Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
- canoodle
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:18 pm
- Location: Vancouver,BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2000 Honda Valkyrie GL1500 Interstate
Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Bulbs are out on the right side trunk lights. Looked for how to change the bulbs in the DIY section but don't find anything. Just looking to replace with
incandescents-no fancy LED's or anything- anyone able to explain in a simple step by step guide ?
The interior trunk bulb is also out ( at least I'm assuming it's a light of some kind) popped off the small plastic covering, to uncover almost a "fuse like" goodie- is this indeed an interior light and what bulb is it exactly ?
Many thanks guys.
incandescents-no fancy LED's or anything- anyone able to explain in a simple step by step guide ?
The interior trunk bulb is also out ( at least I'm assuming it's a light of some kind) popped off the small plastic covering, to uncover almost a "fuse like" goodie- is this indeed an interior light and what bulb is it exactly ?
Many thanks guys.
- Happytrails
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:13 pm
- Location: PA USA
- Motorcycle: 1991 Goldwing 1500 SE
2018 Ural Gearup
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
There are 4 screws to remove the trunk bottom. It swings down and you can pull it back and away from the bike. Just be careful its a little fiddly removing and installing. Just take your time. 2 bolts hold each side reflector on. Inside the trunk you will see them. When I replaced mine I had to buy the harness and the optional harness to make them alternate with the turn signals. Removed those little rubber plugs to put the bulbs in. Putting it back together I had to just work the new wiring back into place as I went to reinstall the trunk bottom. It clicks into place and then put the screws back in.
1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
- bellboy40
- Posts: 988
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
To get to the bulbs on the side of the trunk, follow the 1st five steps in the procedure in this link. It shows how to get the bottom cover from the trunk. Then you will be able to remove the nuts on the inside of the trunk to take off those light panels to replace the bulbs. Your problem may be that the connector for those lights has come loose if all the lights are out. You can follow the wires from the bulbs back to that connector to check it.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30309
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30309
- canoodle
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:18 pm
- Location: Vancouver,BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2000 Honda Valkyrie GL1500 Interstate
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Thanks guys-the instrucs/pics will definitely help-will give it a bash tomorrow and report back.
cheers
cheers
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Help! I’m either blind, or I just haven’t stumbled across it yet. What is the part number for these bulbs? I can’t see them on any parts fiche I’ve looked at. Thanks!
- bellboy40
- Posts: 988
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
What motorcycle are you working on? This thread is for a GL1500. Your avatar is showing a GL1200.
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Yes, just updated the avatar. It’s a ‘95 SE.
- bellboy40
- Posts: 988
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Do you already have lights in the trunk sides? If not, you can add them with these from Cyclemax.
https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ht_kit/313
If you already have them, I think these are the ones to replace burned out bulbs.
https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ulbs/45581
If in doubt about the bulbs, you could contact Cyclemax and ask them. They are very knowledgeable about these things are are super nice folks to deal with.
info@cyclemax.com
330-225-1169
https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ht_kit/313
If you already have them, I think these are the ones to replace burned out bulbs.
https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ulbs/45581
If in doubt about the bulbs, you could contact Cyclemax and ask them. They are very knowledgeable about these things are are super nice folks to deal with.
info@cyclemax.com
330-225-1169
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Thanks, I do already have the lights, just noticed one burnt out this morning. I had seen that set on Cyclemax, just wasn’t sure from the picture if they were small enough to be the right ones. For $8 more, I’m tempted to just replace wires and all to have everything fresh, LOL!
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
The reason you aren't seeing them in the parts fiche is because they are aftermarket. The bike came from the factory with just a reflector there, not lights.
There was an early version of the GL1500 that came with EL panels in there that lit up, and were driven by a high-voltage power supply that mounted below the bag at the rear, but those EL panels did not last long, and they've all long since died.
There was an early version of the GL1500 that came with EL panels in there that lit up, and were driven by a high-voltage power supply that mounted below the bag at the rear, but those EL panels did not last long, and they've all long since died.
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Great info, I figured as much. There are two aftermarket kits, one from Add-On and the one from Cyclemax, the ShowChrome. Obviously I don’t know which one the P.O. installed, are there any differences in bulb sizes?
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
My '97 has same wedge based small bulbs, easy fix as they say.
Lights on with running lights, but go "off" with that side's signal light.
Lights on with running lights, but go "off" with that side's signal light.
Last edited by CrystalPistol on Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Thank you. I’ll pull a bulb and see what I can find out.
- Happytrails
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:13 pm
- Location: PA USA
- Motorcycle: 1991 Goldwing 1500 SE
2018 Ural Gearup
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Pretty sure I bought my small wedge bulbs from superbrightleds and they weren't that expensive. 

1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Great, I’ve done business with them before. I just gotta nail down the bulb type/size. I’m a big LED fan.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3805
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
191K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
28K Miles - Contact:
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
I'm a big fan of LEDs too. Here is a pic of my GL1500 with LED strip lights in the reflectors.
The reflectors come apart pretty easily if you just warm them up in an oven. About 200 degrees for about 5 minutes. They are held together with hot glue.MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- paid4vr
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:33 pm
- Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1995 GL 1500 SE
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Looks good! I found out the number for the bulbs, they’re a 74. I ordered a pack of 6 from Amazon, plug and play.
WLJH 6 Pack Super Bright 3030-3SMD T5 Canbus Error Free Red Instrument Cluster Panel Dash Light,Plug and Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0798QV4DB/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... aDbAXG4EYH
I’m ordering two more sets to replace the lights in the saddlebags. They look washed out now compared to the nice red color of the trunk LEDs.
WLJH 6 Pack Super Bright 3030-3SMD T5 Canbus Error Free Red Instrument Cluster Panel Dash Light,Plug and Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0798QV4DB/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... aDbAXG4EYH
I’m ordering two more sets to replace the lights in the saddlebags. They look washed out now compared to the nice red color of the trunk LEDs.
- bellboy40
- Posts: 988
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Can you post a picture of how your lights look installed? We love pictures!
- in2it
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:09 am
- Location: Waldo,Arkansas
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL 1500 Aspencade
1982 GL1100 (SOLD)
1980 GL1100 Bobber with Vance and Hines Mufflers (SOLD)
Past Rides in my youth
1965 Honda C102 50cc OHV Engine with 3spd Auto-Clutch
1972 CB 350
1975 CB 550 4 with Dunstall headers and mufflers
1978 GL 1000
Re: Replacing bulbs in trunk side lights
Today i just installed led light in the trunk fixtures using blubs i bought from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GC ... UTF8&psc=1 .. theses blubs fit tight in my 2000 GL ... and cost less than 10.00 dollars ... and they looked good... know this is a old thread... but was giving my 2 cents worth...