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Post by bobf on Jul 23, 2011 15:07:31 GMT -6
Yesterday I was in my car and followed by a neighbor on a nice looking Harley. His left head light stood quite bright in my mirror but the right head light was pointed somewhere but not the same as his left.
So when I got home later I turned on my headlights of my MC 54 250B, and on the wall about 10 feet away I had a bright high beam left showing on the wall but the right was lower and right a bit. Retried that with the low beam headlights and it also showed the same. Left was lower than the high beam and the right was even lower and a bit to the right.
Are head lights adjustable? Is there a spec to be used? Not sure if what I have is appropriate or not.
I am sure there must be some opinions on this. Would like to hear them. Also, if there is a spec of some sort I would like to see that also.
I remember when auto headlights were required to fit a particular pattern and they were tested in annual safety tests. Now there doesn't seem to be any safety test and only a clean air test, if any.
Are motor cycles and scooters free of any headlight rules also?
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Post by JR on Jul 26, 2011 14:01:16 GMT -6
Sorry I haven't seen this Bob but as far as specs in Arkieland we used to have vehicle inspection but it was years ago and I do remember places that had the machines that a mechanic would shine the lights into and properly align them but man again that was years ago, we no longer have vehicle safety inspections here. Some states still do so I wouls think one could fine out at their local DMV office if there are any requirements for motorcycles or scooters. It's been a long time since I've had the front off of my 250B but I think one can adjust the lights some?  Just don't remember but I think there are some adjusting screws but if not I'm betting a guy could figure out had to change the aim of the lights, might be a hit and miss thing but if they're off like you say and you ride at night any I'd give it a try for sure. JR |
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Post by bobf on Jul 26, 2011 19:19:33 GMT -6
OK, thanks JR. I am in Colorado now but may be in Arizona in a couple months. I may just wait to see how things are down there.
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Post by JR on Jul 26, 2011 19:42:48 GMT -6
You're mighty welcome!
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Post by cruiser on Jul 26, 2011 22:38:32 GMT -6
The headlight adjusters use a 3 point connection to the headlight housing. Looking at JR's picture at the right headlight, you will see 3 Phillips heads screws with silver washers. These are the adjusters. The top right hand screw is the vertical adjuster and the bottom left hand screw is the horizontal adjuster. If the top screw is hard to get at or is frozen, you can use the two bottom screws adjusted equally to do a vertical adjustment.
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Post by shermanscoot on Jul 27, 2011 7:33:31 GMT -6
I have adjusted the headlights on my Rocketa 54 B using a small philips head ratching wrench I purchased from Sears. I positioned the front wheel of the scoot 17 feet from my garage door on its center stand. Make sure the front tire is touching the ground. Measure the distance from the floor to the center of the healight lens. Put a horizontal mark on the door two inches lower than the height of the headlight lens. Adjust the headlight beam vertically till the flat top of the beam is up to that line.
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Post by bobf on Jul 27, 2011 8:18:34 GMT -6
I have adjusted the headlights on my Rocketa 54 B using a small philips head ratching wrench I purchased from Sears. I positioned the front wheel of the scoot 17 feet from my garage door on its center stand. Make sure the front tire is touching the ground. Measure the distance from the floor to the center of the healight lens. Put a horizontal mark on the door two inches lower than the height of the headlight lens. Adjust the headlight beam vertically till the flat top of the beam is up to that line. That sounds like a good way to do it. Very familiar with the way we once did car headlights. My question now is, how do you do that? You must have to take off some covers to make it accessible. Doing them on the ground like JR showed doesn't make any sense. What is your system for doing this. Please. . |
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Post by shermanscoot on Jul 27, 2011 10:06:34 GMT -6
I took out the screws on the dashboard side so that I could slide the wrench and my hand down to the adjustment screws. You should be able to feel them on the back of the light housings. It was a tight fit but my hands are fairly large.You may have to take offthe front piece that covers the windshield also. Its been a few years since I did the adjustment (2008) Rocketa.
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Post by JR on Jul 27, 2011 11:18:53 GMT -6
Yes Shermanscoot is right Bob, I was just showing the light assembly with that picture. One would for sure want to adjust them with the front mounted.
Shermanscoot has for sure got the right idea, I'd do it just like he said. I've only rode one time at night so it isn't an issue with me but I'd be just like you want them adjusted right if I did.
JR
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Post by bobf on Jul 27, 2011 12:26:04 GMT -6
Thanks to all. Now I have a justification and purpose for my headlight aiming. I probably won't drive a lot a night myself. But in the winter the light goes away pretty early and I may be caught in some darkness.
Also, I am concerned about how bright the lights may shine in someones mirrors with me following. A hot spot in the mirror can be very aggravating too, day or night. Would like to make sure I have them pointed for vision but not so high as to burn mirrors.
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Post by bobf on Aug 28, 2011 13:17:54 GMT -6
Well, I have not adjusted the lights yet, but I did do some investigating. I can put my hands up from underneath and I found this.
On the left side, drivers left, I can feel the back of the lamp housing and I can push the one side toward the front. The left side is somehow mounted on a long rod that can swing the light housing. The center part is free.
On the right hand side I can feel the light housing but I can not move it at all. There also the lamp seems to have a rod that swings the lamp on the outside but the center doesn't and it is not free.
Sort of like maybe a adjuster screw is missing on the left side. Unfortunately the Rocketa Assembly drawings give no detail on the headlight assembly. Just a name and price.
This all sounds like one of those winter jobs. At least in Arizona I will be able to do it outside and not freeze to death like in Colorado.
Was wondering too, if coming up from underneath would be a good way to adjust the lights with the ratchet wrench mentioned in shermanscoot post above. If the adjustment screw is missing I hope I can get an equivalent screw, and maybe spring, at the hardware store. Oh dog gone it, this may take me into a tear down situation.
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