Turn your Brain Off and Shoot the Shit > Product Reviews
H4 Bulb Headlight conversion on CB350 - not recommended
DrJ:
I have an H4 bulb conversion on my CB350 headlight with 60/55 watt rating. Only recently have I been doing longer night rides and realized it doesn't work well with the stock charging system. The original sealed beam unit is rated at 35/25 watts, much lower than the H4. The H4 draws too much power and depletes the battery faster than it can charge. First symptons are the signals and horn seizes to work. Then the idle starts slowing down. Luckily the bike will still run and the headlight still works even when the battery drains to 9.5 volts but the revs need to be kept up or it will stall. So for anyone considering switching to an H4, there is a charging kit that will work with an H4 that I may get.
http://www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/press2007/2007-09-11Classic_honda_kit.pdf
locO leoN:
I put an H4 Conversion lap on my cb750 and it seems to work ok.
Although I had to wire in a headlight kill switch so that I could turn it off when starting the bike...
78kz:
I've been using an H4 conversion in my kz650 for years with no problems, but the 2 55W driving lights I just installed are draining my battery if I ride at low rpms. At higher rpms/speeds, it seems to be ok.
strangedaze39:
You totally right, CB350s have some of the worst charging systems around. You might be able to pull it off if you replaced your tail/turn signals with LED lights. It probably even took some power from your coils.
Thanks for the heads up. Sometimes people advertise these bulbs as less power drawing, but I always thought it was a hoax. Good confirmation.
valvesprung:
I know it doesn't give the most "classic" look, but I'd think about an HID conversion. www.sharphid.com has them for $60 or $65 and once lit they use an VERY small amount of power to maintain. They also produce less heat! most of the bluer tones would look silly on a cafe, but 3000k would be yellow and that would look killer.
If these were used I'd recommend using a switch on the lamps so they were only turned on while running, igniting them takes quite a bit of juice, once lit though it's all gravy.
Just a thought, but it may save you tossing that perfectly good H4 lamp.
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