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CX Customization and Modifications
Started by Zach_Godel at 06-22-2010 11:09 PM. Topic has 6 replies.
  
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 06-22-2010, 11:09 PM
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Zach_Godel
 
Joined on 04-16-2008
Lester Prairie, MN
Posts 180
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H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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Since I read this post http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/201678/ShowPost.aspx I decided on a whim that I wanted to get a brighter headlight bulb. The bulb came today and I was a little dismayed to realize that while the connector was perfect, it was just the bulb, not the whole sealed case. Only just now did I reread that previous post and realize that he was not talking about the standard headlight.
So what does a man do when he mistakenly buys bulbs that don't work for him? He makes them work! At the risk of reposting previously revealed information, I would like to guide any other fast reading impulse buying fools into the correct installation of their new fancy bulb.
The process is really quite simple. All you need to do is take apart the headlight and bucket down to the sealed beam case, then with a torch or beefy soldering iron, remove the solder that is holding the stock bulb in the sealed unit. Before the bulb goes anywhere, tie a healthy amount of heavy thread to one of the spades as this will allow you to remove the plug-in unit later. Once the solder is removed from the bulb, you should be able to slide it in and out. Push it all the way in and then fetch a screw driver or some such similar hard edged item to break the bulb inside. Pull the thread to remove the plug-in unit, and shake the shards of glass inside until they break into pieces small enough to fit through the hole in the back.
You now have an empty sealed beam case. If you purchased the same bulb linked in the aforementioned thread, you might want to remove the extra disc of metal around the metal shaft on the bulb. Insert your prepared bulb into the hole in the case. It will not go nearly as far in as the stock bulb, but it will go in far enough to get the light bouncing everywhere it needs to. Also, though it will stick out farther, it will still fit in the bucket. I secured the bulb in a centered position by tying a length of string around the bulb and the sealed beam case. Simply solder around the joint of the bulb and the case being certain to use ample heat to adequately fuse the alloy. Once you have soldered around the circumference of the bulb, you are ready to reassemble your brackets, install your headlight in your bike, and enjoy the new bright headlight.
Or you could just spend another $20 and get an actual 7" headlight that will fit in there and involve little to no finagling. As for myself, I'm ridiculously cheap and I like to make things work if I can. Is it silly? Probably. But then again, I just successfully installed a new bulb in a sealed beam headlight, and for that reason I can rest well tonight.
1979 CX500 Deluxe
1981 SR185 Exciter
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06-23-2010, 12:46 AM
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kribbie
Joined on 10-20-2008
Kane, PA
Posts 259
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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That was great, reading that just made my day. To tell you the truth I would have probably done the same thing.
1981 CX500 Deluxe
1981 CX500 Custom (Parting out)
1980 CX500 Deluxe (Parting out)
1980 CX500 Custom (Project)
1971 Suzuki GS400X(Project Maybe)
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06-23-2010, 7:39 AM
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Rusty
Joined on 08-09-2007
Long Beach California USA.
Posts 206
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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Hmm, My head lamp has a removable bulb H4.
I like creative solutions.
Rusty
1981 CX500C
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06-23-2010, 11:40 AM
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jasonh
Joined on 06-14-2010
Longmont, CO
Posts 78
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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I would look at your bike at night in an oncoming car to check out the headlight.
When you move the bulb either forwards or backwards, it is no longer in the proper spot for the reflector to handle. When this happens, you get lots of glare - this is why you see a Civic coming down the road with the bluish headlights that are glaring and hurt your eyes - they use an H4 HID retrofit kit that basically just puts a rebased HID bulb in, and the filament is not in the same spot so you get glare....basically the same thing as throwing in a new H4 bulb that is moved further back in the housing.
Backwards may not be as bad as forwards (like the HID kits do), so it may not be an issue and you might just be getting a little less light output than you could...but it is definitely something you should check for your safety, or at least as a courtesy to oncoming traffic.
81 GL500
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06-23-2010, 8:09 PM
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Zach_Godel
Joined on 04-16-2008
Lester Prairie, MN
Posts 180
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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As a driver who is bothered by those annoying blue lights, I definitely don't want to be "that guy." I will have to drive tonight and check as I have not yet driven at night with the upgrade.
1979 CX500 Deluxe
1981 SR185 Exciter
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06-26-2010, 3:27 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,861
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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The bulbs don't have to be blue. White is the best option. But then again color and perceived color are two different things.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
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06-28-2010, 10:16 AM
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Rusty
Joined on 08-09-2007
Long Beach California USA.
Posts 206
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Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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Here's a tip. If you have a stock H4 headlamp with removable bulb, it can get dusty in there over the past 30 years. I removed my lamp, removed the bulb and filled the reflector housing with HOT water and a few drops of dish soap, pushed in a piece of t-shirt and swished it around using a chop stick to make sure I got all the dust loosened up. Rinse with HOT water and let it dry before putting it back together. It made a big difference in the quality of light coming from my headlamp.
Rusty
1981 CX500C
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » CX Customizatio... » Re: H4 bulb for the CX500 - A how to installation
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