Had a spot of bother on the way to Brno: both of my red led taillights blew. Noticed this, or more correctly had this pointed out to me by a mate, late one afternoon in Northern Italy. Bugger.
The only spare I have is a normal clear bulb and it’s too late to go shopping today. So the (one) spare was installed and we continued to our destination for the night, in Austria. Our hotel provided a free internet booth in reception, so a quick Google revealed that the Innsbruck branch of Hein Gericke was about 100 yards away. Result.
Outside HG at 9:30 next morning; no sign of life… and none in the bike repair shop over the road. Actually, no sign of life anywhere nearby. It’s not Sunday, is it? No, it’s Tuesday, but a friendly local appears and explains that it is a Public Holiday and everything will be closed. Bugger.
Tried a filling station for bulbs but no luck (and tried the local H-D dealer but he’s closed as well). So on the road still with one clear bulb. Feeling a bit conspicuous.
Stopped for lunch in Salzburg, got “locationally-challenged” on the outskirts and stopped to check the map. Looked across the car-park to see the new Salzburg branch of Hein Gericke… but it’s still Austria and it’s still a Public Holiday, so it’s closed.
While wandering around the little village we stayed in that night I spotted a little scooter shop. This could be worth a try. Next morning I’m round there at 9:00 waving a dead led lamp at them and practicing my best German;
“Haben sie anything like this???”
… puzzled looks…
“Stop and Tail”
… shaking heads. After a bit of (barely coherent) conversation I understand that they have nothing like the led but might have a normal bulb.
“Normal is good, ja” says I, and a normal stop and tail bulb is produced.
Sold to the fool with the appalling language skills.
Next stop… the cosmetics shop (with the worst fluorescent pink décor imaginable) and a bottle of their finest/cheapest red nail varnish.
…Red taillights again, yahoo.
OK, they’re a bit pink but it works.
