Nighthawk headlamp is too dim. Alternatives?

[sin-and-the-art-of]

I'm looking for recommendations for making the headlamp on a 1982 CB450SC brighter. My current plan involves cutting into the headlamp casing to preserve the bucket attachments, maybe swapping in an LED. I'm hoping to avoid spending $$$ on an OEM replacement from a later Nighthawk model. Not opposed to jerry-rigging what I have for cheaper.

Headlamp is 6.5" 12V 50/35W

 

[LongDistanceRider]

There's no easy solution. As you've noted the late Nighthawk is expensive but a great solution if you're concerned with keeping the 100% stock look. Otherwise I would do a search for a more conventional 7" headlight that will take an H4 replaceable bulb. Then you can run a 55/60w bulb which gives plenty of light at night. I'm not a fan of LED's as most I've seen throw a lot of unfocused light.

 

[esmith250624]

Im on my 3rd attempt at at a modification to the stock sealed beam and my most recent one is pretty good. Like LDR said my first 2 did not focus the beam very well. I have not documented my process yet but i could probably throw some links and photos together for you. It involves cutting up the stock headlight housing, so if you have a beat up or broken one that has good glass then that works well. I bought a cheap sacrificial H4 housing to tear apart and just use the reflector. Last i checked they are $24 online. When i get home later o can post the link if interested.

Cheap headlight bucket

Hear is the finished light and the part that I cut out of the stock light. I can pull the headlight later and show what it looks like, but When I disassemble the amazon light I found that the reflector fits pretty well if you just leave a slight lip on the light housing where the old reflector is formed from the metal housing. leaving the existing mounting tabs in place. this might not make sense until you see it, but then I just used RTV sealant to seal the reflector on the old housing.

 

[esmith250624]

I ran a sharpie along the edge of where the light dome starts, this is where I left about 1/16 of a lip for me to use to glue the reflector onto the base. then I had to notch the area where the mounting tabs are. Any way that is what I did for mine and I can take some updated photos of the light beam focus on high and low. If you need anymore details let me know. I bought a 2 pack of LED lamps for $34 that work pretty good and they have an internal fan for heat.

The reason this works is that the new Reflector is designed to focus the beam from an H4 bulb. unlike putting an LED in the stock reflector the angles are all wrong.



Results of the new housing with LED bulb