headlights

Been looking to fit a good headlight, in place of the hopeless aftermarket candle-holder that came on my CB500v.

Looking round the web, the most striking thing is the total lack of decent info from stores that want me to give them money for "motorcycle headlight, 7 inch, side fitting".

Gee, that helps; NOT..

What is the shell and lens made of?
what bulb does it take?
is there a side light, and what fitting is that?
What size is the damn thing for fitting??

These, and many other questions will NOT be answered by an of the sellers. sheeeesh!

Anyhow, I'm probably going to go for a 7" Cibie reflector / lense unit as there are reviews on it, the add states everything I wanted to know and at least it's a known headlight manufacturer!
I'll find a way to fit it into the 7" shell.. somehow!

Has anyone any experience of the Cibie, or can recommend any other headlight internals / headlight unit that actually works? I like to see where I'm going!!

Much appreciated!
Vexx

Hi,

you could just upgrade the bulb - 100/70 iirc.

The bulb is fine, it's the lense/ reflector combe that has no useful pattern. I have no idea where the light is going; sure ain't going over the road infront!!

also have a suspicion that the lense would melt!

Thanks for the thought.. once I've got a decent unit on the front, who knows what bulb may end up in it!!!

I ride at night on unlit roads and like to see where I'm going.. and see the floods before I wear them. Rural life eh?!

cheers,
Vexx

The Cibie unit turned up, and makes the old unit look as much use as a candle in a tin foil pie tin.
..only it won't fit in the darn shell!!!

the reflector is deeper enough that there's not enough room for the reflector and wiring.

New shells are silly expensive, and none seem to give dimensions, so no idea if they'll fit anyway. Booh hiss.

Anyway, plan D; cut the back of the shell to make room for what should be in a headlight unit (a decent headlamp unit, dammit), relocate the wiring sensibly - and make a neat cover for it. The plan is to add a small bikini screen anyway, which will cover the lot anyhow

Open to suggestions if anyone has experience of similar!

I WILL see in the dark!!
Vexx

Vexx wrote:
Anyway, plan D; cut the back of the shell to make room for what should be in a headlight unit (a decent headlamp unit, dammit), relocate the wiring sensibly - and make a neat cover for it. The plan is to add a small bikini screen anyway, which will cover the lot anyhow :D

Sounds like a good plan to me... the 'original' headlight shell has a fairly big hole in the back of it. As long as you try and make sure the wiring doesn't soak up too much water it should be ok ;)

Well, I fitted the Cibie unit.

RESULT!! Worth considering if you want to see where you're going.
Yup, it works well.

I still need to replace the shell - the thing on the front is tiny (not the original item), with little space and lots of wires.

Considering it is the bulb from the old unit in the Cibie, the difference is truly outstanding.

Not difficult to fit (unless you have a cupcake case to fit it all in), not too bad a price and works well.

Just need a decent sized (depth) 7" dia headlight shell that fits a CB500V, if anyone has one needing a loving and caring home!!

let there be light!
Vexx