Rear bulb holders

[Mal]

Hello all my smashed leg is managable after seven months....at last able to ride the 1400 without too much trouble.
As lockdown has eased I had a ride out yesterday and found that one of the rear side lights is out. I don't know whether my arthritic hands are to blame or just old age and stupidity but I cannot get the bulb holders out the light unit! Any clues?  It would be a shame to smash the light to bits.( I have a very short temper.)

Regards Mal

[gsxbarmy]

They can be rather tight, but they should just twist out. I must admit though with the gubbins around the tool kit holder etc at the back of the bike they can be a real sod to get to and twist. You may have to slacken off the tailpiece unit and slide it back a little if you don't have small fingers/hands to get to the holders (its why in the end I fitted an LED rear light unit to mine as they are sealed units and the LED bulbs last a lot longer)

[Notty]

it will be the arthritic hands - I had to call a washing machine engineer yesterday out to fit new drum seal as my thumbs refused to work properly despite having changed many over the years 

[Big Phil]

Hi, Had the exact same problem Mal. Couldn't shift at all and Was getting really pissed of with it. Then I had a brain wave! You shift a seized not with heat! Got a hair dryer and heated the bulb holder at full blast for a minute or so. Then using a rag to avoid burning my hands it turned like magic and came out🤗

[grog]

Phil, great idea. 👍

[GSXKING]

I use long nose needle pliers on mine  I seem to go through a few bulbs. 

In is clockwise and out is anticlockwise for quick reference also.

[Mal]

Thanks for the clues chaps. I will try each and see how we go. I am fitting some good quality LED type bulbs so should only need to do the job once!

Thanks again Mal

[Big Phil]

That's exactly what I fitted LED bulbs as they are brighter than standard ones and I didn't want to lose the original look fitting a completely new rear light. Standard bulbs can however continue to work for years and sometimes decades. I changed mine earlier this year and there is a very good possibility it was the first time since the bike was built in 2001 they had ever been changed. Not surprising then that the plastic components stick hard together like super glue. I did try long nose pliers but it felt like the plastic holder would break before it would turn. Once heat was applied the holder started moving right away. It did take a few goes with the hair dryer to get it to turn completely out. Maybe heat and long nose pliers would be the very best solution🧐

[Mick_J]

All my bulbs are original, bike is 13 years old.

[grog]

mjgt, mine same except headlight globe. I did fit led into park in headlight, lasted 3 weeks. Put original back in.

[Mal]

I followed all the suggestions and managed the job!

Cheers all.