Headlamp compatibility

[florence]

I have discovered that Honda CB350K has an odd sized headlamp, the same size as 400/4 in fact.  Does anyone know if it is also the same size as CB250N?

[mike the bike]

Yes, its the same.  If you get the pattern 400N headlamp from M&P it will fit.  Furthermore,  the rim is the same profile, unlike the superdream ones.   You'll have to put some bullet connectors on though, or solder the wires from the old one.

[AshimotoK0]

Yes, its the same.  If you get the pattern 400N headlamp from M&P it will fit.  Furthermore,  the rim is the same profile, unlike the superdream ones.   You'll have to put some bullet connectors on though, or solder the wires from the old one.

I thought the 400N was the Superdream Mike?

[Chris400F]

I thought the 400N was the Superdream Mike?

I did too. I thought the 250/400T was the Dream, then the 250/400N the Superdream.
I'm still confused on the size too. I can't disagree with what the M&P ad says but I remembered it as being 7", certainly larger than the earlier 250/360's and the 400/4.
Wemoto also say the unit they sell is 7", DS don't specify the size.
I'm also pretty sure the 250/400T and N models came with a halogen unit as standard.
Not sure exactly why Florence wants to know, but the CB250/360G5 and CJ250/360T models also used the same light unit as the 400/4 although rims and shells not all the same.

[mike the bike]

It is.  What I'm getting at is the rim profile is different on the 250N, 400N, superdreams but the pattern ones look like the 400four ones. Phew.
The reason I changed mine is the original 35W gives such a poor light, whereas the superdream one is a H4 halogen,  55/60W

[florence]

Thanks all, that is useful.  I tried to get a replacement for my CB350K.  I ordered a 5 3/4" standard light but it is a bit too small and the 7" is too big.  The old cibie unit i had has corroded.

[Chris400F]

I have the Cibie unit in my 400/4. I thought the adaptor ring it came with was to accommodate the fact that at 5 3/4" the lamp unit was slightly smaller than the standard one.
At least I think it is 5 3/4", maybe I should measure it!
Presumably you have the adaptor ring and the larger spring clips if you already have a Cibie unit.

[AshimotoK0]

It is.  What I'm getting at is the rim profile is different on the 250N, 400N, superdreams but the pattern ones look like the 400four ones. Phew.
The reason I changed mine is the original 35W gives such a poor light, whereas the superdream one is a H4 halogen,  55/60W

Good tip that Mike 'cos the standard 250/350k unit is Sh*te

[mike the bike]

There's one on fleabay for £35.95.  It's listed as.....

REPLICA HONDA CB250N CB400N SUPERDREAM HEADLAMP COMPLETE.

Sorry,  can't copy hyperlinks with this crappy works table.

Hope this helps.

[florence]

i do indeed have the cibie adaptor ring but the cibie unit is bigger than 5 3/4 ".  i'm wondering now if I should just try to get a cibie unit again. sadly the reflector was very corroded.   i tried to open it but the glass broke.

[Chris400F]

i do indeed have the cibie adaptor ring but the cibie unit is bigger than 5 3/4 ".

Mine measures 5 3/4" across the lens, and it looks as if the aperture in the adaptor ring is the same diameter, but I guess the lamp unit itself is slightly larger - I haven't dismantled the headlight to look. Overall diameter of the original unit is about 6 3/4", but I always get confused with how lamp sizes are measured.

i'm wondering now if I should just try to get a cibie unit again.

Good luck with that! I got lucky and found one which was listed as a Honda CJ360T Head Light - obviously the seller wasn't familiar with these units. Cost me £24 inc delivery and I even got some of that back by selling the rim it was mounted in. The few I have seen listed more recently have gone for far more than that, maybe cheaper to try and find another option.

[K2-K6]

As far as I understand it the cibie lamp used in those conversions is a "bi Oscar" and originated as a car lamp when there were restrictions on competition cars as to how many extra light units could be used.
The Bi Oscar, unlike other car spotlights, had both a fog pattern (used for dipped beam on bikes) and wide spot pattern (used for main beam)  that makes it suitable for the bike application.
They are not handed so are the same unit sold for both left and right hand use.
The nearest cibie headlight for that size would be a H160 that may possibly fit into your original adapter ring along with other car units of the same size.
I've got some H160 type lamps here if you need dimensions to check compatibility as that size is readily available for cars like triumph stag etc.

[florence]

many thanks k2-k6.  It's funny how these things used to be easy to find then suddenly they become rare. 

Many thanks Chris, if the original is 5 3/4 then it won't fit the Cibie rim.

Oh well, patience and search for Cibie unit.  I have to say it was an amazing lamp, the best thing I have ever had on a bike.

[Chris400F]

Many thanks Chris, if the original is 5 3/4 then it won't fit the Cibie rim.

Just to clarify, it's my Cibie that is 5 3/4" across the lens and is fitted using the adaptor ring it came with, not sure what the overall lamp diameter is without removing it.
It's the original Stanley unit that is 6 3/4" diameter.
Might be useful if K2-K6 could perhaps post a pic of an H160 unit with dimensions. If need be I can remove my Cibie unit and measure that, seeing as yours is no longer in one piece!

[Chris400F]

Having said that Cibie units are not easy to find guess what I have just spotted!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-400-4-cb400-four-Cibie-headlight-/122031235958?hash=item1c69a0e376:g:pEQAAOSwXeJXdMV6
Don't know what it will go for though ....