Proper way of aligning headlights (Truck Lite LED's)
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
Proper way of aligning headlights (Truck Lite LED's)
So what's the proper method of aligning the Truck Lite LED's after install? I would like to start at hopefully a standard an adjust as needed from there. I assume they will probably not be aligned properly when installed into my Ultra Limited.
Anyone have a good method of finding a good starting point?
Anyone have a good method of finding a good starting point?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,162
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
Start with the bike inside a garage or other dimly lit place with the front wheel at 25' from a wall. Have someone preferably about the same size as you are get on the bike to hold it straight and level. Turn the high beam on and make a small lite pencil mark on the wall. Use a straight edge or level to extend the mark a little bit. Ideally it should be around 35"-36" up from the floor. You can also eyeball and measure the height of the headlight bulb on the bike while your friend is holding the bike and then proceed from there.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,451
Likes: 2,839
From: Oklahoma
Both the owner's manual and the shop manual have the same diagram for the basic set up. Hopefully you have at least one if not both. I stuck a piece of masking tape on the garage door for the top of the hot spot, set that up on the headlight and then tweaked from there. If you like where your current headlight aims, mark the hot spot on the door and adjust the new light so it shoots in about the same place and adjust from there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
Yeah man...spend $65 on the manual---detailed instructions in there...but from memory, OldEnuf seems to be pretty close to the manual. The manual is actually my best investment!
Don't forget the horizontal alignment....sometimes we only focus on the vertical alignment. I kept getting flashed and when I rechecked things, I noticed my headlight was aimed to the left into traffic.
Don't forget the horizontal alignment....sometimes we only focus on the vertical alignment. I kept getting flashed and when I rechecked things, I noticed my headlight was aimed to the left into traffic.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Both the owner's manual and the shop manual have the same diagram for the basic set up. Hopefully you have at least one if not both. I stuck a piece of masking tape on the garage door for the top of the hot spot, set that up on the headlight and then tweaked from there. If you like where your current headlight aims, mark the hot spot on the door and adjust the new light so it shoots in about the same place and adjust from there.
Mark your old "Spots", then when you install the TL LED's their spots will vary. In the case of my TLP7, a distinct low beam line with a "Vee" near the center helped tune the spot. Adjustments vertical and horizontal will probably be needed. Adjust the best you can, ride, readjust to fit your needs. Slight to the right of center is my preference. If you get the dim setting right, when you go to bright they will fill in and surprise you and your passenger. I ride with mine on bright during the day to maximize being seen. I also have the TLP7 Passing Lamps with the wire mod to keep them on in bright mode. The manual setting recommendation for them really suck, way too low. I have my left slightly below the headlight dim line just a little left of center headlight spot, with the right slightly below the center spot and nails the right line of the road. That right one expands out to the shoulder to look for deer and other dangers.
Good luck, and ride safe!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Easy. Go for a ride in the dark to a long straight remote road with a phillips screwdriver.
observe
stop and adjust to where you want the beam
ride, observe
adjust if needed.
so easy even a caveman can do it, I did !!
observe
stop and adjust to where you want the beam
ride, observe
adjust if needed.
so easy even a caveman can do it, I did !!
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, Fl
That's how I set mine. But I did removed trim ring at home for easier adjustments, also live out in the country so finding a dark road wasn't hard.
Best part is your light shines exactly where you want.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Did it the same way. Didn't even have to remove the ring as you can access the Philips screws with it in place.