The International CBX Owners Association

I recently put an 8" headlight on my naked '81. I installed a 100/90 W bulb as well. When i turned it on it was obviously a huge improvement but i was surprised at the amount of heat generated.
Is it something to be concerned about or does the reflector offer enough protection to the wires inside the shell?

Steve, I have the same one on my Turbo and I have not had any problems with heat/wires melting.

Hi Steve

Louis is right ......no issue with standard headlights. I had same bulb you are using from mid 1980s on without issue.

I think I read where some people have issues with the std late models.

Also ...minor tidbit ...is with the stock bulb you can actually put the dimmer switch on hi and low beam at the same time and to get more light at night...... I did this for years without issue.

Mike

Glass headlamps can handle the extra heat of 100 watt bulbs.

It's the (new era) plastic headlamps and reflectors that will melt under the added 40 watts of heat.

Mike

Mike Cecchini wrote:Glass headlamps can handle the extra heat of 100 watt bulbs.

It's the (new era) plastic headlamps and reflectors that will melt under the added 40 watts of heat.

Mike

Well, its about time Welcome to the forum Mike

I didn't want to rush into anything.......

Nevermind the heat, Steve will need an upgraded alternator if he wishes to run both filamants of a 100/90 bulb at once . . . .

Don

I don't see the need to have anything more than 60 watts in my 8 incher. It's like daytime when I turn mine on.

I'm still toying with HID on my CBX, worked great on my GS but the shallow headlamp bucket limits the deep high/low HID bulb.

More light at 35 watts & a lot less heat..

R1200R headlight bucket?

They have a problem when run on high beam for long periods of time due to a lack of cooling caused by the glass shield in front of the headlight that is attached to the fairing. Extended use of the 100 watt high beam will cause the reflectorized material to separate from the glass and can come forward over part of the bulb and greatly reduce light output.

I just remembered! When my low beam went out on my 82 I knew I had a spare bulb somewhere but couldn't find it. Got another and when I began changing it I found that I had a sealed beam headlight, like a car has. Replaced it with another from an auto parts house. Don't do much after dark riding so it works well for me. Anyone else?

I've been running a 100 watt main on my 80 for years without problems. Davey brings up a very good point for Prolinks (with fairings) though. I never thought about that....

I have cut my after dark riding significantly. I have become paranoid about hitting a deer...not that it can't happen during bright daylight

Dave Ditner wrote:They have a problem when run on high beam for long periods of time due to a lack of cooling caused by the glass shield in front of the headlight that is attached to the fairing. Extended use of the 100 watt high beam will cause the reflectorized material to separate from the glass and can come forward over part of the bulb and greatly reduce light output.

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Dave....................call me sometime

I can say that there are no problems running the 100/80 or whatever the rating is.....in an early model. Combine that with a 8" headlight and you can seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Mini sidebar......if you are riding along in WV in the dark or anywhere deer are ......and have the stock headlight bulb.....you can also set your light switch on the CBX half way between low and high for better light at night and both beams light up.........I never had a stock bulb burn out doing this..........buttttttt.....before doing it I would have a spare bulb along.

Mike