Just had my 2003 in for its annual MOT (Mandatory Roadworthy Check - for those over the pond) and it failed due to blown numberpalte light bulb. A hunt at local suppliers turned up a suitable replacement costing £7.30!!! ($14.00 to TOTP) Checked with the beemer dealer and they quoted a similar amount!! These bulbs are obviously made of gold and should be re-cycled and never thown away!
Then rode to the dealer about 35 miles away to by a set of brake pads and found that the price had come down from about £140 ($280) to £105. The sales guy said that there had been a part number change. When I looked at the front pads I noticed that there is a big chamfer on both the leading and trailing edge of the pad leaving just a fairly small surface area for the pad to meet the disc. Has anyone else noticed this? and can it be explained other than just ensuring that the pads wear quicker?? (Cynic that I am!). Rear pads were the same as the old.
The edge may be there to reduce the squeeling many have suffered w/ in the past. Both my Rockster and K1200R had the dreaded squeeling brakes. When I had the issues, people always told me to grind off the leading edge a little.
Croc,
My numberplate light went and I stuck a small normal 5w replacement bulb in instead of the 'solid gold' halogen. Works fine, bit dim but it'll pass the MOT. 60p....
Also Carbon Lorraine racing pads works great, £12.99 a pair.
OEM pads from Motorworks £22 a pair for fronts.
big papa wrote:The edge may be there to reduce the squeeling many have suffered w/ in the past. Both my Rockster and K1200R had the dreaded squeeling brakes. When I had the issues, people always told me to grind off the leading edge a little.
And they squeal and squeal and squeal.
Both my 02 R1150R and K1200LT did/do it. Very annoying. At least with the LT I turn the music up loud.
RIDE TOO PRETEND, PRETEND TOO RIDE.
89 Oldwing, 07 WR250R, 14 KX250F
chris wrote:Croc,
My numberplate light went and I stuck a small normal 5w replacement bulb in instead of the 'solid gold' halogen. Works fine, bit dim but it'll pass the MOT. 60p....
Also Carbon Lorraine racing pads works great, £12.99 a pair.
OEM pads from Motorworks £22 a pair for fronts.
I have not replaced the front pads on my `03 as they seem to last forever, but the rear pads have been replaced twice with EBC organics. About $30 US a pair. I expect the fronts would be priced the same. I avoid the dealer if possible on parts because their pricing is unreasonable. We've had the discussion regarding BMW oil and filters here recently. Many owners use quallity aftermarket parts because of cost or availability. Over here BMW dealers are pretty far apart in some areas.
Where I live there's no MOT check. I think they use what they call "random" inspection. Meaning they might pull you over for something else and decide to write up your license plate light.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
Croc wrote:Just had my 2003 in for its annual MOT (Mandatory Roadworthy Check - for those over the pond) and it failed due to blown numberpalte light bulb. A hunt at local suppliers turned up a suitable replacement costing £7.30!!! ($14.00 to TOTP) Checked with the beemer dealer and they quoted a similar amount!! These bulbs are obviously made of gold and should be re-cycled and never thown away! Croc
Speaking of the licence plate bulb.....I was warming the bike up at work the other night and remembering this post decided to do a short preflight of the lights. ACK ! The licence plate light is out ! Could have been out for years I guess. Does anybody have an auto store part number for this bulb ? I don't really want to pay $14 for it.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
Why does it have halogen bulb fitted??? its not as if it needs such a vast amount of light is it??
My old Honda made use of the fact that the side/driving light will emit enough light to illuminate the 'plate and so made a clear 'window' in the underside of the rear lamp..job done. No fancy moulding on the rear fender,less wiring and 1 less bulb..simple
Coincidence strikes.
My bike was in for a major service, new tyres and MOT two days ago. Loadsamoney.
Was told the rear number plate bulb had gone and they could not get the replacement. They said a temporary but wrong replacement had been inserted- funny I thought. Had a quick look before I set off and all seemed well.
Sitting in traffic on the way home I noticed a strange rubbery odour but put it down to industrial pollution. It's like that oop north.
In my garage I noticed a melted & sagging lens. Dismantling the well-browned unit , the rubber gaiter had two holes burned in it . A 12V 21W bulb (with off set pins) had been installed rather than the 6W specified in the owners handbook.
The wiring and surrounding plastics seem OK.
Contacted the dealer and they are posting me replacement parts. They wanted the bike back but I'd already taken too much time off work for the process. I'll check the bulb they supply - a halogen bulb seems ridiculous for the purpose.
Most of the boxer service spares can be bought aftermarket at significantly reduced prices. Mind you, I'm ambivalent as to one's decision as that is a matter of personal choice.
I mean, oil filters, sparking plugs, brake pads, bulbs, batteries and even rotors......
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
This is the bulb that's almost been illuminating my plate for the last year
Got it from a local car parts place for 60p. Might not be as bright as the halogen but it passed the MOT.
This is the bulb that's almost been illuminating my plate for the last year
If mine goes again this will be good enough for me. I couldn't give a fat rat's ar*e if no one can read my plate at night. If I had my way I wouldn't have a plate anyway. It is one part of the bike that I never bother to wash anyway - as far as I am concerned it belongs to the government so if they want to come down and wash it - great!
Airman wrote:Speaking of the licence plate bulb.....I was warming the bike up at work the other night and remembering this post decided to do a short preflight of the lights. ACK ! The licence plate light is out ! Could have been out for years I guess. Does anybody have an auto store part number for this bulb ? I don't really want to pay $14 for it.
I am with croc on this -- why do you want to replace it unless the government requires it? There is no safety value in it.
I dont know what your plates are like over the pond but here in the UK they have to be made of a reflective material so it is not the small bulb that shows them up at night it is the lights of the vehicle behind. I fail to see the need......
Airman wrote:Speaking of the licence plate bulb.....I was warming the bike up at work the other night and remembering this post decided to do a short preflight of the lights. ACK ! The licence plate light is out ! Could have been out for years I guess. Does anybody have an auto store part number for this bulb ? I don't really want to pay $14 for it.
I am with croc on this -- why do you want to replace it unless the government requires it? There is no safety value in it.
Because that light being out gives the LEO an excuse to run me down when he doesn't have any other good reason. Could net at least a hassle ticket for the light being out. In WA they do what you call "random" inspections, meaning he could do a safety inspection on the spot and write up anything he thought was out of order. Like running the CAT with no silencer, or something of the sort. I would pay a bit to avoid the roadside chat. If these are indeed H6W's this place might have them.
Checked with the beemer dealer and they quoted a similar amount!! These bulbs are obviously made of gold and should be re-cycled and never thown away! 
