Topic: 400F Headlight upgrade

[Kenzo1979]

So, on all of my bikes I usually do the Hella H4 kit.  They sell 165mm version which I believe is the perfect fit for the 6 3/8”  400F headlight, only problem is, as I have only dealt with 7” Lights (my first 400), there is no retaining ring for the headlight. The retaining tabs are built right into the headlight that was on the bike. Anybody know if there is a retaining ring out there that will fit? Possibly from another model, etc? 




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[Bodi]

Not that I know of. Assuming the lamp fits in the ring, you can secure it with clear slicon seal around the edge. I don't believe side to side aim is vital and up/down is still via moving the bucket.
I did this with a Cibie years ago and it worked well. Still works well.
I fear the lamp will be too big though. Let us know if it fits.

[Tancdoc]

On the same topic I would love to upgrade my 400 F headlight to LED. Does anyone know how to do that? Any kits available?
Thank you.

[Quattrocilindri]

So, on all of my bikes I usually do the Hella H4 kit.  They sell 165mm version which I believe is the perfect fit for the 6 3/8”  400F headlight, only problem is, as I have only dealt with 7” Lights (my first 400), there is no retaining ring for the headlight. The retaining tabs are built right into the headlight that was on the bike. Anybody know if there is a retaining ring out there that will fit? Possibly from another model, etc? 



My CB350F has that same light, and for now it is still working. However, as soon as either the low or high beam filament will blow, I plan on cutting off the existing bulb terminal connector at the back, and insert this halogen bulb:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/352991093717?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item522fe8a3d5:g:pewAAOSwpfpeMOD2&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACkPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSd0ReTLyM7cxPnI6zs468EF%252BtQhZDptUEEqneWiUIOzJhUyCdS8J5qtara0s8c3CkSXd31GyYZ1NV4AIfIeQEyutB5M20nG2UPHaXHCUKMZJrR6oB%252B0o9grWAO4msX8izN0IKxMirMeHYnrG6SDBigP6KeVWPNdHfGF8iYh0IKou60hYPkAESq0tOfkcvqAEZXszFYAARwdIl%252FSqJbjWgPIGsKllFk1ElPus9NIboWL1LhNzAMCnVdYtXJIDSNqX%252FrE3fNV0rdrA9hl4lJoMbLMfKCHW%252FodTBBrVg0Tj2qFsVBWorNVqlhjXT1hW3DXeQncUoNRRMU3Yz%252FHihblfT5fn4jMBBQzlIP7g2BhcJ8p9S5rFCMIJaV9Bp%252FNIR81RDhJi7Y3vXGodT%252BMPH5qZ65m5cM47FHu%252FpP6YNHorxd4xckctGNNlBof%252Fg5GoJ4AADeqDXeNTOAEeK6phvJFPmaDsAnR9sgF8E%252FoZmLZwFPz%252FhIy3hqo%252BAKYpKKXy%252BziBM2xh%252BXyrYIuSNBJIlKuTO6sQsP5qaxgVrORCwH9onFeY%252FRmEr55W2DfgGUNN2ybMDol9pw7PiKA2D95kfeQ22J%252Bn3ENT3DV0preAz9a%252F7rE099LOEUYwsLLUTiNiCmxJerIiCaxywNqFufZCeFLVMNJulTc1PqPOfgqY57c27brxjnISbWviACr2gGmOQmYNS4k0PGR6o6JlI2gQ7kyEHYbhmqPRCD0KVBSMeoqU1iGVLFgOoAj1DG97bjYDcyZ7i%252B1EHncNEEjAfeKLaAdZ8K0WXLd4T1OHjYzAW3LQNLdrkahdAY27TyD%252FAhzbNDiqV%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

The large flange around the new bulb can be forced off carefully, or cut off with a pair of tinner shears. The remaining glass globe inside the reflector, if it still remains whole, can be easily broken apart from the back with a screwdriver, and all the pieces will fall out from the reflector by turning it face up. Finally the hole at the back of the reflector can be enlarged with a dremel tool or fine rat tail file until the new bulb can be correctly and firmly inserted. Once this mod is done, it will be easy and cheap to replace the bulb with either another halogen one or even an LED type such as this:

 https://www.ebay.com/itm/124491753991?epid=21048508782&hash=item1cfc496a07:g:kWkAAOSwUhJgMy2J

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[Kenzo1979]

... Once this mod is done, it will be easy and cheap to replace the bulb with either another halogen one or even an LED type …

[/quote]

I did that exact thing on a 350 twin years ago.  Just busted out the bulb from the back and put an H4 replacement inside the hole.  I remember using springs tethered to the outer rim to tension the bulb down.  I guess that’s the best move in this situation. I just figured that maybe there was something else out there that I didn’t know about, given all the restoration resources for these bikes.  Thanks!


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[Don R]

 I used a Marchal H4 headlight from Yamiya on my last 400 and don't remember that issue. The wattage was near stock.

https://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=179_274_192_215&products_id=3366

[Kenzo1979]

Sticking with the OEM sealed unit for now as it’s a perfectly fine working HL - both filaments.  When it goes, I’ll drill it out and do my own H4 mod.  Thanks for the feedback, everyone.  Enjoy the weekend.


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[RAFster122s]

The key will be to place the brightest point of your replacement bulb into the same spot as the original bulb. Otherwise the optics will not perform the be same and your beam pattern will not be the same or even optimal...it has the potential to be worse than stock.