Topic: Lighter headlight ideas

[68grandprix]

Right now I'm in the process of installing an Airtech Large Cafe full fairing. I've got the upper half mostly mounted, and today I removed the headlight, ears, and some unnecessary wiring. The fairing has a 7 inch headlight hole, which is the perfect size for my stock Cb750 light, but I've got a dilemma.
   I had planned to just glass the headlight ring into the back of the fairing, but then I decided it would be better just to make some mounts that  would hold the light in the hole, so the weight wouldn't be on the fairing. Then I thought, I'm building this as sort of a vintage street-roadracer, with more power, better handling, full fairing, and LIGHTENING (as in removing everything I don't need), but now I'm going to hang a big, heavy headlight six inches farther forward over the front wheel? I don't like that idea.
   Does anyone know of a lightweight 7 inch headlight I can use? I'm thinking I might have to fill in the headlight hole and use a smaller one, but I think the 7inch would look better, and be easier. Thanks, Jimmy

[theunrulychef]

Assuming you've got the plastic headlight bucket, the stock one should be about as light as you're gonna get.  It would probably weigh less than glassing it in with the fairing, although I think that would be an elegant design solution.  If you've got a metal bucket, you can get a plastic one on ebay for not too much.  Also, if everything's hidden behind a fairing, and the plastic one still weighs too much for you, perhaps you could cut some of the plastic out to reduce weight - on the underside of course.

All in all though, if you're adding a large cafe fairing to the bike, the headlight should be the least of your weight saving worries.  Using aluminum for your mounting hardware will probably trim more weight than a different headlight.

Good luck,
Jay in Philly

[ProTeal55]

I would bet that the stock style plastic bucket headlight is gonna be the lightest option
you Can go with, legally..  am sure you could use two small automotive foglights in place
of a headlight, but their weight with a custom bracket would prob. wind up weighing the same
as the stock piece.

Believe me, I have thought about this for some time, as I am all about making my CB as light
as possible. But, I think the stock headlight is the winner ...

[68grandprix]

Yeah, I'll probably just glass the light in, then I don't even have to use the bucket. I'll probably drill the mounting ring to further reduce the weight (it's on the inside of the fairing anyway). The fairing is Very light. I'd be suprised if it weighed much more than five pounds. I am using aluminum stock for mounting brackets. Maybe I can get some progress pics up on here tomorrow. Jimmy

[Alan F.]

I think Hella has a replacement for the aging 7" glass headlight, it's a plastic lens/reflector combo type unit that accepts the H-4 style bulbs common to most cars. should be quite a bit lighter too.