SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400

What's my Headlamp

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K2-K6:

--- Quote from: Oddjob on January 13, 2024, 10:52:31 PM ---Cibie did do 2 versions of the Z beam, the concave one was the 6.25" ? one for the 400 with the 7" being convex for the 500/550/750 etc. Oddly they are not marked on the glass to show they are the Z beam, I still have my 7" Z beam headlight and fully intend to refit it on the 500 when (or IF) the bike gets back on the road.

I used the Z beam headlight as my testing bed for testing LED H4 replacement bulbs, you can see the results in the thread https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,25595.msg234547.html#msg234547

--- End quote ---

All Cibiè aren't Z beam though. They only made one of that designation as I understand it......the Z-180... all of them are good as they used good quality glass in comparison to cheaper alternatives, specifically a better performance in refraction (lower light scatter as it passed through the lens) to give better light pattern and focus.

The Z was unique in having, literally, a Z shape just off axis and to the side of vertical on dip beam only. This gave extended dip performance along the left edge of road and more height there as you banked the bike left, to then offer enhanced visibility of road edge.

Many are Cibiè H type that doesn't do this.

The concave type was never Z in my experience of them.  They do all perform well, with notable  clarity and defined beam patterns that, even today, offer very good illumination.

The concave type would usually have a straight cut dip beam (can be used here and in Europe without modification) with "spot" type main  beam for longe range.

Oddjob:
My recollections are slightly different Nigel, I distinctly remember reading an article in one of the bike magazines, it was all about headlights, like a multiple test of different brands etc. It showed diagrams of beam patterns etc by using light meters to show where the light was being thrown. The Cibie Z beam won hands down, in fact the exact wording for their description of the main beam pattern was “Like a laser beam, with all the light almost on the floor”

They did say in the article that Cibie were making 2 versions of the Z beam, the 7” for the larger bikes and a smaller one with concave glass for the smaller bikes, both were described as being Z beams.

I immediately went out to my local Honda dealer to order one for my 500, it’s one of my purchases I’ve never regretted. On country roads the beam pattern is awesome, like a laser beam is a VERY good description of it.

McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
The main difference back in the late 1960's between my mates Mini that had concave Cibie Headlamps & my Carello Parabolic Pajods was negligable on main beam but the Pajods had a cleaner brighter dip cut off with the left side angled edge ideal for lighting up the left side gutter & hedgerows. That said the Pajods were almost twice the price of the Cibie units retail. I was fortunate that for a short period I could buy the Carello Pajods with a whopping 55% discount.

My Carello units were swopped from car to car over 15 years until manufacturers stopped fitting cars with the standard type headlamps. Wish I had kept them - I let them go when I sold my last BMC Cooper S.

K2-K6:
The topic of lamp, concave type, was related to the mini Cooper Ted.

Remember that 1966 Motecarlo rally had some of them barred from the finishing order, making Citroën the winner ! was about the lights and bulbs used.

There being various restrictions on how many etc the car could have fitted.

These concave type originated in response to those regulations, with a fog (straight cut, lower beam pattern) and a long range "spot" light incorporated into the single lamp to give the driver a choice without fitting two additional lamps.

I saw, and still have somewhere, contemporary testing of these era Cibiè Ken. Also bought and fitted many in cars and bikes, including both sizes and different beam patterns. Z type was only available in 180 in all those times when that kit was current.  H avaliable in both big and small though.

The Cibiè lens always are good though, whichever beam, their glass and prizm pattern moulding in manufacture was verifiable in it's ability over and above many other makers.

TrickyMicky:
If my memory serves me correctly, the French Citroen team just did not like being beaten, especially in their own back yard by a group of humble{sic) British Minis.  The amazing part being, that all French registered vehicles at that time had to be equipped with yellow headlights. I leave you to guess what colour lights the Citroens were fitted with!!!! 

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