CB400T UK Model Halogen H4 Aftermarket Upgrade from DSS

Maraakate

Maraakate

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I saw David Silver Spares has this when you look for "CB400T Dream"

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www.davidsilverspares.com

David Silver Spares

David Silver Spares specialise in Honda motorcycle parts from the 1960's to 2001 models
www.davidsilverspares.com

For ~$55-$65 shipped might be a good deal because I'm fairly convinced at this point those Rebel 250s with the halogen bulbs must be non-existent. Maybe it was for some rare anniversary addition or something? Either way, I think this will work all the same. There is an extra "sidelight". I guess it's just an extra running light? Unsure its purpose, but it would connect to the same circuit as the instrument lights. I'm going to roll the dice on this and see if it works out. My CB550 already has an H4 in it and it works very well. CM400 is really poor with the original light compared to an H4.
 
Interesting, so there are two parking lights on euro models? I do find they come in handy for running to the grocery store/larger parking lots so you can give drivers a hint not to just blindly pull into that spot.
 
Maybe. Can it be adjusted out if that is the case? Maybe not an issue, because 33120-333-670 for US model fits Australia models.
 
I was more concerned about a safety/visibility issue for myself. I'll give this a try and report back. Would be nice to get things upgraded.
 
Richard has a point and I think Australia is left side road driving too. It is to do with the way the lens deflects/focuses the light for the road. As Richard noted it maybe a non issue. If you have the typical Honda headlight adjuster screw in the chrome bezel you can possibly correct any issues there.
 
Richard Pitman said:
We call them 'side lights', historically used when riding in low light conditions. Bit redundant in these days of DRLs and bikes running daytime headlamps.
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Interesting. I thought that little light only came on along with the tail light, at least on older bikes, when the key was in the park position.
 
Cycleranger said:
Interesting. I thought that little light only came on along with the tail light, at least on older bikes, when the key was in the park position.
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My CB600 Hornet is a 1999 model, UK spec. It has a lighting switch in the right hand cluster for Off, Sidelight, and main Headlamp. On the left hand cluster it has the Dimmer switch, which switches the headlamp between Main and Dipped beams. There is also a separate Passing switch on the left cluster, that enables rider to flash Main beam regardless of lighting switch position ( On or Off ). There is no parking light, turning key to Park position activates the steering lock.

The UK spec CB175K6 has a similar arrangement. Rotary switch in the headlight shell for lights On, Side and Main, with a separate dimmer switch on the right hand switch gear. Those bikes still had the parking lights on the second position of the ignition switch.

Later Hornets came with headlights that come on with the ignition ie switched on all the time. That would infuriate me. Maybe I'm a Luddite, but I don't usually switch my headlights on in daytime. I prefer to assume that I'm invisible, that other road users can't see me, and ride accordingly.
 
Flyin900 said:
Richard has a point and I think Australia is left side road driving too. It is to do with the way the lens deflects/focuses the light for the road. As Richard noted it maybe a non issue. If you have the typical Honda headlight adjuster screw in the chrome bezel you can possibly correct any issues there.
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Yes, it occurred to me after I posted that Australia, New Zealand and Japan all drive on the same side of the road as Britain and Ireland. At the risk of being political, given recent comments, it's ironic that the US drive on the same side as those dreadful Europeans 🤣

My SL175 still has the US spec sealed beam headlight and no one has ever bothered me about that.
 
Richard Pitman said:
My CB600 Hornet is a 1999 model, UK spec. It has a lighting switch in the right hand cluster for Off, Sidelight, and main Headlamp. On the left hand cluster it has the Dimmer switch, which switches the headlamp between Main and Dipped beams. There is also a separate Passing switch on the left cluster, that enables rider to flash Main beam regardless of lighting switch position ( On or Off ). There is no parking light, turning key to Park position activates the steering lock.

The UK spec CB175K6 has a similar arrangement. Rotary switch in the headlight shell for lights On, Side and Main, with a separate dimmer switch on the right hand switch gear. Those bikes still had the parking lights on the second position of the ignition switch.

Later Hornets came with headlights that come on with the ignition ie switched on all the time. That would infuriate me. Maybe I'm a Luddite, but I don't usually switch my headlights on in daytime. I prefer to assume that I'm invisible, that other road users can't see me, and ride accordingly.
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That all sounds terribly fiddly and complicated! :D
However, I do switch on my headlight in the day time. (It's the law in most states here.)
 
Got the light today. Took a few minutes to set it up. It is much brighter. Gets hotter too since it is halogen! It works quite well from what I can tell so far, but will have to test it out tonight on the road. Significantly brighter, of course. The only con is there is no tab for the angle adjustment.

Original sealed beam:
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From the front, and yes, it is aligned wrong:
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You'll have to make a mark for the top since there are no brackets. It uses the clips. This is not an aftermarket defect, as the CB400T UK model is also like this:
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Wrestle those clips in. Not too bad once you know how to snap it in, but still a bit annoying:
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Assembled:
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Attach the wires. You CAN use that parking light bulb (which also works a daytime running light) by plugging into green and into brown:
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Low beam:
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High beam:
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Front view:
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Front view with parking only:
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You can see a bit of a bend there for the angle of the side of the road you drive on as was mentioned on here. We'll see if it's an issue. I hope not, because this is really nice if it works out well.
 
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Not to nitpick and if I'm remembering correctly, I think those clips are upside down. I believe the open ends are supposed to fit under the lip of the chrome ring and the little u-shaped tab is what holds down the headlight.
 
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They seemed to be snug and secure. I mimicked what was on the parts diagram. But maybe it is wrong. Someone who is more familiar with the clip style older headlights would know better than me.

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boddy said:
Not to nitpick and if I'm remembering correctly, I think those clips are upside down. I believe the open ends are supposed to fit under the lip of the chrome ring and the little u-shaped tab is what holds down the headlight.
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You are correct. I made the same mistake the first time I assembled my H4 headlight before last year's trip to the Carolinas, and the glass rotated a bit on me because they weren't tight. This is the installation I found that confirmed the right way and my headlight has been fine ever since.

 
Edited the first post with correct clip orientation. I will say I ended up nipping off about 1/4" or so on those clips because it was impossible to get them in otherwise.

Took a ride around at dusk and it is a big difference. Don't have time to do a true night ride, but it is aimed straight and is quite bright. I ran some errands as well and did not have an issue with the battery being drained.

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OK, couldn't help myself. Did go out briefly for a couple of miles and yes it tracks straight and works great. I think it's safe to say that if you are looking for a drop in halogen H4 bulb for your CB400/CM400/CM450 this is it.

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Went down some pitch-black farmland roads and huge difference. Especially with the high beam there's a good chance I might be able to see a deer coming before it's too late. Highly recommend this bulb swap.
 
Interesting, the brazilian 450's with the square headlight (like mine) use this exact setup, an H4 60/55w as the main bulb and the small one is a T4W/BA9S (4/5w).

I strongly recommend the Philips bulbs for these, there's the ultra cheap yellow ones that work quite well and the more expensive white ones - The one I use is the Philips X-treme Vision Moto - Its color temperature goes up to 3500K, pretty white - I have also used Philips Clear Vision ones that go up to 4300K and those also work beautifully and are even whiter, if that makes sense.

The early (start of the 80's) brazilian CB400s with the round headlights used a 40/45w + T4w/BA9S (4/5w).

Since lights are mandatory during the day over here, the parking light is kind of used as daytime running lights.
 
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It's kind of hard to find a 4W BA9S in LED flavour, at least from what I saw. The ones that are available are $10USD. Not really worth it to save 3 watts, unless you're struggling for some reason.
 
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