Topic: 400f Replacement headlight bulb

[MotorFist]

So I am trying buy a stock replacement bulb for my wife's 77 400f. When I look it up on the part finders it always shows it coming as an assembly with the reflector. Only place i could find it was CMS and I'm not real keen ordering a headlight bulb from the UK. Is it not possible to just buy a damn bulb? The headlight/reflector isn't a sealed unit like on my 500. I took the bulb to autozone to see if I could match it up but not surprisingly, no dice.
I searched the forum for the answer but just found lots of guys wanting an upgrade to the headlight. We only ride during the day 99% of the time so a lighting upgrade isn't needed. 
Any help is much appreciated!

[bjbuchanan]

You have a pic of it?  If it isn't sealed beam it is most likely an H4 type headlight bulb, sometimes labeled for cars as 9003 or HB2

http://candlepowerinc.com/pdfs/H4_9003.pdf

Keep it smaller, something like a 35w if you can find it. Not much extra charge with those bikes

[MotorFist]

This puppy seems pretty old school to me since it doesn't have the 3 terminal connector. That's why I was thinking I need to go oem. What do you think BJ?

[MotorFist]

I failed to mention that the original speedo on this bike was km/h and not mph. I am thinking the UK 400f used the headlight she has. Maybe the Canadian bikes did too? I always assumed this was a Canadian bike since I couldn't see the point in bringing a 400f across the ocean. Not like they are scarce bikes

[bjbuchanan]

This puppy seems pretty old school to me since it doesn't have the 3 terminal connector. That's why I was thinking I need to go oem. What do you think BJ?

Never seen that sucker before, gotta be an older, now obscure swap out. Where are you located, in the US? Also check your headlight bucket diameter, the 400f has a slightly smaller bucket on it. It isn't the more common 7"

[MotorFist]

I took the reflector out and measured the diameter at 7". I remember when I refurbished the bike I tried to put a sealed halogen 7" light in it and it didn't fit because the bucket is quite shallow.   Here is a pic of the back of the reflector. Notice the vintage Honda Motor stamp on it.

[MotorFist]

Here is a top view of the bucket.

[bjbuchanan]

My best suggestion is to just replace the thing with a new h4 reflector and bulb setup. It''s too odd to have something in a store you can easily source, you would end up having to order it anyway.

The plus side is that you already have a 7" headlight retrofit

[grcamna2]

Try calling davidsilverspares.com on the phone or email them w/ a pic or 2,they should be able to i.d. it for you.I would use a stock 35/35wt. bulb though so you won't overtax your charging system.I imagine it's a European CB400F.

[HondanutRider]

I don't believe the Canadian models used a sealed beam, as it wasn't a mandated requirement as it was in the US.  My 1974 CB350F doesn't have a sealed beam.

[Bodi]

Every Canadian 400F I've seen has a 6 5/8 (?) headlight with sealed beam, no way a 7" will go in. And it mount differently with an adjusting screw facing forward. I have never seen a Canadian 400F with a stock KPH speedo. But yours is not stock. So I think the headlight and bucket are from another bike. It's very shallow and an H4 unit may not fit. A Stanley 7" sealed beam should fit and have the correct mounting but I can't guess what bike that was from. Stanley lighting is on just about every 70's UJM. The bulb is also a mystery.

[mickwinf]

That was a common bulb over here in the UK back in the 70s when I worked in a Honda and Suzuki dealership we knew it as a "Bosch" fitment. Probably not used in the US. Headlight bucket looks like a 550 f or maybe an early gl1000?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-SCV-100-LEAD-HEADLIGHT-BULB-BOSCH-SEMI-HALOGEN-UPGRADE-35-35W-ALL-MODELS-/171306432916?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27e2a8b994
This link is a halogen upgrade 

original type
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-HEADLIGHT-BULB-12V-25-25W-BA-20d-BOSCH-CAP-DOUBLE-CONTACT-ROYAL-SPARES-/181323160734?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item2a37b3dc9e

[grcamna2]

What number is molded into the Honda headlight case you have? & what is the i.d. measurement on your headlight case,you know where the inner edge of the headlight rim fits in ?

[MotorFist]

Thanks to you all and esp. mickwinf.  I ordered a 35w halogen on amazon with a BA20D base.  I will report back if I run into any problems but I don't think I will.  Last question is now I am a little curious if the bike is a Euro model.  Is there a serial number guide to tell me if it is Euro?

[david 750f]

This may help.

Scrowl down to RockVegas400.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=116719.0

[MotorFist]

Excellent!! Thanks

[MotorFist]

I checked the frame and engine numbers against RockVegas400's pdf and the bike was originally meant for England, Germany, France or European Direct Sales.  I would have to guess that a military serviceman bought it abroad and brought it home to the USA or something along those lines.  Pretty cool anyway.  Made the woman feel like the bike is even more special.  She already loved it anyway

[Deltarider]

I don't get it. If your 400 was a model ment for Europe, you should be able to go 55/60 Watts halogen. If you worry about enough current or not - I certainly don't - the Philips Ecovision bulb should be your choice. It offers the light of a very good H4 @ 44/48 Watts.

[MotorFist]

Just as a final follow up. I installed the 35w halogen bulb and it works like a charm. Much brighter than the old bulb. I could have went to a higher W bulb as the bike runs an LED tail light, mini gauges with LED lights and no signals (legal in Idaho). But this replacement bulb is oodles brighter. Maybe next time. Thanks for everyone's input!