K11 Owners Group

drikko · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Headlight bulb

So I bought some of the Phillips Extreme H4 bulbs, fitted them to my tin top first and they made an enormous difference!! So I got another one for the K11, but when I went to put it in last night, do you think I could get the stupid connector off the back of the bulb!! Is there some sort of locking mechanism on the connector? Damned if I could shift it! Please tell me I don't have to pull the faring apart to replace the headlight bulb.... Shocked

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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject:

There's nothing special about it. It slides on and off. But it's been on there and exposed to the elements for quite a few years. You might try spraying some WD-40 or whatever in there.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
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14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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Saltcreek · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject:

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

Should indeed just pull off, try wiggling. Must be kin tight. Once off, there is a rubber seal which has a tab to help one remove & replace (a bitch to align with the lamp connectors in the dark) To remove lamp, one squeezes together the ends of a wire spring clip (captive at other end) & swing away.
I have done this by feel in a dark pub car park, but only after having done same in a lit garage the first time.
No locking mechanism & no fairing removal, but 9" long double jointed fingers would help. IMHO easiest access is from throttle side, but then I'm left handed.
HTH
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Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:58 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject:

While you are there you might notice that these are not the most robust looking wires and connections. When I carefully pulled the plug off the bulb the brown ground wire broke off way too easily.

Fortunately I was doing this in order to install the Eastern Beaver headlight relay. I ended up eliminating the BMW plug (and unfortunately its E.B. mate) and wired the new relays directly.

Once you do get the plug off your bulb, you might want to carefully inspect the individual spade sockets and the wires leading to them.
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
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Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

What he said.

Adding relayss and beefing up the wiring adds something around a whole volt getting to the headlight and will make your new bulb just that much better.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

drikko · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:

Yes I will be adding relays eventually, in the meantime I'll keep persevering with the 9" long double jointed fingers.

I used to have a 6 volt VW beetle, if you did the 6V Halogen headlight upgrade to it and didn't add relays, the light switch actually acted like a very effective fuse but not instant, it smokes for a while then bursts into flame!

But then the currents were twice as high in a 6V system!

Thanks for that.
.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject:

It's the same wattage ie 55/60 so no panic on that.

Thanks.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde