Topic: CB400F Light Swap...

[jlells01]

Don't have any pictures yet, but I just wanted to pass on some info...

As I continue to "fix-up" my recently acquired CB400F (now it's official, with tags, title, registration, etc, etc...), the next thing on my list was replacement of the factory headlight...a Stanley unit, with a little white/red "DOT Honda" sticker on the back!

It still worked, but riding with it at night was akin to holding a candle in front of you (minus the dripping wax  ), so after researching on the forums here, I came across some posts by "DrMark" mentioning that a H6024 light would work just fine in place of the O.E. unit.

So off to Wal-Mart I went...and only $9 later, I was walking out of the store with this model:

http://tinyurl.com/yworyn

According to my specifications, the stock unit had a rating of 35w/50w, whereas the new model is 35w/65w...

Tested at install, and it appears to be working perfectly! Won't been able to see how it does out on the road for a few days though... 

[Frrrrunkis]

any updates on how well it works? My low beam just blew and I'm looking around for a replacement

[amemoryoncelost]

 Are there going to be any charging issues? I was always under the understanding that the 400f was right on the line as it is, adding anything more would only put a drain on it, right? There was just a long thread about this in the 400f yahoogroups

[vames]

Doesn't your 400f have the dreaded 6 1/2-ish inch headlight bucket? If so, how'd you fit a 7 inch headlight?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Doesn't your 400f have the dreaded 6 1/2-ish inch headlight bucket? If so, how'd you fit a 7 inch headlight?

+1.

It's like some weird 6 3/8" or something isn't it?  That's the big rub, finding a damn aftermarket light that'll fit.

[malcolmgb]

Doesn't your 400f have the dreaded 6 1/2-ish inch headlight bucket? If so, how'd you fit a 7 inch headlight?

+1.

It's like some weird 6 3/8" or something isn't it?  That's the big rub, finding a damn aftermarket light that'll fit.

mine has a Cibie unit with an adator ring, never stripped it to find out what this involves but I believe it was a common modification in the 70's

[dave400]

You can make anything fit with a bit of ingenuity I’ve got a 5 ¾” car unit Cibie H4 lamp on my 400 by making an extra fitting ring and it’s bright! I’ve had no charging issues.
Cheers
Dave

[vames]

Very interesting. I'm thinking about just getting some aftermarket chrome ears and a 7inch headlight for mine. I don't have blinkers in the front and it just might clean up the whole front of the bike.

[vames]

FYI - you can get 6 3/8" reflectors that take H4 bulbs from www.candlepower.com

They also have a 35/35 H4 bulb that I hear is plenty bright and won't bust your bike's electricity budget.

[333]

FYI- Car bulbs and M/C bulbs are not the same.  The light is reflected in a different pattern.  The pic that Dave400 posted shows how-  that pie shaped part of the glass from 8:00 to 9:00.  And remember, bikes are a little higher off the ground, and have to rely on only one bulb, so that answers the "why" question.  I've run a 55/60 for years with no charging issues, but I don't burn it during the daytime.  The Candlepower is very good, but also the only game in town these days