Headlight Adjustment
Banned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: at home
That's about right. It might be 36" (to the center of the beam). But if you want a little brighter light so you can be seen just angle it up a little more.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: longtown
aiming headlight
i do state inspections in north carolina and actually its 45 feet using a wall chart according to my local dmv.measure to the center of your headlight,it should be the same at the above mentioned 45 feet.as an example.if its 32 in at the headlight,it should be 32 in at the center of the beam on the wall.provided the floor is somewhat level.
Last edited by hawg50; Oct 10, 2011 at 09:38 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: winter spring,fl
I do mine this way. I marked a spot on my garage door the heigth of the center of my headlamp. Back bike up the 20' mark from garage door. Adjust headlamp to line up with mark. I adjust it just a little to the right of mark as to not blind oncoming traffic. I have an expantion joint in my driveway so I am lined up center both ways. X used to complain about the mark on driveway & garage door. No longer a problem there. JMO
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Harley manual says to be 25 ft from wall, measure from floor to the center of the headlight and mark the wall that height. then sit on your bike ( if you ride two up, both sit on bike ). Have girlfriend use a Phillips screw driver and adjust headlight lowbeam and/or spotlamps 2" 1/2 inches down from the mark.......good luck.
Last edited by drukanfu; Oct 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
The reason for aiming a little downward is so the beam isn't shining directly into the line-of-sight of oncoming traffic, while still providing you the light you need. Adjusting a touch to the right for the same reason is also not a bad idea.
You don't want someone coming at you blindly because your light is shining directly in their line-of-sight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
Varies according to model
1. Have the motorcycle standing on a level surface with tires correctly inflated about 25 feet from, and headed towards, a wall or screen upon which a horizontal line has been drawn at exactly the same height as the headlamp center. The motorcycle must be resting on both wheels and the front wheel must be in straight alignment.
NOTE: To properly adjust the headlamp it will be necessary to have someone of about the same weight as the rider seated on the motorcycle because the weight of the rider will compress the fork slightly.
2. Turn on light switch, set handlebar switch in high beam position, and check light beam for height and direction. The top of the main beam of light should register on the wall or screen even with, but no higher than, the horizontal line mentioned above.
1. Have the motorcycle standing on a level surface with tires correctly inflated about 25 feet from, and headed towards, a wall or screen upon which a horizontal line has been drawn at exactly the same height as the headlamp center. The motorcycle must be resting on both wheels and the front wheel must be in straight alignment.
NOTE: To properly adjust the headlamp it will be necessary to have someone of about the same weight as the rider seated on the motorcycle because the weight of the rider will compress the fork slightly.
2. Turn on light switch, set handlebar switch in high beam position, and check light beam for height and direction. The top of the main beam of light should register on the wall or screen even with, but no higher than, the horizontal line mentioned above.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
I do mine this way. I marked a spot on my garage door the heigth of the center of my headlamp. Back bike up the 20' mark from garage door. Adjust headlamp to line up with mark. I adjust it just a little to the right of mark as to not blind oncoming traffic. I have an expantion joint in my driveway so I am lined up center both ways. X used to complain about the mark on driveway & garage door. No longer a problem there. JMO
I do mine in pretty much the same manner.
From riding the bike, I know which way it seems to need adjustment. I stand the bike upright about 20' from the garage door using a lift raised just enough to accomplish that. Make pencil lines on the garage door marking the current location of the center of the beam and adjust accordingly. Sometimes it takes a few test rides to see if I have it where I want it.
I like mine adjusted a little on the high side for better view while on low beam. If I have a few approaching vehicles "flashing" me, then I figure it's about right. If I have a lot of them "flash" me then I know I need to adjust it down some and maybe a little to the right. Like I said, it takes a few rides to dial it in, but it works.
Last edited by dirtracin23; Oct 10, 2011 at 10:18 AM.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thank each and every one of you for your response. This heads me in the right direction. And I agree, I'll probably have to adjust once back on the road, but so much help in having a very good starting point. Thanks again to each one of you and ride safe.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i just get out on a flat road where there's little traffic and plenty of places to pull off. i then get out my phillips screwdriver and adjust to my liking. i did change over to the E-code headlight though and that does make a very noticeable improvement, but the aiming was done the same way as harley's stock headlamp.