How to Change Headlight on a Sunny Scooter

by Michael J. Ranck
Copyright © February 11, 2011

Lately everyone has been in on the scooter scene. Gas prices are rising and people are concerned for the environmental impact of the rising use of fossil fuels. And lets face it, riding a scooter just makes you look cool. So many have done as I have done and foolishly rushed out and bought a scooter without investigating the reputation of the product. Which of course means a Chinese made Sunny Scooter since they are the least expensive and generally come up near the top of a Google search.

Due to this lack of foresight my new scooter has been wrought with problems including a short lived headlight. After getting tiffed and wishing that I'd paid the extra money for a Honda or a Vespa, I accepted my losses and determined to change the headlight that had burned out after only a month's time. Since the experience was frustrating and expensive, I have elected to write this short blog entry to save you, my dear reader, the pain that I have endured.

After your scooter bulb goes out you will first try Walmart and then the local auto-parts store and find that they do not stock bulbs for your scooter and the clerk has no idea which bulbs Sunny Scooters require nor how to change them. Following this you will remember that Google "knows everything" and type in the search string, "Sunny Scooter Headlight" which is how you arrived at my blog, so welcome. Your reward will be this link () to a place where you can purchase the bulb for, "gulp", $15. And since you now have the benefit of the instructions which are present no where in the owners manual, at the local auto-parts stores, or even anywhere on the Internet (until now), you will rest easy and smile. You will even heed the words of Douglas Adams, “Don't Panic”, while you follow my simple instructions and get your scooter back on the road so that you can keep looking cool and impressing all the girls.

1. To begin order the headlamp from the link that I provided above and it is better to order two headlights because you will have to wait a week or longer before it comes in the mail.

2. Remove one of the headlights from the miles of bubble wrap which have protected your $15 prize and brought it safely home to daddy.

3. You will immediately notice that the headlight is entirely the wrong shape but you will heed the words of Douglas Adams, "Don't Panic". Trust me and all will be apparent. Take a deep breath because it is ok.

4. Unscrew the two mirrors from the top of the scooter's dashboard. If you have previously managed to install the windshield correctly then this will also remove the windshield.

5. Pop out the two plastic caps that plug the holes on top of the dashboard that exist for seemingly no purpose.

6. Obtain a Philips head screwdriver from your faithful companion who hands you such things and prevents you from losing your mind.

7. Use the Philips head screwdriver to loosen the screws on the dashboard. There are two.

8. Pay no attention to the screw on the front of the scooter that is beneath the headlight. It is a trap designed to cost you time and energy. Actually, it is designed to adjust the beam direction of your headlight but has nothing whatsoever to do with changing the headlight.

9. The next part is a bit tricky simply because it requires patience more than brute He-man strength. If you lack this, as I often do, then you might once again call on that faithful companion and attempt this only after kissing her and listening to her lavish compliments upon you concerning how sexy you look when riding your scooter.

10. After you obtain the required patience then finagle the half containing the headlight so that it unsnaps from the top of the dashboard that contains the speedometer. Be very careful not to snap the plastic tabs that will hold it in place when you reassemble your scooter.

11. Now unplug the headlight.

12. Right at the place where the wires go into the back of the headlight you should press in and twist. "Wow! What's this? The bulb removes from the headlight lens assembly?" Yes! That is why the shape of the lens assembly does not matter.

13. Press in and twist at the same location on the brand new headlight to remove a perfectly good light bulb. Be careful since it is spring loaded that you do not loose the spring nor any of the pieces.

14. Insert the spring first and then the bulb into the headlight lens assembly that is already on the scooter. Press the socket in over top of the bulb and twist it so that it remains locked in position.

15. Plug the headlight wires back in. Thankfully the plug is keyed and therefore cannot be plugged together incorrectly (at least by post-neanderthal men).

16. At this time you must once again prepare yourself in whatever way seems best to you with patience for the next undertaking.

17. Now that you are armed with patience line the slots of the half containing the headlight up so that they fit into the plastic tabs of the half containing the speedometer. While holding it all in place line the bottom up with the screw holes and reinstall the screws into position.

18. Reattach the mirrors and the windshield (if applicable).

19. Push the two black stoppers back into position.

20. Call upon a pretty girl to sit on the back of your scooter and wrap her arms around you while you ride off into the sunset together. After the sun goes down you will be free to ride all night long secure in the knowledge that you once again have a working headlight.