Topic: Headlight rip-off

[MCRider]

500 and 750 part numbers were originaly exactly the same, 550 has a 341(later 750) middle number and all will fit, as will ANY 7 inch bulb type reflector

I'm looking at the 500/K0-K2, the center digits are 568 with the lower price.

Then the 550K1 is a 341, the 750 number. with the $82 price tag.

I'm using motogrid.com  No indication of the diameter in either case. Also, 568 doesn't show up in my list of Honda part numbers, center digits.

Someone else with skin in the game can figure it out. Sleepy bye time for me.   

[CoachDoc]

Well, I never ride at night around here because of the deer. So not to concerned about the candle power for night driving. I was concerned about getting something that was to hard on the charging system and wiring. I wanted to stick with a sealed beam unit.

Well, as dhall57 says, sounds like your the candidate for the automotive solution H6024 sealed beam for <$20. Should be a slam dunk.

And as I said that's what we always told customers to do anyway, even when they were current models. We didn't stock the Honda items for that reason.

The Bosch and CIBIE lens are fun. They have a really crisp line of illumination. Straight ahead, its a horizontal line, out front, then at about the edge of the road on the right, the light goes up at a 60° angle and everything, like deer, is illuminated. Then the highbeam shoots straight ahead way out, into an "X", in the center of the lane. Really cool.

The stock beams are just a blob of light. Then the high beam is a brighter blob of light.

The problem with deer is even with the light they may be travelling at a high rate of speed into your lane and you can't get stopped or avoid them, whether you can see them or not. 

I don't think there is any extra draw on the system, if you use the same watt H4 as the watt on the sealed beam. Its just a more efficient light. And the relay makes it more efficient.

But I'll defer to anyone who knows elect more than me, which is nearly everyone.   

My charging system is not taxed. Haven't noticed any difference

Tews, what wattage H4 bulb are you using? I also have a 550 and I've read that current draw with stock running lights is getting close to the alternator's output. For that reason I'm leary of going to a halogen bulb greater than 45W.

[dave500]

ive always shoe horned an automotive hella or similar into the housing and use a 60/65 h4 no problem,i dont ride at night but use the light during the day mostly,i switch off the light if im in stop start or long duration stop lights.

[CoachDoc]

Using a relay with that H4 system, Dave?

[dave500]

no,its fine,ill check it might be a 55/60,i do have a relay on the dual auto horns though,my car has 100/130 and the inboard(old four light car)come on with high beam at 150 each,thats a 560 watt high beam,i have relays on each pair high and one for the pair low beam.

[MrGardman]

Like others have said, when I was working at the Honda dealership a lot of customers would use the old 6014 automotive sealed beam at that time. And if my memory serves me right there was a definite difference in the reflector and it made the lighting at night scatter too much. I still think that the H4 bulb conversion is the way to go. We have a lot of deer here also and I just make sure I am alert for those critters, but the H4 bulb setup will make them show up. I was hesitant at first about changing the light from stock, but no more. And also I don't use a relay and have never had a issue with the switch or wiring or charging system.

[dhall57]

Well, I never ride at night around here because of the deer. So not to concerned about the candle power for night driving. I was concerned about getting something that was to hard on the charging system and wiring. I wanted to stick with a sealed beam unit.
[/quote

I ride very little a night also, so the bulb I have works fine for me. I do on occasions get out on nice clear nights and cruise around. It's quite enjoyable. But if I did cover a lot of miles after dark I probally check into a different lamp.

[veloracermike]

So to be clear on my 350F using a 60/55 H4 bulb I do NOT need to add the relay.

[MCRider]

So to be clear on my 350F using a 60/55 H4 bulb I do NOT need to add the relay.

No you do not need the relay, it is an option.

