Blowing headlight bulbs

[Mully]

Morning all,

I've just noticed the RF has a blown headlight, specifically the low beam has gone kaput.

The bulb was replaced in about November last year. I was pretty careful not to touch the glass when I installed it.

The only electrical thing I've done to it was replace the front indicators with aftermarket LED ones, which I did in May last year after the bike had a lie-down.

Is this simply bad luck with the new bulb, or is there likely to be something that's made it blow? If so, what should I be checking out (and how should I check it out)?

TIA,
Mully.

[vifferman]

Make sure the contacts on the bulb connector are clean, free from corrosion, and that the connector fits on tightly. Check the wiring is all good. Give your electrical system a quick once-over with the multimeter, to make sure you're seeing the right volts to/from the battery. Fluctuating voltage is hard on bulbs.

[FJRider]

With The new headlight laws ... Do you ride with high or low beam on ... ???

[Mully]

With The new headlight laws ... Do you ride with high or low beam on ... ???

Low is always on, and that's what I normally use.

Since I was on the bike on my way to work this morning when I realised the bulb was dead, I finished my journey with high beam.

[FJRider]

Sometimes a jarring ... like a pot-hole/over a kerb can break the filament in a bulb ...

[CookMySock]

Since I was on the bike on my way to work this morning when I realised the bulb was dead, I finished my journey with high beam.

Did anyone complain about your "bright" headlight?

btw, check your battery voltage with the engine running after a 20min ish ride. Should be 13-15V.

Steve

[kwaka_crasher]

What brand was the bulb? You do get what you pay for in this case. Callibre suck. Hella & Phillips rock. Narva are ok.

Also, bulbs are rated at 13.2V. 5% over-voltage (13.9V) shortens life by 50%, generally speaking.

[F5 Dave]

my RF regulated at ~ 14.5 volts at the battery & dropped 1/2 a volt by the time it made it to the bulb.