I noticed that my headlamp was out on the motorcycle as I rode home last week. Today's the first day I had to check it out.

Technically, I had more time than just today, but today was the first time since I rode it home last week that it hasn't rained. I spent a few minutes with the bike before I took off (yes, with a headlamp out) for work.

Looking into the glass of the lamp one can see the lamp elements seem to be intact. This is inconclusive, however, as headlamp damage could be elsewhere. Seeing an element broken would have certainly ruled the lamp in as a cause of failure. Neither the "normal" nor "hi-beam" worked, so the elements are likely not to blame.

I poked around behind the lamp and under the seat looking at connections. Nothing seemed any more loose than normal. Feeling along the lamp's wiring didn't reveal any breaks that one could detect by touch in either the wiring or rubber sleeve.

I had a brief moment of joy when I noticed one of the 10-amp fuses had blown. I tried swapping it with others, but the lamp didn't turn on. I hoped that the lamp used more than one fuse, and that by removing one of the others (there are three), I upset the delicate balance of electrical paths necessary to run the bike.

I set off, as mentioned without the lamp on, and stopped at the auto parts store between home and work. I bought a small pack of 10-amp fuses, and replaced the blown fuse. Still no lamp.

It's supposed to be nice enough to ride for the next couple of days (cold, but clear), so I've got to get this thing fixed. Tonight I'll probably wrestle with removing and replacing the lamp. Where to get a replacement, though, for a 26-year old bike?

And even more importantly: can I replace it with a nice halogen lamp?