[Hinomaru]

The early/original 7” (incandescent) headlight was a 40/50W and part number: 33321-568-671, this was superseded to 33321-568-671AH

When I ordered the superseded Honda headlight part number: 33321-568-671AH there was a GE 6014 inside the box and the cost was around $10.00

The part number cross reference shows that 33321-568-671AH also fits the following models:

CB450K5 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-5000001
CB450K6 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-6000001
CB450K7 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-7000001
CB500 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-1000001
CB500K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2000001
CB500K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2100001
CB750K0 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-1000001
CB750K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-1044650
CB750K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2000001

The Honda 33321-568-671AH / GE 6014

[Johnie]

Hinomaru...any reason that would not work in my K3? I see your CB750 list stops at the K2.

Update: I just spoke with my dealer and he checked the Honda site and still available. So I ordered one as my low beam is out in my K1 anyway. Then once I get it I will check to see if it will fit the K3 and will report back. He said retail was $10.

[MCRider]

So to be clear on my 350F using a 60/55 H4 bulb I do NOT need to add the relay.

I don't know what the 350F has for an alternator, my guess is you'd be at the upper limits of the output, but still OK. I'd do a cleanup of all your conestors with a little wire brush nd contact cleaner. Especially around the alternator output wires, rectifier, headlight connectors, etc. Probably time to do that anyway.

[MCRider]

Hinomaru: that was ... enlightening!

[grcamna2]

The early/original 7” (incandescent) headlight was a 40/50W and part number: 33321-568-671, this was superseded to 33321-568-671AH

When I ordered the superseded Honda headlight part number: 33321-568-671AH there was a GE 6014 inside the box and the cost was around $10.00

The part number cross reference shows that 33321-568-671AH also fits the following models:

CB450K5 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-5000001
CB450K6 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-6000001
CB450K7 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB450-7000001
CB500 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-1000001
CB500K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2000001
CB500K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2100001
CB750K0 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-1000001
CB750K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-1044650
CB750K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2000001

The Honda 33321-568-671AH / GE 6014

I'm not too sure,but somehow that lense in this picture looks a lot more motorcycle specific than a standard GE 6014.

MCRider, when I get that headlight relay...where do I get the correct one for my CB400F & can I get a small enough one to fit in the little headlight bucket of my bike,or would I be better to mount it underneath the tank ?? I want to find an older style Candlepower headlight H4 type around the 6 5/8" standard smaller size & I think I have just found it. I hope to get a 35/35 wt. Halogen bulb with it as advertised,but may move up to the standard 55/60 wt. H4 later...will the relay compensate or improve this for me as far as you know ?

[Hinomaru]

Hinomaru...any reason that would not work in my K3? I see your CB750 list stops at the K2.

Update: I just spoke with my dealer and he checked the Honda site and still available. So I ordered one as my low beam is out in my K1 anyway. Then once I get it I will check to see if it will fit the K3 and will report back. He said retail was $10.

I’m showing a different part number for your K3 headlight which is: 33321-341-701 and costs around $90.00, I have never ordered one of these to compare the differences between the two part numbers.

I don’t know if the earlier 33321-568-671AH will fit and/or perform as Honda originally intended in your K3.

The part number cross reference shows that 33321-341-701 also fits the following models:

CB550 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550K-1000001
CB550F A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550F-1109886
CB550F A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550F-2000003
CB550F A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550F-2100001
CB550K A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550K-1230001
CB550K A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550K-2000007
CB550K A (78) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550K-2100001
CB550K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB550K-1200001
CB650 A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC03-2002472
CB650 A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC05-2100002
CB650C A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC05-2000008
CB750A A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750A-7000001
CB750A A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750A-7100001
CB750A A (78) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750A-7200001
CB750F A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750F-1000002
CB750F A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750F-2000003
CB750F A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750F-2100011
CB750F A (78) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750F-2200001
CB750F A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC04-2000023
CB750F A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC04-2100003
CB750K A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2540001
CB750K A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2700009
CB750K A (78) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2800001
CB750K A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC01-2000001
CB750K A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC01-2100005
CB750K3 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2200001
CB750K4 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2300001
CB750K5 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB750-2500001
CB750L A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# RC01-3000006
CX500 A (78) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CX500-2000001
CX500 A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CX500-2100006
CX500C A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# PC01-2000017
CX500C A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# PC01-2100018
CX500D A (79) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# PC01-4000005
CX500D A (80) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# PC01-4100002
GL1000 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# GL1-1000001
GL1000 A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# GL1-2001483
GL1000 A (77) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# GL1-3000001
GL1000LTD A (76) MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# GL1-2035001

[Hinomaru]

Hinomaru: that was ... enlightening!

