Headlight alignment

[Guest]

I have what feels like a silly question: Are the headlights supposed to be lined up with the bike, or is there a bit of an offset to the left (from riding position)? I have been riding my bike for a while and just today I noticed that the headlight seems off kilter.

It seems to throw light where I need it, but it is possible that the brackets were tweaked enough to be visibly askew, but not beyond the range of adjustability.

[koolaid_kid]

It might be explained in your manual, but here is a link to the correct procedure, including distances.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0310_headlight_aiming/

[gsgeezer]

I also use the "garage door method". Makes it much easier than just guessing.

[Gibbelstein]

Cool, thanks for the link. I'll definitely be checking my alignment using that.

But, I should have been more clear with my question: The headlight alignment in the distance seems fine, but the headlight itself seems like it was physically moved an inch or two to the side. It is not centered between the forks. Here is a picture that shows it. It is 'slid' to the right an inch or so. I was just wondering if this was how they came or if my brackets are tweaked.

[koolaid_kid]

It should be centered, and clearly is not. Even more important to align the light.

[gsgeezer]

When I got my GS1000 the brackets were both tweaked. I straightened them and they are much better.

[bigskybldr]

Hopefully you can straighten your brackets without pulling them off your forks. I'd loosen the headlite bolts and see if you can tweak em back. If not, take the bucket off and see what might be bent.

[Gibbelstein]

Thanks for the input, guys. It didn't put up as much of a fight as I thought it might in trying to push it back where it belongs. So, I just need to verify that the alignment is where it needs to be.

Unfortunately, I found this out a few minutes ago when a girl almost hit me in a parking lot and I layed it down at almost zero mph and in my irritation I took the opportunity to push the headlight back to where it belongs.

So, now the light looks like it is where it belongs, but I have to replace a shattered turn signal lens. Perhaps I should have let the bike sleep in storage just one more day.

[tkent02]

Perhaps I should have let the bike sleep in storage just one more day.

Nah, she would try to hit you tomorrow just the same.

It's pretty much a constant occurance.

Maybe next time you won't let her startle you off your bike.

[Gibbelstein]

Maybe next time you won't let her startle you off your bike.

It's like you saw the whole thing! That was the worst part. Also, I was annoyed that the bread in my backpack was smashed. I'm in for some funky sandwiches now.

[eil]

My headlight looked like that, I found out it was because the bike had been down at one point and one of the ears was bent. Had to buy a new one. Glad you were able to just shove yours back into place, though.

[gsgeezer]

Also, I was annoyed that the bread in my backpack was smashed. I'm in for some funky sandwiches now.

gotta switch to hard rolls