Headlight Aiming?
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Headlight Aiming?
I know the height off the floor is 35 inches at 25 foot with rider.
But would anyone know a good height off the floor at 12 foot away?
I'm running a PIAA 60 /55.
In my shop from where my build spot is to the door is 12'. I just want to be able to get it close enough to finish the build and then I'll adjust it once I'm back riding it.
Thanks!
But would anyone know a good height off the floor at 12 foot away?
I'm running a PIAA 60 /55.
In my shop from where my build spot is to the door is 12'. I just want to be able to get it close enough to finish the build and then I'll adjust it once I'm back riding it.
Thanks!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 5
From: Rockford Illinois
this is just a wild guess but if i were doing it i'd prolly split the difference between the actual height of the lamp and the 35" wall mark.
if i get in the g-rage today i'll measur the distance and height of mine for ya.
otherwise i'm sure a couple others may chime in.
if i get in the g-rage today i'll measur the distance and height of mine for ya.
otherwise i'm sure a couple others may chime in.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
I plugged it into a right triangle calculator and iam not saying this is right but i came up with 16.79 inchs from the floor.
With the 35 inch at 25 ft the angle at the floor was 6.65 deg that is what i used to come up with 12ft from wall at a 6.65 deg angle from floor and a 90deg at wall gives you 16.79 inchs from the floor and guessing that would be right as you cut the 35 almost in half and the 25 almost in half should be dam close.
With the 35 inch at 25 ft the angle at the floor was 6.65 deg that is what i used to come up with 12ft from wall at a 6.65 deg angle from floor and a 90deg at wall gives you 16.79 inchs from the floor and guessing that would be right as you cut the 35 almost in half and the 25 almost in half should be dam close.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 5
From: Berwick, Pa
LOL
Good try on the angle calculator. But that cannot be correct.
That would mean he'd have a magic headlight, one that points down for the first 12 feet, and then point up for the next 13. That would not be a straight line. It might however be about 16.79" if the bike was laying down on the floor?
The correct answer will absolutley fall somewhere in between the actual hieght of the headlight, and the 35".
Try the calualtor again, but use the height of the headlight, not the floor as the starting point. That should work better.
Good try on the angle calculator. But that cannot be correct.
That would mean he'd have a magic headlight, one that points down for the first 12 feet, and then point up for the next 13. That would not be a straight line. It might however be about 16.79" if the bike was laying down on the floor?The correct answer will absolutley fall somewhere in between the actual hieght of the headlight, and the 35".
Try the calualtor again, but use the height of the headlight, not the floor as the starting point. That should work better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
Just guess and aim after you start riding
I've been known to leave mine just loose enough to move then ride at night and adjust accordingly before tightening. The angle changes too depending upon your shock preload when sitting on the bike and if you have a passenger anyway. No need to follow the manual exact persay or get technical...its a headlight not rocket science.
I've been known to leave mine just loose enough to move then ride at night and adjust accordingly before tightening. The angle changes too depending upon your shock preload when sitting on the bike and if you have a passenger anyway. No need to follow the manual exact persay or get technical...its a headlight not rocket science.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
It's not as easy as popping the cap and adjusting it. Plus I hammered a 1.5 inch strap and made it extend the headlight bucket 1 1/16" inches less necessary lips to grab the bucket and for the rubber. I had to go a brighter light. Its filed and I'm smoothing it with lead before it goes to chrome.
I just wanted to get the bucket close to where it needs to be while I was at it.
I've been busy. lol Can't a guy get ahead a bit. lol
Rims are painted and polished, .497 cams are in, SE Programmable ignition in, 1250 jugs and stage2 heads will be here soon, new brakes, new headlight and new rubber hoses.
Plus a few other hand made goodies.
I just wanted to get the bucket close to where it needs to be while I was at it.
I've been busy. lol Can't a guy get ahead a bit. lol
Rims are painted and polished, .497 cams are in, SE Programmable ignition in, 1250 jugs and stage2 heads will be here soon, new brakes, new headlight and new rubber hoses.
Plus a few other hand made goodies.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 6
From: Simpson County Kentucky
Are you sure you're not part Redneck because that's the way we'd do it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
In all seriousness Freebird, what are you doing....making a headlight bucket with rigid/fixed mount with no side to side or vertical adjustment?
Last edited by capttawes; Jan 25, 2009 at 11:48 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Middle River, MD
Just guess and aim after you start riding I've been known to leave mine just loose enough to move then ride at night and adjust accordingly before tightening. The angle changes too depending upon your shock preload when sitting on the bike and if you have a passenger anyway. No need to follow the manual exact persay or get technical...its a headlight not rocket science.
I've been known to leave mine just loose enough to move then ride at night and adjust accordingly before tightening. The angle changes too depending upon your shock preload when sitting on the bike and if you have a passenger anyway. No need to follow the manual exact persay or get technical...its a headlight not rocket science.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Middle River, MD
Screw the "inches at 25ft. thing. When following a car at night with your low beams, you should see the edge of the beam even with the car's tail lights. If your light is bouncing up into his rear window, you have them too high.
I don't get the high beam flash from oncoming cars anymore since I undid the dealer's adjustment. More importantly, I can see the road ahead of me.
I don't get the high beam flash from oncoming cars anymore since I undid the dealer's adjustment. More importantly, I can see the road ahead of me.