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Adjusting the level of the headlight
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:52 pm
by Guest
I've just recently have gone out at night for a ride for the first time. I've noticed when I was riding outside city lights that my headlight on my r1150r is positioned too low, even when I put on highbeam, it still too low. How can we adjust the headlight level higher??? How do I remove that little side cover by the headlight to get to the screws to lower the headlight???
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:55 pm
by yjleesvrr
Guest - the Roadster's headlight is positioned by friction, believe it or not. All you have to do is grab the big headlight with your hands and tilt it up or down to position the beam where you want it.
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:01 pm
by italr1150r
WOW! Thanks alot! It's just that I was reading the owner's manual, and they said you have to take off the side cover, the unscrew a few screws to lower the headlight.
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:55 pm
by gel9001
Yep, you're never supposed to move the headlight without loosening retaining bolts. If you do, you'll wear out with time the rubber hardware that holds it in place.
If your bike is new and headlight is not pointing correctly it may have been accidently jabbed and moved. My own has shifted a few times. Its a great question though, what is a quick way to return the headlight to its factory installed position.
Gene
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:57 pm
by Oilhead
Damn I didn't know that either! I have adjusted my headlight a few times and I always went through the whole procedure listed in the manual. I just went to my garage and despite the fact that I tightened those screws the last time I adjusted them, the headlight goes up and down by moving it with my hand.

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:57 pm
by yjleesvrr
FYI, my Roadster is now 3 years old with 31k miles on the odo and the headlight still stays put. I try not to adjust my headlight too much. I think the last time I adjusted it was about 6k miles ago.
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 9:19 pm
by gel9001
Could be guest' headlight was moved inadvertently. If you wheelie, the headlight has been known to shift down on touchdown. Point is, you're not supposed to just grab it and move it up. You're supposed to loosen fasteners first. The manual shows the procedure for resetting it, but its a pita. Perhaps taking a carpenter's level and placing it on the headlight face to check if its plumb while someone holds the bike up.
My 2 cents
Gene
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:06 pm
by Gord
My headlight was too low from the day I took possession. I had my bike back for its regular servicing and I had all the bits apart when I installed my PIAA lights. Do you think I asked the dealer to fix my problem or do it myself. NO! Idiot! (to quote Napoleon Dynamite). I think I know what I will do tomorrow...
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:54 pm
by FGanger
I'm with yjleesvrr on this. All I've ever done to adjust the type of headlight on our R bikes is just grab it and place it where you want. The type built in to fairings, etc. are quite different.
50,000 miles on my R bike and there is no moving of the headlight by itself. I do need to adjust mine for different loads (pop-up camper, two-up, and solo) and that is all.
Frank