Boost your beam

Dark nights need bright lights so set a shining example

The type is right

There are a few different types of headlight bulb most of which relate to the shaped base or flange of the bulb and how it fits into the housing. The three most common types are (l-r): H7, H4 and H1. When handling halogen bulbs, only hold them by the metal base, as oils and contamination from your skin will create a hot spot on the glass and cause it to fail.

Bright has to be right

Choose carefully if you decide you want to fit brighter bulbs and make sure that they are of the correct type and wattage. The online market is awash with LED bulbs and conversions, however some of these bulbs have a cooling fan that is attached to the rear of the bulb so are unlikely to fit without significant modification to the housing.

Become enlightened

Ensure you know the type of lights your bike uses. The conventional bulb needs no introduction and is readily available and easy to fit. The various types of LED lights, however, need a bit more consideration. Check your owner’s manual for instructions. Problems can be costly. An LED headlight assembly and control unit for the latest Yamaha R1, for example, is £740!

Know the procedure

Changing a headlamp bulb is usually simple, but check the workshop manual as there is often a spring-loaded clip that can be fiddly. Unclip it and remove the bulb, taking care not to touch the bulb glass. As you remove the bulb make a note of how it was fitted, there is usually a shaped flange that locates it so that the main and dipped beam are aimed correctly.

Make sure you don’t overload the system

When you fit the new halogen bulb double-check its wattage and type is correct. This is important as fitting an uprated bulb with increased wattage is not only illegal but could also overload the electrical system. There are also maximum wattages for tail, brake and indicator bulbs.

Improving your contacts

Sometimes a non-working bulb can be attributed to corrosion or oxidisation of the contacts, often caused by moisture creeping in through a cracked lens or damaged seal. Remove corrosion by rubbing the contacts on the bulb and the holder with wet and dry. The holder can often be difficult to reach so wrap some paper around a screwdriver for better access.

Rejuvenate and shine through

A headlight lens can become opaque due to a mix of road dirt abrading the surface and the effects of UV and oxidisation. Restoration kits are around £15 and can restore a plastic headlamp back to original. It’s a simple process that involves polishing the surface with ever finer polishes and can be carried out while the headlight is still on the bike.

Clean your lenses

An easy way to make lights brighter is to keep their lenses clean. Tail lights and indicators can be cleaned easily as they’re usually retained by one or two self-tapping screws. Once removed give the inside a good wipe. Excess dirt or moisture could indicate a damaged seal, replace if necessary.

Twin purpose tail light

When replacing a rear light or indicator bulb make sure you use the correct type. At a glance they have the same dimensions, but a close look will show the twin filaments and offset locating pegs of the tail bulb. This is because this bulb performs the dual functions of the rear light and brake light. The brake light filament is 21 watts and tail light filament is 5 watts.

On the blink

Indicators are essential for communicating with other road users so make sure they’re working as well as they can. Keep the lenses clean and clear by removing them in the same way as the rear light lens. It’s also worth making sure that any rubber O rings or gaskets are in good order, as this will help prevent moisture entering the unit.