Replacing License Plate bulb (without dismantling bike)

Maybe things have changed, or I'm not remembering it correctly, but I thought it was just 2 screws to remove the tail light cover, then a push and twist to remove the bulb from it's socket.

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On my F650GS the taillight does not have any screws. Fortunately, I have not had to change my taillight bulb yet. It looks like to access the bulb you might have to remove the seat and get to it from the back. Your best bet would be to read your owner's manual. It should tell you how to replace the bulb. I wouldn't think it would require a trip to the dealer to do otherwise there would not be any instructions on how to replace the bulb in the manual and it would just say to have your dealer perform the replacement.

Richard230 said:

On my F650GS the taillight does not have any screws. Fortunately, I have not had to change my taillight bulb yet. It looks like to access the bulb you might have to remove the seat and get to it from the back. Your best bet would be to read your owner's manual. It should tell you how to replace the bulb. I wouldn't think it would require a trip to the dealer to do otherwise there would not be any instructions on how to replace the bulb in the manual and it would just say to have your dealer perform the replacement.

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Apples and oranges. ST = incandescent bulb. GS = LED module. The latter will probably need changing.

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Hello all. It's the number plate bulb I'm looking to change and not the tail/stop light - which is fortunate as it is just a case of 2 screws.

I have bought a led canbus replacement bulb for that job which should be OK, but only today realised that the MOT law has been changed so that you can't replace H7 halogen headlight bulbs for LED's - which was my next job. Grrr

pezos said:

Hello all. It's the number plate bulb I'm looking to change and not the tail/stop light - which is fortunate as it is just a case of 2 screws.
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The rear number plate is illuminated by the tail light. There's a clear section on the underside of the rear lens to allow for this. The plate must be illuminated or it will fail an MOT and possibly get you pulled over.

Remove the two screws to confirm the above.

I've never owned a motorcycle with a separate bulb to illuminate the rear number plate. Cars however normally have separate bulbs for this purpose.



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pezos said:

Hello all. It's the number plate bulb I'm looking to change and not the tail/stop light - which is fortunate as it is just a case of 2 screws.

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+ 1 for the number plate light being illuminated by the stop/tail light bulb.

pezos said:

I have bought a led canbus replacement bulb for that job which should be OK, but only today realised that the MOT law has been changed so that you can't replace H7 halogen headlight bulbs for LED's - which was my next job. Grrr

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The rules have been changed again. Motorbikes (and older cars) can use LED or HID in a halogen headlight if the MOT tester is happy with the beam pattern. We have had at least one member who has failed an MOT due to the beam pattern of his HID conversion but not because it was a conversion.

MGD109 said:

+ 1 for the number plate light being illuminated by the stop/tail light bulb.



The rules have been changed again. Motorbikes (and older cars) can use LED or HID in a halogen headlight if the MOT tester is happy with the beam pattern. We have had at least one member who has failed an MOT due to the beam pattern of his HID conversion but not because it was a conversion.

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I think they've been changed again........This from a Dec 2022 newspaper artice:

Will a car with aftermarket LED headlight bulbs fail an MOT?
Yes. In 2021, the MOT inspection manual was updated to include the wording:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”

Thanks for all of your replies regarding the number plate light. Looking at the parts list does indeed show only one bulb. I'm sure I read somewhere that was another... must be going mad!

Welcome to the club! I look forward to seeing you at the meetings (if I remember).

Yes it's a twin filament tail/stop bulb.

I've never used a LED rear bulb myself although I'm sure that others have. My main reason for not doing so being my concern for how visible my tail light would be to other road users not directly behind me. i.e. Has the road user behind but at say 45 to 90 degrees to me, good visibility of my rear light?

As far as the headlamp conversion is concerned, the question seems to come up often. If in doubt ask your local MOT tester before converting might be a move worth considering as I thought the same as MGD109

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pezos said:

I think they've been changed again........This from a Dec 2022 newspaper artice:

Will a car with aftermarket LED headlight bulbs fail an MOT?
Yes. In 2021, the MOT inspection manual was updated to include the wording:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”

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It was quickly reverted for all motorcycles and cars registered before April 1986. Government notice to MOT testers below

MOT special notice 01-21: headlamp conversions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I really feel sorry for all those having to pass a MOT. Here in NJ USA Motorcycles do not have any inspections! We used to have to be inspected yearly but that requirement has been slowly reduced over the years to save the state money as the state paid for the inspection. Now we have no inspection.

MGD109 said:

It was quickly reverted for all motorcycles and cars registered before April 1986. Government notice to MOT testers below

MOT special notice 01-21: headlamp conversions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Hi MGD109 and thanks for taking the time to repost to clarify the situation regarding bikes specifically, I really appreciate it. In fact my new bulbs arrived today and I only just opened them having read your post otherwise thinking I would have to return them.

For those interested they look beautifully made, are supposedly canbus error free, and the filament is in the same place as a regular H7 bulb. They are the latest generation Q16 bulbs from Auxito and they come with a 5 year warranty. About £30 for the pair. I'll stick 'em in tomorrow now I know they are not an automatic MOT fail.

Thanks again for all help......

pezos said:

.....................are supposedly canbus error free.......

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They should be no issues with lamp errors you can under load the headlamp without issue it's over load or no load that causes an alarm.

Please let us know how you get on when it's MOT time, it would be useful to know which LED bulbs pass and which the tester is unhappy with.

MGD109 said:

They should be no issues with lamp errors you can under load the headlamp without issue it's over load or no load that causes an alarm.

Please let us know how you get on when it's MOT time, it would be useful to know which LED bulbs pass and which the tester is unhappy with.

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Will do..... I've also got an led replacement for the stop/tail AND license plate (now I know its the same bulb) and the front parking light. The bike already has led indicators so I'm hoping that will be me on bulbs for a while.

Turning to my manual, it turns out its the GS that has the separate number plate light and lots of plastic has to come off to get at it. I knew I'd read it somewhere!