaced my high beam light (well actually it was my wife that did the job) my hands were too big to get into the space........ We just watched a U tube video on how too, and away she went, and replaced that bulb.........................

Ronnie
 
#10 ·
I'm like you...I would replace them all. No doubt I'm OCD, but it bugs me when things don't operate as they should. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but my things won't stay broken for long.
 
#11 ·
I've had my '08 for 11 years and 90,000 miles. I've replaced one taillight bulb, three low-beam headlight bulbs, and a position relay. Honda bulbs last longer than Sylvania bulbs.
 
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