Change the Headlight on your Harley Davidson VRSC

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.