Headlight range - adjustable?

[Pete7874]

Originally Posted by Sarris

I align mine (using the adjusters) by placing the bike next to the car approximately 10 feet from my garage wall and matching the bike beams projection on the wall with the car.

I found it helps to have a second person to do the adjustment so you can put your weight on the bike to get them as close to the normal ride height as possible.

It's seems to get pretty darn close.

I can't see how this could be accurate since the bike's headlight is about 3ft off the ground while the car's headlights are about 2ft off the ground. Maybe your car's headlights sit higher (like on a truck)?

[alantf]

I still think the best way is to use a beamsetter. They use them in the bi-annual test over here (and in England) so why not get it set up accurately in the first place (if you think it's not correct) It really is not expensive. :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Pete7874

I can't see how this could be accurate since the bike's headlight is about 3ft off the ground while the car's headlights are about 2ft off the ground. Maybe your car's headlights sit higher (like on a truck)?

Pete, some of us do what works best under our particular circumstances. Sarris has his method that works for him but no way would work for me. My method would probably drive him nuts.

[Pete7874]

Originally Posted by alantf

I still think the best way is to use a beamsetter. They use them in the bi-annual test over here (and in England) so why not get it set up accurately in the first place (if you think it's not correct) It really is not expensive. :2tup:

Yeah, that's what I'll try to do.

By the way, I also found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5852411_adjust- ... light.html

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Pete7874

I can't see how this could be accurate since .......

I don't think alignment of a bike headlight is a something that could be described as "accurate" no matter how you go about it.

What Sarris described is about as good a "swag" method as any.

After that, you might want to compare the point the beam intersects the road with another vehicle as a final check.......assuming the other vehicle is "right" itself.

I think it's more art than science.

[Pete7874]

FYI, I ended up following these directions to adjust my headlight:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto ... index.html

If these are correct, then my headlight was pointing waaaay too low. I also installed a Silverstar bulb. Now driving at night feels much better.