Home › Forums › Motorcycle Tech Talk › Right hand drive headlight adjustment?

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  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    18/04/2012 at 11:37 pm
    Post count: 88
    #4020

    Has anyone had any experience in adjusting the headlight throw for driving in countries where they drive on the right? The manual says “Have the headlight set up accordingly by a specialist workshop.”One specialist workshop has said to use sticky tape across part of the lens? Seems a bit mickey mouse for a five month trip through the Americas.  ???Any thoughts?Thanks,Kennif

    Richard Kuysten
    Participant
    19/04/2012 at 12:43 am
    Post count: 623
    #16660

    Darryl who is currently posting Northland rides has shipped his bike to the states a couple of times and might be worth a PM.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    19/04/2012 at 11:01 am
    Post count: 72
    #16661

    Some bikes have the “old” type headlight that is symetrical beam ( straight or level ) . No probs either side of the road , but asymetrical has a beam that shines higher to the off side of the road on low beam. Afraid to say but one good reason to hire a bike or buy / sell one over there to do your touring. Is the bike's lights any good because taping up is surely to make them worse. Good luck however you solve the problem Ken and enjoy without worries.

    Anonymous
    Guest
    19/04/2012 at 4:55 pm
    Post count: 2134
    #16662

    Some European countries allow the fix with sticky tape, which you can see here, Ken: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689849A certain BMW rider from Waitakere, who will remain nameless (but is called John) used that solution for his wife's Yamaha - don't know how he got WOF's though.Not sure if the parts of the world you are going to will allow that solution, and from my own experience of a certain Baby Burgman that had the original headlight for the Italian market, it's a real buggar to ride at night when you can't see the edge of the road. (Suzuki NZ sorted that one out for us when the dealer balked, just as well, because assymetric headlights are extemely expensive.) If you could bear the cost of a new headlight it would definitely be a (bad pun alert!) bright idea if you anticipate much dark time riding.

    Dave Ross
    Keymaster
    19/04/2012 at 5:47 pm
    Post count: 2310
    #16663

    Swapping the handle bars to the other side is not cheap either. 🙂

    Arne Rohde
    Participant
    20/04/2012 at 4:23 am
    Post count: 436
    #16664

    I seem to recall that some BMW bikes had a small lever to change from left to right asymmetry. Maybe the 1100GS or 1150GS? It just turned the reflector slightly so the horizontal part of the light beam was to the left or the right. Really neat and simple solution.

    Richard Kuysten
    Participant
    20/04/2012 at 5:24 am
    Post count: 623
    #16665

    Do you plan to ride after dark much? can't see the scenery y'know.  Anyway by the time the sun is over the yard arm you should be parking up and relaxing with the locals  8)

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    20/04/2012 at 11:36 pm
    Post count: 88
    #16666

    Thanks for all the replies – I guess I am left with the info in the manual that it is possible but should be done by an authorised agent. We decided early on to take our own bikes rather than buying in the US – mainly because of the stories we have heard of bikes with US regos and carnets getting the cold shoulder from some South American countries. Sticky tape seems a bit mickey mouse really, especially when you consider that Mr Muesli and I plan to ride from Canada – US – Canada – US – Mexico – Guatemala – El Salvador – Honduras – Nicaragua – Costa Rica – Panama – Colombia – Ecuador – Peru – (Bolivia maybe) – Chile – Argentina. Phew! Kennif

    Richard Kuysten
    Participant
    20/04/2012 at 11:55 pm
    Post count: 623
    #16667

    That's an impressive list Ken, well done and good luck.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    21/04/2012 at 10:00 am
    Post count: 289
    #16668

    Have a look at the detail in the manual, I was under the impression it's simply a screw on the unit? Obviously not the one for height.Since I was in the USA for less than 90 days, I didn't have to do anything, except simply bring the bike in and ride it.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    21/04/2012 at 10:29 pm
    Post count: 88
    #16669

    Hi GremlinWhat I quoted earlier is all the manual says. I wonder if there is more detail in a Haynes manual? I don't have one for the 2011 Triple Black - anyone able to help?Thanks,Kennif

    Richard Kuysten
    Participant
    21/04/2012 at 10:43 pm
    Post count: 623
    #16670

    Can you find anything here Ken.http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657426

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    23/04/2012 at 1:25 am
    Post count: 88
    #16671

    Thanks Malcom – no joy there I'm afraid. Lots about height adjustment but nothing about switching from left dip to right (or vice versa.) I attach a picture of the headlight schematic. i can't see anything in there that you could adjust for the throw.Kennif

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    23/04/2012 at 2:00 am
    Post count: 289
    #16672

    Finally been home and able to check my manual… sure enough, it just says get your motorrad dealer to set it up. Suggest talking to your dealer then, explain you have to do it often, and how it's done. They should be reasonable enough to explain? If not, I'm sure if I ask Experience they would tell me what the go is.I could swear I thought there was something about another adjustment screw on the bottom of the headlight, but perhaps not...

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    23/04/2012 at 2:23 am
    Post count: 88
    #16673

    Thanks GremlinHad a chat with Long John Silver yesterday - you've been out having fun! I don't think we will have to make the adjustment to the headlights often. I think all the countries we pass through are right hand drive. I just don't want any hassle at borders having to prove that the bike is compliant. We are giving the bikes their final service at Experience in June before crating up. But it was Experience that suggested the stickytape solution I think.Cheers,Kennif

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