Topic: Fitting 7inch H-4 headlight 78 cb750K

[livetoskate]

Ok, I bought a 7" H-4 headlight from Z1  and went to put it in my 78 cb750K last night only to find out that
the 7" headlight/lens was slightly to small for my ring setting and had little metal nubs on the back of the headlight that prevented the retaining ring to seat correctly
 Anyone ever had this same problem or know a good solution or bought one of these from Z1?
Heres the link to the same headlight I ordered from Z1
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TR20-0004&click=8321


Thanks

[torrinh]

send back that headlight and pick up a 7-inch hi/lo headlight at NAPA. Get a halogen light with the lowest wattage you can. That's what I did. Works great, a little brighter than stock.

[livetoskate]

send back that headlight and pick up a 7-inch hi/lo headlight at NAPA. Get a halogen light with the lowest wattage you can. That's what I did. Works great, a little brighter than stock.

what wattage did you get?
Is that going to solve my problem with it not fitting??
The one I have has a high and low beam as well,just doesn't fit right.
I have a feeling if I go to my local auto store and get another 7" headlight I am going to have the same problem I started with.

[Alan F.]

if the metal tabs are preventing the retaining ring from fitting, could you just trim them off with a dremmel tool?  Also if the headlight seems slightly small, could you wrap a layer of metalized tape around it as a shim?  Like the aluminum autobody or muffler tape?

[livetoskate]

I thought about just trimming them off, but then I couldn't send it back if it's not gonna work. The tApe idea sounds good but I'm not sure it'll do the trick. There's that lip that the retaining clip is supposed to grab and if I used tape it wouldn't have that rounded lip.

Anyone know of a headlight that is brighter than the stock that would just fit without much hassle.

Thanks alot

[bryanj]

I have fitted car 7" units before with no problem, Have you pics to show whats wrong?

[78CB750CAFE]

not sure if Z1 has them, but there are retainer rings Adjure sells (check parts unlimited or drag specialties catalog at your dealer, or search online) to make their headlights work w/ 7 1/2" buckets.

[ev0lution7]

mine worked with no problems but some headlights do need a new "inner" ring to make the newer headlights with "tabs"  to work with our 7in headlight i used a H4 headlight (7in) from a Gl1100 it came stock and its a "stanley" piece but do a search on ebay and they will have H4 7in headlights and even sell that ring that you need i think MikesXS has has the headlights and conversion ring... check them out!

here is a pic the red circles are the TABS!

[robe0531]

this is the 7" h4 light i bought and had no problem with installing it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7-MOTORCYCLE-HEADLIGHT-HARLEY-HONDA-YAMAHA-KAWASKI_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ35575QQihZ013QQitemZ230132545131QQtcZphoto

[Toxic]

Carpy sells a 7" Tribar headlight that is supposed to fit.  I have one but I am not at that stage yet.

http://www.cb750cafe.com/parts.php?id=46

[Alan F.]

Well if you're just looking for brighter than stock, just run another circuit from the battery with heavier guage wire run through a relay, and use your handlebar switch to energise the relay.  You'll get much more power to your stock headlight, it's an amazing difference.

[ev0lution7]

ya i was trying that b4 i gave up trying to intergrate it into the stock harness (it made the harness to "fat" to fit inside the wire loom i was using!

Buy yes that will give a HUGE improvement in lighting our bikes have upto a 2v drop at the headlight wich is wasting Amps and making the light dimmer than it should be!

[livetoskate]

Well if you're just looking for brighter than stock, just run another circuit from the battery with heavier guage wire run through a relay, and use your handlebar switch to energise the relay.  You'll get much more power to your stock headlight, it's an amazing difference.

I had thought about adding that wire (Hondaman recommended that to me)
But to say the least Electrical is my weak point and coming from someone who's strong point isn't very strong ...........

Do I conect the wire direct to my battery? What relay would I use, and to be honest I am not 100% sure how the relay works?
If you don't mind what would the steps be for setting up this headlight relay?
What do you mean by using your handlebar switch to energize the relay.
Sorry but like I said electrical is tough for me.
Thanks

[ev0lution7]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48900.45

check that thread out its about half way down i did a huge post about why you want to use relays and basic electrical!

basics... (relay is assumed you are using a "bosch" STYLE relay there are many differnt kinds of relays but bosh style is most common in autoparts stores OH and termial 87a is not used!)

