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Although you won't need to do so very often, it's important to act quickly to repair the headlight on a Harley Davidson VRSC when the headlight bulb does burn out. These bulbs are designed to last for a very long time; in the course of the lifetime of the motorcycle, you'll likely only have to change the bulb a small handful of times. However, it is illegal in most areas to drive without a functioning headlight, and it's also dangerous as well. Fortunately, changing out the headlight in your motorcycle is an easy task that can be accomplished in a short period of time and at home with only a few common tools. Read on for a step by step guide on how to do so.

Step 1 -- Gather the Materials

You'll need the following materials in order to change out your VRSC headlight:

• New headlight bulb
• Gloves
• Soft cloth or towel
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Small container
• Screwdriver

Step 2 -- Prepare to Remove the Old Bulb

Begin by removing all of the protective equipment that covers the headlight bulb. You can start by pulling off the fairing protector, if there is one on your VRSC. Next, take off the chrome ring that lines the outer rim of the headlight bulb. In both of these cases, it's best to pull off these items by hand, carefully. Remove them with your hands by pulling them directly out from the bulb, not by pulling them either up or down. This can cause unnecessary damage.

Next, unscrew the screws that line the outside of the bulb casing so that you can pull the bulb out. On most VRSCs there are 3 distinct screws, usually set up in a triangular pattern around the outside. Pull them out and set them aside in the small container in a safe place where you can access them easily later on.

Step 3 -- Remove the Old Bulb and Plug

Pull out the old bulb by hand, being careful to pull it straight outward from the headlight casing as well. Do not pull it too far out; it will be attached in the back to a three pronged plug that connects the bulb to the power source. Only pull until the cord for the plug becomes taut. At that point, remove the plug from the back of the bulb by pulling it straight out by hand. If you're unable to do so by hand, instead pull the plug out using the needle nose pliers. Do not pull the plug out by continuing to pull the bulb out from the headlight casing.

Step 4 -- Install the New Bulb

After setting aside the old bulb to discard later on, put on your gloves. This will help to ensure that you don't get any grease, oils, residues or other fingerprints on the new bulb. Attach the new bulb to the plug and wipe both down with the soft cloth. Place the bulb into the headlight fixture and attach it in place with the screws.

Step 5 -- Adjust the Bulb and Secure It In Place

Turn the bulb on and examine where the light goes. Adjust the light angle by loosening or tightening the screws so that it points outward in front of the bike and slightly down toward the ground. When that's set, place the chrome ring and the fairing protector back over the front of the bulb.

All of the different materials that you'll need for this project are available at a hardware store, save the bulb itself, which can be found at a motorcycle repair shop.

 

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