Masking headlight for Europe

[wildbeeste]

I have searched and cannot find an answer.
My old 1150GS headlight could be rotated for driving in Europe
The 1200GSA (2009) cannot be rotated.
The manual says see a dealer to get it done
My dealer says mask it up.
There are marks on the glass at the edges which seem to be useful for putting electricians tape on to mask it up
Nobody seems to bother doing this. Why?
If I did do it would the tape melt onto the plastic/glass and give me a big bill for replacement?

Thanks for any suggestions including stupid ones.

 

[Mav]

Done around 10,000 miles in Europe and never bothered doing it and no-one has ever stopped me or even flashed me (so to speak )

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I've never had a problem except in some of the long Norwegian tunnels. Then I could tell I was seriously dazzling oncoming trucks.
Not a good idea.....in a tunnel.
Get a deflector of ebay, they only costs pennies.

 

[elevensies]

i use elctricians tape, no it wont melt, and as your putting it on glass, its easy to clean anyway.

 

[wildbeeste]

i use elctricians tape, no it wont melt, and as your putting it on glass, its easy to clean anyway.

This is so simple but it is doing my head in
I have been told my two motorcycle mechanics totally different things
ONE: Mask up the LOWER Left Hand Side (LHS) as that is the bit that shines into oncoming motorists eyes
TWO; Mask up the Lower Right Hand side as that is the bit that shines into the motorist's eyes

Now logically I should be masking up the UPPER LHS as that is the bit that seems to illuminate trees and thus dazzle oncoming motorists.

I am leaving tomorrow morning and it was only when I got the tape out that I started to get confused.

Help or else I will leave it like Mav and just not drive at night

 

[Loiq]

I'm sure it's the right side as your facing the lens/ light. I've never bothered bloody foreigners serves'em right for driving on the wrong side of the road.

 

[WorthingWelsh]

Never bothered.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

This is so simple but it is doing my head in
I have been told my two motorcycle mechanics totally different things
ONE: Mask up the LOWER Left Hand Side (LHS) as that is the bit that shines into oncoming motorists eyes
TWO; Mask up the Lower Right Hand side as that is the bit that shines into the motorist's eyes

Now logically I should be masking up the UPPER LHS as that is the bit that seems to illuminate trees and thus dazzle oncoming motorists.

I am leaving tomorrow morning and it was only when I got the tape out that I started to get confused.

Help or else I will leave it like Mav and just not drive at night

Mask up the bit between the bulb and the oncoming drivers eyes.
....or get onto ebay and buy a deflector.

 

[Timolgra]

This is so simple but it is doing my head in
I have been told my two motorcycle mechanics totally different things
ONE: Mask up the LOWER Left Hand Side (LHS) as that is the bit that shines into oncoming motorists eyes
TWO; Mask up the Lower Right Hand side as that is the bit that shines into the motorist's eyes

Now logically I should be masking up the UPPER LHS as that is the bit that seems to illuminate trees and thus dazzle oncoming motorists.

I am leaving tomorrow morning and it was only when I got the tape out that I started to get confused.

Help or else I will leave it like Mav and just not drive at night

Nobody really bothers but if your that fussed just wait til it's dark, put your lights on dip and hold a piece of card to give the result you want then tape it.
Didn't you watch Blue peter

 

[Kremmen]

When headlamps used prism ed glass it was easy to find the hot points & cut off areas ....now that the reflectors are facited to do the job the only way you can accurately find out where the cut off point is with using a "beam setter"

As with the last post don't bother...

 

[wildbeeste]

Nobody really bothers but if your that fussed just wait til it's dark, put your lights on dip and hold a piece of card to give the result you want then tape it.
Didn't you watch Blue peter

Great idea
I will take the sticky back plastic with me
I expect though I will lose interest and not bother

 

[elevensies]

sorry, but without sounding like im patronising you,



have a great trip, and worry not

 

[Gabby]

As above...never bothered and never had any trouble.

 

[Hustler]

I live here in la belle France and one of my bikes still sports a UK headlight with no masking so leave it and worry not.
In case you didn't know headlights should always be on in France.
Bon voyage.
*edit* It would seem you've already left so worry not.

 

[Micky]

Been touring abroad on various 'bikes, years ago I masked off the headlight glass but don't bother these days, not for many a year!

Don't bother, enjoy the trip

 

[STUBBS]

never bothered ever had any hassle

 

[t'other dave]

Put bike 2ft from the wall, turn on headlight look at the kick-up then use a bit of card or your fingers and move about on the light lense till you make the kick -up go..
Or as said dont bother no one else does.

 

[Richard M]

Is this of any help?

 

[Riktus]

For anyone wanting the correct patern and placement go to Rainbow Motorcycles website and to links and then headlamp masks
http://rainbowmotorcycles.com/

I didnt bother on my last trip to France and got pulled only 20 miles from Calais - the Gendarme never asked about lense masking just interested in my papers - all was OK and was on my way after a few minutes.

Rik

 

[Boffer]

Is this of any help?

Note that this is for right to left lane conversion. If you look at the reflecter you will seee thats its the european version (well at least the opposite to that fitted to my bike!!)