After some searching i can not seem to find any info on the difference in headlight replacement from the bulb (99-02) and the assemblies 04-12. When i go to pick one out online i look at brightness and specs for install and all seems like they are pretty universal. Altho, even on Youtube i cant find if the assemblies and those that the bulb goes in are the similar/compatible. I can only find videos for 05 or newer replacement. So i am wondering if 02 and older required bulbs that slipped in the housing and mount differently. But i dont want to buy what i think i want and get it apart to find out that i cant upgrade... or need some odd bulb. I would like to have all my parts in hand before i take it all apart. Also, i do like the assemblies that are upgrading to a quicker r2 process. If the assemblies are available id be willing to upgrade mine to that if possible.
Has anyone done this before?
Do the newer assemblies work/fit in the 02 head light setup?

 

Pretty sure I have the dual RG light assembly at home from one of my older Tv's. Let me know if you are interested. But were it me I would get a much brighter light. That's why I think I have the lights.

 

Thank you.... but that does not answer my question. Yes. i am looking to buy as bright as a light as i can get. Brand new.

 

you can switch your headlight assembly out for the 2010 and newer and make it much easier on you in the future. having to remove your fairing just to change a bulb seems like a lot work. the outer fairing is the same part number from 98 until 14 with the introduction of the rushmores. you would want to get the headlight housings as well as they are designed to be out in the elements and not behind that plastic cover.

with all the people changing to daymaker type lights, there are a lot of take offs out there.

and you can also go with the china daymakers that are reasonably priced. you might still have to find a mounting plate for them, but even new, they aren't horribly expensive.

 

Why not contact your local dealer ? They would be able to tell you right away...b.

 

Come on now, then why have a forum?

LOL

 

I have an '05. Removed the Plastic cover and put the trim from Post#4 Part #31 on it. Still believe you have to pull the fairing either way. I used the FuelMotto LED bulbs in mine and couldn't be happier. For a $120+/- done. I also have a '13 with daymakers, which are better, but the LEDs are definitely a good bet.

 

if you switch out part #17 from my post above, then you don't have to remove the fairing to change the bulbs. the bulb housings mount on the outside of this part, as opposed to the inner on the older models.

there are 2 bezels (part 31) available. one is gloss black and runs $40 something. the other is 'flat' like the inner fairing and runs $12.

 

When I bought my 2001 years ago, I hated the 'bubble', so I bought a 'mean mug' and swapped the backing plate to the new style so I could change bulbs without removing the fairing. This was handy, because I tried every damn bulb I could to make the lights better than two candles blowing in the breeze. In the end, I bought a knock off daymaker on Ebay - wow. No excuse for waiting as long as I did. Truthfully after seeing how good it is, I should have ponied up for the Harley version when they first came out so i would not have rode so many years without it.

I would recommend spending the 150 or so on a complete replacement light.

 

I know that the 2009 down is replaceable all the way to 1998. the difference is the adjustment screws on the 2004 up are longer. You can simply swap out the screws on your current headlamp assembly and place them in the 2004 up assembly. I am running Daymakers on mine.