Headlights

[MickUpi]

I just bought a 2006 Gl-1800 trike a few weeks ago. While riding the other night I noticed the headlights were shining up into the trees and not the road, at least not on bright. I knew about the 12mm plastic nuts that will adjust the headlights. This can be about a 3 minute job. I used a long extension on a small low torque slow running drill. See the picture. Lay on your back next to the fender and you can see the plastic nut next to the forks. I parked in front of my garage door and let the lights shine on it. The bars running across gave a good reference point. A quick adjustment got my lights down on the road, I hope. I'll test them on my next night ride.

[NC Triker]

I had a 2006 GL1800. On the console on the left side was a dial that would electrically adjust the lights to the desired level.

[Phu Cat]

Mick, If I remember right, the headlight should be centered on a spot 2 1/2 feet off the ground at a 20 ' distance. Then you can fine tune it for what you like while riding (long as it's not too high).

PC

[MickUpi]

Thanks for the tip.

[MickUpi]

Thanks NC Tracker, I tried using the knob you spoke about but it would not bring the lights down. They were pointing at airplanes. I wonder how it is possible for headlights to get that bad out of adjustment.

[tfdeputydawg]

HEADLAMP AIM PROCEDURE







Proper headlamp aim is achieved by adjusting the upper(high) beams.

Bike needs to be on a level floor, standing upright, loaded as you normally ride. (re, 1up-you for most), with pre load set as you ride 1up, placed 25' from a wall to the headlamp lens in front of the upper beam. I would suggest the auto adjust dial be set in the middle position for this aiming.

Measure the distance from the floor up to the center of the upper beam bulbs. Mark this height on the wall and draw a horizontal line at this height.

Sight a point on the wall that is on the centerline of the bike. Draw a vertical line on the wall placed on this center line.

turn on the upper beams.

Cover one of the headlamps.

Use the manual adjusters accessed under the front of the fairing.

Adjust the vertical until the hot spot of the upper beam bulb is just under the horizontal line on the wall.

Adjust the horizontal until the upper beam hot spot is just to the right of the vertical line on the wall.

Cover the headlamp just completed, and repeat procedure on the other headlamp.

Make a small mark on the auto adjust panel so you can return to the 1up setting.

Now have both headlamps uncovered and have the usual passenger you carry sit on the bike w/you, set the preload for 2up, and dial in the auto adjust dial for proper aim and mark that position on the panel by the dial. You can repeat this for loaded 1up, loaded 2up, trailer, etc.

You get what you get for low beam aim depending on how good the headlamp design was to start with!