Several posts regarding the subject over the years, but I just replaced a burnt-out lamp on my '03 ST.
I've seen where posts have described taking the front (and side, and lower) fairings off to gain access, and I was dreading going through that drill, yet again.
I've still not been swayed to converting the H4/9003 'conventional' bulb for a different technology. So, I bought a pair of "Sylvania 9003 SilverStar ULTRA Headlight, Contains 2 Bulbs" from Walmart for $30. Note that $30 is the Walmart.com price; the store price is $44.96. I was told later that the cashier is supposed to match the lower price if the store has the '.com' item in stock. I ended up ordering the item, and then stopping by the store on my way home.
Anyway, the one I replaced is the left side unit. The Low beam filament went a couple of days ago, and the High beam went out two days later.
I discovered I could reach into the front fairing with my left hand when I put the steering hard over to the right. The plug pulls straight out. Then, pull the rubber insulating/sealing ring off of the headlight surround. Note there is a "Top" label on it. Now the fun bit. At the 3 o'clock position on the bulb's base you will see a wire loop. Press that, and while pressing it, rotate it upward to clear the hook. It will then hinge away from the bulb, and the bulb is easily pulled from the headlight housing.
Look on YouTube for "H4 bulb replacement". There are several short videos that show similar arrangements, although they are all on cars.
Installation is the reverse procedure. DO NOT touch the bulb with fingers. Any surface contamination can drastically shorten the life of the bulb. I applied contact grease to the three terminals before I inserted the bulb into the housing. Make sure the rubber seal ring is completely seated all around the bulb.
I did the replacement at night in my garage, and the bike was pointed at the back of the roll-up door, which is white. I was interested to see what the 'high-dollar' Sylvania bulb offered versus the 14-year old original bulb on the right side of the bike.
Turns out, the old bulb looks to be just as bright as the 'Silverstar Ultra', both in Low and High beam settings. The only difference I could see was that the new bulb was whiter/bluer than the old bulb. The patterns were, of course, similar, since the bulb is the same shape as the old one.
So, other than a smidgen of contact grease, no tools were required. Note that this is for the left side lamp. The right side looks to have a bit less room.
Hope this helps!
I've seen where posts have described taking the front (and side, and lower) fairings off to gain access, and I was dreading going through that drill, yet again.
I've still not been swayed to converting the H4/9003 'conventional' bulb for a different technology. So, I bought a pair of "Sylvania 9003 SilverStar ULTRA Headlight, Contains 2 Bulbs" from Walmart for $30. Note that $30 is the Walmart.com price; the store price is $44.96. I was told later that the cashier is supposed to match the lower price if the store has the '.com' item in stock. I ended up ordering the item, and then stopping by the store on my way home.
Anyway, the one I replaced is the left side unit. The Low beam filament went a couple of days ago, and the High beam went out two days later.
I discovered I could reach into the front fairing with my left hand when I put the steering hard over to the right. The plug pulls straight out. Then, pull the rubber insulating/sealing ring off of the headlight surround. Note there is a "Top" label on it. Now the fun bit. At the 3 o'clock position on the bulb's base you will see a wire loop. Press that, and while pressing it, rotate it upward to clear the hook. It will then hinge away from the bulb, and the bulb is easily pulled from the headlight housing.
Look on YouTube for "H4 bulb replacement". There are several short videos that show similar arrangements, although they are all on cars.
Installation is the reverse procedure. DO NOT touch the bulb with fingers. Any surface contamination can drastically shorten the life of the bulb. I applied contact grease to the three terminals before I inserted the bulb into the housing. Make sure the rubber seal ring is completely seated all around the bulb.
I did the replacement at night in my garage, and the bike was pointed at the back of the roll-up door, which is white. I was interested to see what the 'high-dollar' Sylvania bulb offered versus the 14-year old original bulb on the right side of the bike.
Turns out, the old bulb looks to be just as bright as the 'Silverstar Ultra', both in Low and High beam settings. The only difference I could see was that the new bulb was whiter/bluer than the old bulb. The patterns were, of course, similar, since the bulb is the same shape as the old one.
So, other than a smidgen of contact grease, no tools were required. Note that this is for the left side lamp. The right side looks to have a bit less room.
Hope this helps!