I/S headlight bulb replacement

Help please.  I have a headlight bulb out on my Interstate and don't know how to get to it to replace it.  I know there has to be something that I am overlooking to simply replace a bulb.  Also, I would like to switch to a H4 bulb and I remember from a previous post that I will need a shim or adaptor.  Am I recalling correctly? I seem to be having a lot of "senior lapses" these days.  If so, where can I get the shim/adaptor.

Thanks for the help.
"Senior Patron"

Turn your handlebars to the left or right to get access to the headlight from behind.  There is a little wire cage that hold the bulb into the fixture.  The cage has a catch on one side and a hinge on the other.  

DO NOT UNSCREW ANYTHING! Pop the cage out of the catch. Pull the bulb out, discard.  

Do not touch the new bulb with your fingers.  Oils etc from your skin will get on the glass and significantly shorten bulb life.  You can hold the bulb with a piece of paper.  Beware of tissue treated with lotion - easy on the nose, tough on the bulb.

Plug the new bulb into the connector.  Put the bulb into the fixture.  Close the cage.  Check to see the light is working.

Peter

I use standard H4 bulbs. I cut mine to fit. The tabs at 4 and 8 o'clock are out of phase. I guess Honda wanted us to buy bulbs from them. I cut the 4 and 8 o'clock tabs off with my Dremel and put 'em in without a shim adapter. Some say they will not orient correctly, but I've never had a problem. I'm running some 65/55 watt blues I got on E-Bay. I like 'em and they are plenty bright.

I have posted a similar on different boards so here goes

Bulb selection.... Honda $$$$ or AutoZone, K-Mart, Walmart
H4 any style.

On the auto motive bulb cut the 4 o'clock and the 8 o'clock tabs off the metal ring with a pair of side cutters (dikes) wire cutters or what ever else you might call them.

un plub the wire to head lamp... if your first time you might have to wiggle the plug housing a little.

Remover the rubber boot... note tab on boot is down.

push the spring tap that hold the bulb in.  do not remove screw... lesson learned the hard way.  The spring will then rotate out of the way and the bulb will literally fall out.

wipe off the new bulb with alcohol  and note that the 12 o'clock tab is up.... insert the bulb do not touch the clear lens... look in the front of the headlamp to make sure the bulb is seated .

rotate the spring clip back and push down and lock it back in place

reinstall the rubber boot

put some dielectric grease on the prongs of the bulb.  it will make it easier to get the plug off the bulb next time. this grease is great for water proofing connections also.. available at any auto store, ACE etc.

plug in the wires.....

Go Ride......

Smilin' Jack