Terminal 30 on a relay is Power in from the battery!
Termail 85 can be ground (green wire)
termial 86 is the wire FROM the headlight bucket (if its headlights its either white or blue)
and termial 87 is same gauge wire of 30 (you did use larger gauge wire right?)

the idea behind a relay is that you are using the "swtich" to trigger a reaction on the relay (turn it on) and you use the switch and once the switch goes on it tell the relay to switch full battery voltage (important) to the item you want to turn on!!!

[livetoskate]

what gauge wire is recommended?

[ev0lution7]

from the battery to the relay and the relay to the headlight i would use 12gauge or 10 its your choice the larger the wire the less resistance !!!

[bryanj]

DO put a fuse in the Battery line though, you could use two relays, one each for dip and main, and one heavy supply wire with one fuse

[livetoskate]

Alright I am sending the H-4 headlight back.
Now I am looking at an Oem stock headlight and its about 50$ TO 55$ 
There is a sealed beam headlight that Z1 enterprises sells for 6$ here is the link
http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2090

My question is
First has anyone ever used the one from Z1?
Second do you think theres a big difference in quality,because theres sure a bigg difference in price.
I know that OEM parts are always much more expensive and sometimes well worth it,
but is that the case with the headlight?
Thanks

[Jakoba]

EVO,
        I have an H-4 light on my 78 750 now. Would running a relay to that make it even brighter?
They won't let me ride in the back now because the light is sooooo bright. 

PS: Still thinkin' seriously about that LED set up of yours. 

Jako

[ev0lution7]

dont buy that OEM headlight for $50 i'll send you 2 of mine for $5

anyways yes if you put a relay in it will make your headlight brighter H4 (9003) headlights are much brighter than stock headlight... (40w Low, 50w high)  H4 (9003) 55w Low, 60w High.... 

so ya your light will be bright! just look at my LED thread about voltage drop and its effect on a lighting... (i think page 5) anyways dont buy the stock headlight unless your charging system totally SUCKS!!!!! a H4 (9003) will be the best light your bike has ever seen in its 30+ years of life!!!! also check out....

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-HID-FREE-SHIPPING/H4-9003-HB2/sc130161//page/1/checkForLanding/true

thats my next mod instead of putting on those headlight relays i'm gunna do this kit instead (PS... it comes with a relay    )

so i'm thinking it will be MUCH brighter than stock!

[Industrial Cafe]

I've been using a blue xenon headlight meant for offroad use only.
It's 130watt low, 180watt hi beam.
I have the stock harness and a Bosch motorcycle H4 headlight. I've been using it for a year now, and have never had a problem with dead battery or over heated/melted wires, really nothing bad to report. maybe my bike is just a freak. 

Hope you get it sorted out, and like ev0lution7 says, the HID will be my next step.

[ev0lution7]

well I NEVER would promote you do something illegal (like OFF-ROAD HEADLIGHTS) i would hope that you dont say that again there are guys on here who would take that and run and say things... like... well i seen this guy on "said" forum and he is running that headlight...

also off-road headlight offend other drivers and riders.. also it gives motorcyclesist a bad name...

even the HID kits tell you to PROPERLY re-aim your head light as to not cuase undue glare...

also if the headlight is running on your "cafe" bike thats in your avitar then it just might work because most cafe bikes are running minimal electricals... and thats basicly your only draw (headlight)

i'm running a full stock bike so my bike's charger might be upset if i ran a brighter headlight..

[Industrial Cafe]

all my vehicles have ridiculous headlights, I live in the middle of nowhere.
   
     You know you can reach out with your hand and move it around, right?
point it at the road.... point it at the sky...

as for minimal electrics, I have turnsignals and a tail light... oh, and a horn- what else is there?    a radio?

If I offend other drivers/riders, it's because I bumped the headlight up while cleaning the bike. and I promptly push it down.

I'm not an a$$hole, dude.  but thanks for the lecture. 

[chrislib]

I just finished up a relay install on my bike over this past weekend, the improvement is literally night & day (pun intended). And livetoskate, another vote for not shelling out 50 bucks for a headlight, I`m running a Sylvania Silverstar and that, coupled with the relay deal has made for a very bright headlamp.

[Industrial Cafe]

relay.... hmm, I have a headlight relay kit layin' around here... Maybe I'll put it to use!