Adjusting Headlights: By richardthescooter3 (Read 830 times)

[richardthescooter3]

Does anyone know how to adjust headlights, I just upgraded from 25w to 35, the other night coming home, I couldn't see the way I wanted, like they needed adjusted up and more separated, so when turning screw clockwise is the bottom going up or down?

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[JR]

Richard on that one if I said anything I would be guessing. But I know some here. can answer your question.

JR

[bobf]

My question too JR. I posted the problems I am having getting the front cover back on two days ago and have used the search method to find what I am sure is somewhere on this forum. About a year or so back there was one very detailed description of how to align the head lights. It gave directions in height of lite centers, distance back from a reflecting wall, center line of the bike and carried to the wall for centering, and some description of right or left leaning direction of the beams.

I am ready for this information right now but still would like some tips from someone who has reinstalled this front panel of a MC 54 250. Must be thousands of them in use so at least a few have had the front panel off and reinstalled. My problem location is the wrap around portion behind the front wheel. The holes are not aligned and difficult to work with using my left hand. After much time I got the left side connected with screws but the right side is near impossible to reach for me, let alone line up the holes and insert a screw.

Any help ideas would be great Both for head light aiming and putting the panel back on at the front bottom.

thescooterprofessor.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=discussion&action=display&thread=1851
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[richardthescooter3]

Bob, I know those front screws behind the front wheel are a pain take out all the screws that hold the plastic on. 4 screws behind from wheel and two long bolts under front plastic above tire and two bolts in front that holds the front on, and there is two screws on floor board to take out, they are the one on the out side. and pull your connecters to the headlight and turn singles off.

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[bobf]

Thanks Richard, I have already done all that and am now trying to get things back together. Stuck on getting the two screws into the right side of the panel, What you described would be the removal process. I think, Or are you suggesting that I undo everything and then try to get those two screw installed.

I have not spent much time on it today but may have some time tomorrow if not too hot. It is 107 today. What I tried to do today was push a stiff wire into the hole and tried to get it to line up with the Tinnerman nut. Just did not happen yet, Still worth another try as I was thinking that if one hole was pulled into position then the other hole would be real close too.

Any other comments or clarifications of your post would be appreciated.
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[richardthescooter3]

Bob, Those two screws, on the dash side or front, got any pic's?

[bobf]

Richard, those two screws are the ones you already mentioned as being behind the front wheel. I have two on the left side of the scoot inserted and tight. Now I am struggling with the two on the right side of the scoot, still behind the front wheel. No I don't have any pics of this area. The panel gets screwed to the air scoop item.

I am thinking I need to loosen up the panel on the right side so I can get to the Tinnerman nuts and make sure they are tight and over the hole in the plastic. If they are not well aligned there is no way to get the screws to align and clamp the two parts. So I may take time tomorrow to loosen the plastic a bit so I can get my hands in there to check the nuts. Not today as I have things to do this morning and by the time we do the banking, shopping, etc., the heat will be on again. We start at about 95 and then go up. Yesterday it was 107, not sure for today but anything over 100 is a bit much for me.
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[richardthescooter3]

Bob, I won't take off the plastic, these screws your taking about are those that go into the black plastic in front of your radiator, I would use a car jack to lift plastic on that side until there lined up, then you can put the screws in. I just use one hand to hold it (very difficult) and the other hand with the screw. (The ideal situation would be to have a helper) If you lived closer I'd be glad to come and help.

[bobf]

Well I finally got those two screws back in.

Today I finally finished getting those last two screws into the front panel behind the wheel. Three days of working on it for an hour or two each day with no success. Was talking with the wife about it and made a comment about the factory. I said I bet they use some form of tooling to hold everything in place till they get the screws inserted. That got me to thinking.

So I went back to the garage at over 100 temp. Took a long and slim Phillips screwdriver and pushed it through the plastic and also the part with the tinnerman nut on it. Then took a needle nose vise grip over both to hold them together. Pulled the Phillips screwdriver and everything stayed in place. Inserted a screw and tightened it up. Then for the lower one I was able to insert the screwdriver through the holes. No place for the clamp so with one hand held panel in place, pulled the screwdriver, got a screw inserted, then with a larger screwdriver I was able to push down on the screw and get a few turns going before letting pressure off. It took a few turns and tightened up. Success at last. Primitive tooling but it did help a lot. Now tomorrow I hope to end the panel installation and get a look at wiring and such while it is open. Also want to do a headlight adjustment before I put the top panel and the windshield and cover back on. I hope for a drop in temperatures in another week or two so that I can start riding again. At least in the mornings.
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[richardthescooter3]

Congrats Bob, I knew you would find away to get the job done