I am the owner of a Honda motorcycle [CBX1000] who lives in Hiroshima City, Japan. I am posting about FCR carburetor and CBX1000 customization. I also post about things other than cars and motorcycles. We will post information that will make bikers around the world happy.
Replace the headlight bulb with an LED and switch the headlight to a multi-reflector.
Here is a summary of the upgrade where I replaced the headlight bulb with an LED and switched the headlight to a multi-reflector.
For a classic motorcycle, maintaining the original look and feel is essential. This kind of customization may not appeal to everyone, as the visual changes can disrupt the vintage aesthetic. LED bulbs and multi-reflectors, in particular, are modern devices that didn’t exist back in the day.
However, traffic conditions have changed significantly from those times to the present day. With this evolution, these types of upgrades may sometimes become necessary.
This post focuses mainly on photos taken in the garage, and I’ve also added a video.
It’s a short video, under one minute. I think it gives a good sense of the brightness.
Multi-reflector headlight
The look is bright and polished, giving a nice impression. The CBX1000 is a classic-era motorcycle, yet its design resembles the naked style popular in the late '90s. So, the new headlight doesn’t look out of place at all.
@Headlight wiring and relay kit https://www.daytona.co.jp/products/single-95438-genre These kinds of things can be custom-made if you understand how they work. As for my CBX1000, I didn’t notice a significant effect. It could just be that I couldn’t feel it. There may be changes depending on the battery usage and other factors. However, I do feel that the stability of the power supply is likely improved.
Be careful of wire bulkiness.
When installing components like the headlight switch, turning it on and off, the wiring can become bulky. There is only a limited amount of space inside the headlight for storage. I used relays to gradually add the components, which resulted in more wiring than I initially expected.
One advantage of using relays is that the amount of wire modification is reduced. Even if someone else performs the work later, it becomes easier to check the wiring history. Also, there is little need to cut the original harness. As for the bulked-up wiring, I have stored it under the seat and tank.
Regarding the tail light.
I purchased the tail light from someone on an auction who makes original LED tail lamps.
The Marshall headlight may not suit the CBX1000?
When you purchase a Marshall headlight, you can get the entire set, including the case. However, I didn't use it because I felt it wouldn't suit the CBX1000. The product itself is stylish, and Marshall is a long-established brand.
For the headlight case, I purchased a rebuild product intended for the CBX400F. It fits without any noticeable issues. I compared it to the original CBX1000 headlight, and I couldn't spot any major differences.
One thing to note if you're considering purchasing a Marshall headlight is that the logo is quite prominent. The glass lens is durable, making it resistant to scratches and less prone to aging. I initially hesitated to buy it because of the prominent logo, but since I've now switched to a fairing setup, I think installing it might be a good option.
Personally, I wanted a more understated look, so I went with a Raybrick headlight, which doesn't have a logo and is used with a position lamp.
Legal considerations in Japan.
I will write about the legal considerations in Japan.
Yellow headlights have been prohibited in Japan since vehicles manufactured in 2006. The on/off switch for the headlights has been prohibited since vehicles manufactured in 1998. If you choose an LED headlight with brightness that meets vehicle inspection standards, it should not cause any issues. For multi-reflector headlights, please choose one that is compliant with vehicle inspection standards. The issue is not brightness but rather the upper limit of the light beam's alignment, or the cut-off line.
Replace the headlight bulb with an LED and switch the headlight to a multi-reflector.【summary】
If you're having trouble with a dim stock headlight, I highly recommend switching to an LED bulb. If you want to fully utilize the performance of the LED bulb, I suggest installing a multi-reflector headlight. Even after installing it on my CBX1000, it still passes the vehicle inspection. The performance at night is also very satisfactory. When I meet other riders who own classic motorcycles, I often see many who don't have modern equipment. Modern motorcycles come with these features because they are necessary. Traffic conditions have changed significantly between the past and today. Depending on your usage, if you often ride in the city, it's worth considering modern equipment.
There was a time when I was riding with other riders and didn't have any modern equipment, such as an intercom, USB charger, smartphone holder, ETC, or dashcam. At that time, I reflected on it and made sure to install what I could. If you ride with others often, modern equipment is essential. For those who own classic motorcycles, if you feel these accessories are necessary, go ahead and install them. That's all! See you again!
