Topic: 350f Headlight options. Size needed.

[asmallsol]

As you all know, the stock cb350F headlight sucks and needs attention if you ever plan on doing any riding at night. I want to convert to an H4 bulb setup, and then convert to an HID setup. I can get it done for under $200 and I think that it would be a great improvement to the bike.

Anyways I have been doing some searching and was wondering, what is the exact size of our headlights. I have been doing some reading and some people say its just a little bigger then 6 or somewhere in there, but no exact measurements.

I took my headlight apart to try and measure it, but trying to measure a curved surfice with a tape measure doesn't really work too well.

As for the things I was looking at....
http://www.classicgarage.com/he-70476b.html   and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320118540957&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:US:1

I emailed the above seller on ebay and he said he could do a motorcycle kit for a reasonable price.

[Gordon]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 350 and 400 have a 5 3/4" headlight.  Dennis Kirk has the H4 conversion in that size for $37.  I think if you go that route, you'll forget about doing the HID conversion.  I have the 7" H4 on my 750, same bulb as the 5 3/4 (60/55w), and it's at least as bright as the headlights on my car. 

[Bodi]

It's an oddball size, 5 3/4" sounds about right. From my limited research they are only used on the 350-4, 400F, and Yamaha RD350.
You can get a H4 unit that fits, Cibie dealers can probably order them or DSS has some in stock - I don't know their brand.
The Cibie one I have comes with a bogus mounting system and I ended up just gluing it in the chrome ring with silicon - looks OK. maybe the DSS ones have the ears to use the original mounting system. I haven't missed the left/right adjustability though.
Good luck fittng a HID kit in the headlight shell though - the  hi/lo beam ones are pretty large in back with the shifter mechanism. Fitting all the wires and the stock headlight in there is a trick already.

[asmallsol]

anyone with a little more confidence in the size?

[gtyler5]

JC Whitney has a 5 3/4 inch H4 kit for $17.99 they seem to have the best price on these kits, also have a 7" for $18.99. It seems like it would be one of these two sizes they are the standards, but I am only familar with the 750's and they are 7".

[asmallsol]

JC Whitney has a 5 3/4 inch H4 kit for $17.99 they seem to have the best price on these kits, also have a 7" for $18.99. It seems like it would be one of these two sizes they are the standards, but I am only familar with the 750's and they are 7".

lol, thats not to convincing.

[bryanj]

My very aged and overworked brain tells me that the Honda CB400 and the Yamaha RD were the same size and neither of the two car "standards" fits. As I remember it only Cibie did an aftermarket H4 for them and I havent seen one of those for many a year. If Dave Silver lists them i would grab one quick before they vanish

[asmallsol]

If that is the case, has anyone switched out to a different bucket, either a 5 3/4's or a 7incher?

[bryanj]

possibly but you would have to bend the expensive and unobtaiium headlamp ears

[Bodi]

There's a posting http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=22513.0 with Cibie (sibie?) headlights. He doesn't specify if they are for the 750 or 350/400, but you can ask him. The price is right, shipping from the UK might hurt.

[tmht]

The 350 and the 400 are 6 1/2" headlights. At least the 400 doesn't use the spring clips to hold the light to the rim, it uses two screws that go into tabs that are actually attached to the bulb. Your best bet in this situation is going to be to look for a generic sidemount 5 3/4" or 7" bucket and h4 set up. I think I have seen them around in various locales for less than $40.

[Gordon]

The 5 3/4" bucket would probably fit without having to bend the headlight ears.  Maybe put a couple of thick washers on either side to make up most of the difference.

[asmallsol]

Well the thing is, it doesn't matter what size the bucket is to fit a whole new bucket on the bike, its a question of the width of the mounting points on the bucket and the bike. If its a bigger bucket, (assuming its parabolic like the current one) then the lens is just going to be further out front. Smaller, would be more resessed, assuming its a universal that you would have to drill to make fit (which leads to poor alignment, which I would like to avoid that route).

Would say a CB750 7incher bucket fit between our mounting tabs (I eyeballed it to be 6 inches with out taking the headlight off)

[CBGBs]

My CB350 twin uses the 5 3/4 and My 400f uses something like the 6.5 that was stated.I know its a little bigger than the 350. I would guess you have a 6.5 inch on your 350f.