Aiming Headlight

philm35 · Post by **philm35** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:34 pm

I had to pull my headlight while installing new handlebars. What is the accepted technique for headlight alignment?

Thanks,

--Phil

2004 R1150RA (Silver) (Now with Wunderlich Touring Comfort Handlebars)

Post by **baltm604** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:28 pm

RTFM!!!

In the user guide that comes with your bike, they describe the measurements for aligning the headlamp while you are sitting on the bike.

Bill

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:24 pm

Moving it is just a push pull thing...it's on rubber mounts.

I just aim mine so the cut off on low beam is level with the bottom of car windows.

In other words..as high as you can without hitting them in their rear vision mirror.

DJ

philm35 · Post by **philm35** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:47 pm

I did R my FM! Just the wrong one... Clymer doesn't say a word about it. But you're right, my owners manual has it right there on page 40.

Thanks,

--Phil

Post by **bimrluvr** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:25 am

Phil,

I'm expecting a report on both your installation experience and your first impressions of riding with the touring bars.

Enjoy!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:17 am

I try to aim mine so it is shining just below the mirror of the average car during average riding conditions. I want it aimed as high as possible without annoying other drivers. If it is too high or too low, you can just whack it with your hand to adjust.

peterbulgar · Post by **peterbulgar** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:56 pm

The owner's manual contains a wealth of information and much of it is useful. IMHO the description of how to aim the headlight is not one of the more useful sections. DJ and Bob described the easiest, most convenient, and most reliable method. Compared to cars motorcycle headllights are affected disproportionately by load - in the past some touring bikes had a knurled knob to easily adjust the height of the headlight when carrying a passenger or luggage. This is one case where I'd ignore the manual.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

HornHonker · Post by **HornHonker** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:12 pm

I don't think the American import version has the sharp cut off. Not allowed there.

philm35 · Post by **philm35** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:32 pm

I appreciate the suggestion about aiming for the "average window height" or mirror height of a car. I'm sure that would get me in the ballpark, but IMHO a little more precision is required for the legendary motorycles of Germany.

I didn't find the instructions in owners manual too useful either. It calls for parking the bike on a flat level surface 10 meters away from a wall, and hitting a specific measured spot. The bike must be upright, with both wheels on the ground with a rider sitting on it.

Stupid! I don't know about you guys, but my garage is not 10 meters deep, and I can't think of too many places where I can go to perform this procedure that meet those requirements. Plus, the job requires two people... one to sit on the bike and hold it upright, while the other performs the adjustment.

Why not come up with a target height you need to hit from say 3 meters away from the wall, with the bike on the center stand with no load and the rear wheel planted on the ground. Better yet, how 'bout a table that lists target heights under those measurement conditions that allow for riders of varying weights. That way anybody could do the job themselves, precisely and reliably in their own garage. Doesn't that seem like a more "German" procedure? Jawohl!

--Phil

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:16 am

Phil,

I understand what you want, and I wish that were possible, too. My 10 year old Audi has bubble levels that tell you when the headlights are aimed properly, in both directions. That is useful in a car, and you don't need two people to do it.

However, as others have noted, a motorcycle's headlight is much more variable in its aim than a car's. A passenger on the back, or fully loaded system cases, or even a change in the tire pressure, will affect the aim.

My approach works for me. It may not have the precision you want, but it works.

Post by **bimrluvr** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:25 pm

Keep in mind that the single stock headlight is not very bright to begin with. You may just wind up doing lighting upgrades as your next mod.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:22 pm

bimrluvr wrote:Keep in mind that the single stock headlight is not very bright to begin with. You may just wind up doing lighting upgrades as your next mod.

Yes, that is very true.

I upgraded to a 90/100 watt bulb, with two relays. It made a huge difference. I still do not get flashed from other cars, even with a headlight that bright.