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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 06:09:44 AM

Title: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 06:09:44 AM
I noticed that my headlight was aimed high, so I loosened the two side bolts and found the sliding groove on the back right and loosened its bolt as well.  I aimed the headlight further down, but the housing of the headlight hits the turn signal stalks before the headlight is down far enough.  The lowbeam/highbeam line is still hitting the wall about four inches above center, and it won't move down anymore.  There is still room left in the rear adjustment slot.  Tires are properly inflated, and my preload is at 7.

Any suggestions?   :dunno_white:
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 24, 2006, 09:16:34 AM
Isn't there a screw on the light housing that adjusts the bulb within the housing too? I think? I'll look later tonight.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Egaeus on July 24, 2006, 09:26:24 AM
 I think that's only left-right adjustment.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:30:51 AM
I can't seem to get mine far enough UP. The 05 GS headlights suck. They illuminate about a 3x5 foot block of the road in front of me... They're about useless unless you have the high brights on, then you just end up pissing people off.  :laugh:


Speaking of headlights, I saw this bike the other night and his headlights were a deep deep (but bright) blue. I've never seen anything like it. Usually, colored headlights just kinda appear mildly tinted, but this thing was way out there.. Anyone have any idea where you can get something like that or headlights that are actually colored and not some weak tint that barely shows?
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: RVertigo on July 24, 2006, 01:02:42 PM
Aftermarket lights or signals?

Pics?

How is it hitting the turn signals?  Can they be moved around to get you more room?


On my '01, I can adjust the headlight so low it's totally useless and so high it shines in SUV mirrors. :dunno_white:
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 01:47:56 PM
The bottom of the headlamp bell is hitting two threaded rods protruding from the center of the turn signal stalks.  These rods protrude about an inch or so from the stalks, and they have wiring coming out of the center of them.

I'll take some pics when I get home from work.  For all I know, a previous owner didn't put something back together right when they worked on the bike.  I did recently notice that my taillight was mounted upside down.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: saxman on July 24, 2006, 02:11:52 PM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:30:51 AMSpeaking of headlights, I saw this bike the other night and his headlights were a deep deep (but bright) blue. I've never seen anything like it. Usually, colored headlights just kinda appear mildly tinted, but this thing was way out there.. Anyone have any idea where you can get something like that or headlights that are actually colored and not some weak tint that barely shows?
possibly a very high kelvin temp hid bulb... unfortunately as far as light output goes, they're pretty much useless
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: RVertigo on July 24, 2006, 02:18:18 PM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 01:47:56 PMThe bottom of the headlamp bell is hitting two threaded rods protruding from the center of the turn signal stalks.  These rods protrude about an inch or so from the stalks, and they have wiring coming out of the center of them.
An inch?  That doesn't sound right...

Like you said, something might be assembled incorrectly in there..........   
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: phire on July 24, 2006, 07:30:56 PM
Quote from: saxman on July 24, 2006, 02:11:52 PM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:30:51 AMSpeaking of headlights, I saw this bike the other night and his headlights were a deep deep (but bright) blue. I've never seen anything like it. Usually, colored headlights just kinda appear mildly tinted, but this thing was way out there.. Anyone have any idea where you can get something like that or headlights that are actually colored and not some weak tint that barely shows?
possibly a very high kelvin temp hid bulb... unfortunately as far as light output goes, they're pretty much useless

Well, the ones I saw amazed me. Usually light output is either crappy or there's no real visible color. But these... put out a ton of light AND were a deep rich blue.. Was very cool. Never seen anything like it.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: dgyver on July 24, 2006, 08:10:56 PM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 01:47:56 PM
.....  For all I know, a previous owner didn't put something back together right when they worked on the bike.  I did recently notice that my taillight was mounted upside down.   :laugh:

Actually it was probably meant to be upside down. It matches the lines of the tail better. You do loose the license plate light though.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: GeeP on July 24, 2006, 11:12:43 PM
Well at least I'm not the only one who wondered about that.  Interestingly, it can be mounted either way.  Look at the DOT approval lettering.  It's both "right side up" and "up side down" depending on which way you mount it. 

With a turn signal integrator things get complicated.  :icon_mrgreen: :icon_razz:
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Cal Price on July 25, 2006, 12:06:54 AM
I think you may have the bulb in upside down.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Admiral Crunch on July 25, 2006, 05:39:56 AM
Quote from: Cal Price on July 25, 2006, 12:06:54 AM
I think you may have the bulb in upside down.

When I'm in lowbeam, the bottom part of the wall is lit up, and when I switch to highbeam, it lights up the upper part as well.  I'm assuming that's correct?  Or could that happen even if the bulb's upside down?
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: RVertigo on July 25, 2006, 10:29:16 AM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 25, 2006, 05:39:56 AMI'm assuming that's correct?
Yup
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: RVertigo on July 31, 2006, 01:23:28 PM
Did you ever figure it out?
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Cal Price on July 31, 2006, 02:54:28 PM
No it's not correct, what you describe is upside down.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: RVertigo on July 31, 2006, 04:39:19 PM
???

I have to disagree with you Cal...  Low beams point more towards the ground and high beams point further down the road and higher up...  (Or at the trees if you're talking about my old bug).

Brights shouldn't be the low part of the wall.
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Happytrack44 on July 31, 2006, 06:37:55 PM
put more air in rear tire! Ride downhill! Let air out of front tire!
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: John Bates on July 31, 2006, 09:17:03 PM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 24, 2006, 06:09:44 AM
..............the housing of the headlight hits the turn signal stalks before the headlight is down far enough.  .................Any suggestions?   :dunno_white:

I had the same problem on my '92.   I ended up placing washers between the headlamp and mounting bracket.  This spread the turn signal stalks apart enough to drop the headlight down to the proper level.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Can't aim headlight low enough
Post by: Cal Price on August 01, 2006, 05:18:28 AM
Hmmmmm, On both my bikes the low or dipped beam lights the top half of the headlight and the rear reflector deflects the beam downwards whereas the full beam is the whole shooting match, both bikes passed annual M.o.T. test which includes lights, my money is still on bulb being arse-uppards, give it a try.