Headlight bulb retainer fix

dsy · 01-25-2013, 11:53 AM

Thought this might help others. If you have had to change a headlight bulb and were able to do it with out breaking those little plastic nubs off that keep the wire bulb retainer aligned, you were lucky. They break off very easy and then do not hold the bulb properly. the dealers solution is to charge you $500. for a new headlamp assembly so there is a chance it will break again. The easy fix is cheap and permanent. Go to your local hardware store and buy a piece of aluminum step flashing which should cost about 25 cents or just cut a piece out of your local favorite brew can after appropriate draining. Cut a piece out about an inch long and just wide enough to fit in between the bulb retainer clip. Bend it in half and then punch or drill a hole through it for the screw.
Here is a pic of what your looking for

And a pic of it installed. Makes hooking and unhooking those clips an easy one handed operation.

Doug

def · 01-25-2013, 12:10 PM

Could we use a beer can (an empty one, of course) instead?

dsy · 01-25-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by def

Could we use a beer can (an empty one, of course) instead?

Even better

A green solution.

def · 01-25-2013, 12:47 PM

Hmmmmm......I don't recall any green beer cans only ginger ale.......anybody?

jachard · 01-25-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by def

Hmmmmm......I don't recall any green beer cans only ginger ale.......anybody?

There's one in every crowd......

ignatz72 · 01-25-2013, 01:22 PM

Rolling Rock, duh.

LaurelPerryOnLand · 01-25-2013, 02:14 PM

Should be able to get something similar at HD and Lowe's!

Just get rid of the triangle steel wire and insert the clip!

They're called picture hangers!
I found 'em here: http://www.govart.com

WindSailor · 01-25-2013, 04:40 PM

Thanks 'dsy' and Robert.

Next time my headlight assembly comes off - this will be the next addition. Yep already broke those tabs off and have a washer on it, but I like this idea a whole lot better.

A buddy of mine had a headlight go out on his bike - pulled over - had the side stand down - and was *really getting into it concentration and all and *&^$#!&^* - and the biked tipped over. Luckily he got his hand out before it hit the ground. This will help in those moments.

Green cans? Isn't that the 2% meant for the 'Geriatric' crowd like def? Nope - sorry - that was Ginger Ale... my bad. He had it right.

rdwalker · 01-25-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsy

... Go to your local hardware store and buy a piece of aluminum step flashing which should cost about 25 cents or just cut a piece out of your local favorite brew can after appropriate draining. Cut a piece out about an inch long and just wide enough to fit in between the bulb retainer clip. Bend it in half and then punch or drill a hole through it for the screw... Doug

Doug: a very nice solution. Of course, any solution that requires draining a can of your favorite adult beverage is NICE!

About the screw that holds down the clip: it's now a very long time since I opened and looked at the assembly and I do not recall if it is an existing item.
Is it? Or, did you have to drill a seat for it in the housing?

Tnx. Robert.

def · 01-25-2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindSailor

Green cans? Isn't that the 2% meant for the 'Geriatric' crowd like def? Nope - sorry - that was Ginger Ale... my bad. He had it right.

My beer (Yuengling) comes in a brown bottle. Sorry.

EJ_92606 · 01-25-2013, 06:54 PM

Nice solution...I just grabbed a washer for the screw and it has worked, but I must say yours is more elegant.

dsy · 01-25-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwalker

Doug: a very nice solution. Of course, any solution that requires draining a can of your favorite adult beverage is NICE!

About the screw that holds down the clip: it's now a very long time since I opened and looked at the assembly and I do not recall if it is an existing item.
Is it? Or, did you have to drill a seat for it in the housing?

Tnx. Robert.

Yep the screw shown in the 2nd pic is the stock screw. All you need to add is the tab with a hole for the screw. It should have come from BMW like that.

Doug

guitarin · 01-25-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Should be able to get something similar at HD and Lowe's!

Just get rid of the triangle steel wire and insert the clip!

They're called picture hangers!
I found 'em here: http://www.govart.com

Exactly what I did!

everycredit · 01-26-2013, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ignatz72

Rolling Rock, duh.

That's not beer, silly. That's water!

TomDac · 01-26-2013, 06:02 AM

Beer in a can???? Fail

01-25-2013, 11:53 AM	#1
dsy ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2011 Location: Toledo Ohio Oddometer: 55	Headlight bulb retainer fix Thought this might help others. If you have had to change a headlight bulb and were able to do it with out breaking those little plastic nubs off that keep the wire bulb retainer aligned, you were lucky. They break off very easy and then do not hold the bulb properly. the dealers solution is to charge you $500. for a new headlamp assembly so there is a chance it will break again. The easy fix is cheap and permanent. Go to your local hardware store and buy a piece of aluminum step flashing which should cost about 25 cents or just cut a piece out of your local favorite brew can after appropriate draining. Cut a piece out about an inch long and just wide enough to fit in between the bulb retainer clip. Bend it in half and then punch or drill a hole through it for the screw. Here is a pic of what your looking for And a pic of it installed. Makes hooking and unhooking those clips an easy one handed operation. Doug __________________ 2012 1200GSA 2007 JK Wrangler with diy hemi install GS GSA Oil Cooler guards http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=860275 dsy screwed with this post 01-25-2013 at 12:20 PM Reason: included def's suggestion

01-25-2013, 01:22 PM	#6
ignatz72 call me iggy Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Mid-South, M-town Oddometer: 600	Rolling Rock, duh. __________________ Current: 93 R100GS, 04 XR650L Prior: 73 CB350, 77 R100/7, 83 R100RT I love every motorcycle I've owned and even some that I haven't.

01-25-2013, 02:14 PM	#7
LaurelPerryOnLand Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 2,416	If you're short on beer cans...(oh dread) ...these are 65 cents for 6! Should be able to get something similar at HD and Lowe's! Just get rid of the triangle steel wire and insert the clip! They're called picture hangers! I found 'em here: http://www.govart.com

01-26-2013, 06:02 AM	#15
TomDac Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Hayward, CA Oddometer: 263	Beer in a can???? Fail __________________ Hayward, CA 2006 R1200GSA - aka "Gretel" http://www.flyv65.com

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01-25-2013, 12:10 PM	#2
def I have little to say Joined: Feb 2004 Location: The woods and mountains of Alabama Oddometer: 6,312	Could we use a beer can (an empty one, of course) instead?

01-25-2013, 12:47 PM	#4
def I have little to say Joined: Feb 2004 Location: The woods and mountains of Alabama Oddometer: 6,312	Hmmmmm......I don't recall any green beer cans only ginger ale.......anybody?

01-25-2013, 04:40 PM	#8
WindSailor Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Somewhere out West Oddometer: 329	Thanks 'dsy' and Robert. Next time my headlight assembly comes off - this will be the next addition. Yep already broke those tabs off and have a washer on it, but I like this idea a whole lot better. A buddy of mine had a headlight go out on his bike - pulled over - had the side stand down - and was really getting into it concentration and all and &^$#!&^* - and the biked tipped over. Luckily he got his hand out before it hit the ground. This will help in those moments. Green cans? Isn't that the 2% meant for the 'Geriatric' crowd like def? Nope - sorry - that was Ginger Ale... my bad. He had it right.

01-25-2013, 06:54 PM	#11
EJ_92606 Rider Joined: Aug 2007 Oddometer: 1,393	Nice solution...I just grabbed a washer for the screw and it has worked, but I must say yours is more elegant.