Changing Dipped Headlight Angle for Europe on a R1150GS

[Grizzly]

Last time I went to Euroland I didn't adjust the headlight direction, however this year I decided to use the facility to "twist" the dipped unit to angle left or right as described in the Technical Booklet supplied with the bike. I decided to have a "dry run" at home and although access to the clamp is straightforward I couldn't get any part of the dipped unit to move easily to put the stop pin next to clamp into it's alternative position. I didn't want to force things 'cos that would just end in tears!. have any of you GS'ers out there used this facility?, and , if so, could you clarify which part/parts actually should move?

 

[Professional Boxer]

slack the allen bolt most of the way off & use a screw driver to prise the two section part, now it should be easy to move

 

[Deak]

Bought my 'left hand drive' GS new from holland in 01 and first job when i arrived home was to adjust the headlight to right hand drive.
Wasn't as straight forward as first appeared.

Had to remove the screen and housing covering the light unit and then loosened the headlight mountings to pull out the light slightly. You can then relocate in the other position.

The only disadvantage with my setup is the headlight looks permanently cockeyed but it adds to the GS character!

 

[Grizzly]

Headlight Update

Thanks for above info guys, I have had another go and eventually succeded!. And once you know how it's a doddle - but the info in the handbook is mis-leading.
Once you slacken the clamp most of the way out, hold the lamp assy. front and back using two hands, try to rotate it and you'll feel something stopping it - and its not the small peg up beside the clamp because with the lamp in either position this peg is clear of any stops. It seems there is a locating peg between the fixed ring with the clamp and the ring fixed to the h/lamp at approx. the 9 o-clock posn. looking from the front so to rotate it as above also push/twist lamp back towards tank at 9 o-clock
area and it then rotates easily to the alternative position. When released it usually needs wiggled slightly until the hidden peg engages in its new position and both the above rings then return hard up against each other. This still doesn't sound very clear does it?, but give it a try and I think it will make sense.

Cheers, Grizzly

 

[adamski49]

What?

No, not much clearer than the book. I go to France at the end of June and have to do this myself - I was looking forward to some straight forward instructions

Never mind

Adam

 

[Banjaxed]

A thought...

Changing the headlight over isn't as easy as it sounds and is best performed in a nice, dry garage here in the UK (with a cup of tea and slice of cake). So, rather than struggle with the bleedin' thing in a Calais layby, change it over in the comfort of your garage, but a bit of black tape over the section of dipped light that points up the wrong way and when you get on the ferry, just whip off the bit of tape. Voila! I just stick the tape on the inside of the screen and then reuse it on the way back home after crossing back into Blighty...

 

[Professional Boxer]

no no no

IT REALLY IS EASY,

take the screen & silver instrument cover off,(all the tools you need are in the tool kit)

The larger of the two headlamps (dipped beam) has an allen bolt in the twelve o'clock postion, slacken this bolt off so only 2 thread show, use the screw driver ( also in the tool kit) to prise the gap apart, turn the headlamp through approx 15% !!!

replace all displaced parts, jobs a goodun'

 

[darren]

It is really easy once you know how. First time I did it was during the Eurotunnel on my way to France for my Greece trip last year. Just managed it and a quick pee and had to ride off the train with out my helmet on!!! Manual is misleading though! Prof. Boxer has it just right...just as it is.

 

[John Armstrong]

My 2p worth. I tried as per the manual on a 2002 GS and couldn't rotate it either. Mentioned it at its annual service and they found nothing wrong with the beam adjuster behind the headlight! A GS had its screens off and sure enough on that one all you had to do was as per the manual. After taking the front end to bits found the lug which is hidden from view and stops the whole thing rotating easily. Mine still has the invisible lug but if you slacken off the allen bolt and then wiggle the light unit about side to side eventually you can get it to rotate. All you have to make sure o,f is that the invisible lug is now lined ip in the EU hole!

Its best to take off the plastic fairing around the light and remove the whole light unit if you're still confused / can't rotate the light.

 

[JTalbut]

I followed the advice found here a long time ago and cut the lug off.
With that lug there I found it pretty much impossible to shift it.

When I did cut the lug off I left a little stump, so now it locates, but doesn't make it difficult to turn.

J.T.

 

[Jimb]

Unless you are planning to ride at night why bother to change it, its a positve advantage to have the light set for left hand drive that way the dozy buggers in cars can see you if they get a bit of a dazzle.

 

[Grizzly]

At last someone agrees wih me??

Thanks, John Armstrong and JTalbut for confirming what I was trying to describe somewhere above!. i.e. the hidden lug. John's method is the same as I used. I'm surprised Proffesional Boxer didn't know about this - he just kept saying how easy it was - just like it says in the handbook!! - bollocks! Grizzly

 

[waerloga]

After reading All the tips I thought I'd try before heading accross the channel took some photos as I did.
Then as I had this unused web space you can see the illustrated process at....

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/waerloga/

Hope this clarifies where words leave confusion

 

[bugeyes]

Can you show the pic of how you rotated the light fitting the link supplied does not work

 

[Taff]

Unless you are planning to ride at night why bother to change it .....

My feelings exactly. Maybe in an ideal world I should, but I've never changed mine in 6 trips abroad with the GS and I've not had a problem.

 

[delpel]

Just to add to the confusion

If you look at the bottom of the dipped beam unit, you will find another allen screw clamp. Loosen that as well and the headlight rotates left and right to the lug stops. Did mine and had no probs. I now have a wonky dipped light as well.

Regards

Del

 

[Cooky]

i really wouldn't bother. Been to France 3 times, never had a problem even with HID set up.