Late CL77 headlight replacement

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:43 pm

It appears that the seal beam used on my '67 is unobtanium. It is the one that has the two ears for mounting screws and a third for the adjusting screw. Part number is 33120-283-000. I can find them, but they are BIG BUCKS. So, I was wondering if the more available and much cheaper 33120-268-670 can be fit into my headlight bezel with the spring clips.

Otherwise, I'm going to try cutting a hole in the back to mount a socket for a replaceable bulb.

Thanks,
Rob

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:03 pm

Rob

Why not try a unit from a CB350K or CB400F. I just went out to my workshop and dropped a CB400F reflector straight into a CL77 rim. You get much more choice with that.

Back in the day, I squeezed a standard Hella H4 halogen unit into my CB400F headlight. We have a 'pilot' light in UK and I had to drill a hole in the plastic bowl to mount that. It really lit up those long dark rainy English nights......

Not sure whether that brought about the early demise of my rectifier but a beefy Lucas one out of a car alternator fixed that at 1/4 of the Honda price.

G

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:40 pm

Thanks G-man. Diameter is the first challenge. Second is fastening the reflector to the rim. The lase CL77 headlights were held in with two screws thru two tabs welded to the back of the sealed beam reflector. I checked the fiche for the 400F and the headlight looks to be similarly mounted. Cost is $51.00. Still no bargain. I'll have to see what I can scare up with the vintage parts guys.

I spent a chunk of last night on line looking for 35/35W bulbs I could retrofit into my reflector. Most motorcycle bulbs are 55/65W as are most modern headlight bulbs for cars and I don't want to overtax my alternator and kill my battery. But there are some out there if I can retrofit the correct socket into my reflector. Many are from snowmobiles and I'm going to stop at a Suzuki dealer that also sells snowmobiles and see what he's got.

I have a JC Whitney H4 headlight reflector that I can cannibalize for the socket if that becomes the choice.

regards,
Rob

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:45 pm

G-man, did the tabs on the CB400F reflector unit line up with the CL77 rim tabs? According to what I'm reading the CB400F light is 6-1/2 inches and the CL is closer to 6-1/8 inches.

I found several on ebay. But would like to confirm first.

Thanks,

Rob

DONZIE · Post by **DONZIE** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:49 pm

ROB...got a picture of the one you need. I have several nos & if I have one I'll make you price you can't refuse....

ssher40362@aol.com

rrietman · Post by **rrietman** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:18 pm

Rob; charlies place has the bulbs you need. they sell them for their dream repop bulb.
Good luck
Randy

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:05 am

CB400 unit may be a tad larger but fits in the CL rim OK. In UK we get replaceable bulbs so we can play around a little.

My XL250 is going to have a light unit from a BSA Bantam at a fraction of the cost.

Paul Goff in the UK stocks a range of bulbs including LED.

http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/

G