I'm always amazed at how much I don't know after all these years. 

[Johnie]

Thanks Hinomaru for the additional info. Nice stuff there. That $90 must be the assembly unit as discussed earlier. I only need the headlight not the assembly as is the case with all of us. What is the deal with Honda??? Do they have a glut of headlight assemblies they are trying to get rid of or what? As mentioned, I will try this GE 6014 unit out when I receive it and will report back if it works in the K3.

[Tews19]

If all you need is the headlight. Pm me. I will give u one. I have 3 and will give you one. They are original off of my 78 and 75 550s but all the same.

[MCRider]

grcamna2: Try this site of Mark aka HondaMan: http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23&osCsid=d7837b648a137352bf13e3c182703e65

IIRC the realy kit for my hawkGT puts the relay back under the seat. IF its near the shell, its anybodies guess if you can fit it in or not.

This place is a good resource as well: easternbeaver.com

If you understand the wiring, you can DIY with a relay from an autoparts store, for less than $10 and your own wiring. I like the kits.

If you're using a stock watt or slightly less the relay should add 20% to it brightness. easternbeaver indicated it takes about 1.5 watts to trigger the relay, then the full wattage the bulb asks for goes to the bulb. What is being bumped is not the wattage, but the voltage. The relay does away with a lot of voltage drop thru the switch and the stock harness, it seems, IIUC. Not an extra draw, just better use of the draw designed in.

[MCRider]

FYI:  I mentioned using a 6024, but i just picked that up from an earlier post. The 6014 appears to be a higher watt sealed beam more in line with OEM.

[HonderCB]

out of curiosity MCRider (maybe you have already posted this somewhere and i missed it) what type of relay are you running and where do you have it mounted?

thanks

[Johnie]

Thanks for the offer Tews and I appreciate it. I already ordered one from Honda and will let you know how I end up once I get it here. Thanks again...

[Swoop]

Here is oem for $13....more than 10 available...get them while they're hot.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB450-CB500-CB550-CB750-GL1000-SEALED-BEAM-HEADLIGHT-NEW-/190605522731?hash=item2c60f9772b&item=190605522731&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Steve

[MCRider]

out of curiosity MCRider (maybe you have already posted this somewhere and i missed it) what type of relay are you running and where do you have it mounted?

thanks

I have explained on prior posts about my experience. I'll be happy to do it again as i love to hear myself type.   

I had parked my CB750 to await its current rebuild. I was riding my HawkGT. AS I like to ride at night, the weak headlight perplexed me. And I was frequenting the HawkGT forum. Quite by accident I stumbled across a discussion about headlight relays. This gentleman went about putting together kits and quite a nice explanation of it all.
http://www.mahonkin.com/headlight-harness/
(Be sure to click on the picture and get the details)!
So I bot the kit, installed it with the stock bulb, and was pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied with the new lighting output.  It's been a long time, but IIRC, the relay, a lump about the size of a larger flasher, is under the seat, near the battery, where it has plenty of room to mount. I think it is tiewrapped to the frame. It's simply a wire from there to the headlight.

Fast forward to now. I'm rebuilding the CB750. I wantred to put louder horns on it and did a Google search and came up with www.easternbeaver.com.  I bought their horn relay kit and can't wait to use it. Motorcycle horns have always been the poorest excuse for a safety item ever. I heard a set of horns with relays once before and it was nearly apocalyptic!

I would be getting the EB headlight relay from them as well, except i just recently learned that HondaMan is doing H/light relay kits. He'll get my biz for the H Light.  http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23&osCsid=d7837b648a137352bf13e3c182703e65

As far as what type, its whatever came in the kit. I have read many DIY posts though where its stated its just a simple readily available relay from an auto parts store.

[HonderCB]

thanks, i like hearing you type too... your very knowledgable