New Elka Stage 1 plus- shocks and headlight aiming

[Elembytes]

Hello:

I just bought my Elka Stage 1 Plus shocks yesterday and had them installed by my dealer. They were busy- and had a lot of things to do to my bike on to of the 600 mile service. I don't think they new that the headlights would have to be re-adjusted with the Elka's and the Shock relocate that I had done when I bought the RTS. (2012)

I didn't notice the change until I off-loaded the bike from the trailer last night when we got back from the dealer which was 3 hours away.

My question to you all, is it easy to adjust the headlights yourself or is it better to find someone who can do it?

The owners manual tells you how to check them but I cannot find where it tells you HOW to adjust them.

I don't care to blind others and certainly do NOT want to get pulled over by the Friendly Law enforcement authorities.

I am going to Spyderfest but I know everyone will be super busy and frantic with so many being there and this is my FIRST experience with SPYDERFEST. Just bought this bike in December 2012.

Any help or advice you can do for me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Reid

 

[Bumblebee67]

Yes, you do have to adjust the headlights after installing Elka's http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?48181-Elka-s-and-Headlight-question I have the GS/RS and it is very easy to adjust. Best I can remember all I had to do is line the Spyder up with a level surface ( i believe 30 feet away).There should be a little hole by the headlights, take a screwdriver and adjust accordingly. Put the beams between your lines you have drawn on the wall. Your manuel will tell you where to make your marks on the wall. Very easy.:thumbup:

 

[jthornton]

I wondered what the two brass knobs were under the left and right middle side covers... they are for adjusting the headlights.

John

 

[NancysToy]

You can do it yourself. The instructions are in your owners' manual. No need to be that scientific about it though. Pull up a way away from a garage wall or door, or the side of a building. Mark the center or edge of the existing pattern with a piece of masking tape or a chalk mark, then adjust the lights downward, making them even. The hit the road and try them. Go a little, then go back to the wall to adjust some more if they seem to high or low.

Another tip with projector lenses...ride with your high beams on in the daytime, to keep the lights from "flickering" as the edge of the beam goes in and out of the focus of oncoming traffic or in the mirrors of cars ahead.

 

[Elembytes]

Thank you ALL for your insight and help

Hello again:

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all your help and insight--when it stops raining and I get a chance I'll remove a cover or two and see what I can do on my own. It will be the first time I have popped any tupperware off my bike on my own!

Since mine is a 2012- don't know if there are screw adustments by the headlights or not.

I do recall seeing one of those brass knobs Saturday while the mechanic had the cover's off so will try that.

DO I NEED TO ADJUST THE FOG LIGHTS TOO? IF SO HOW DO I NEED TO TO THAT? (2012 RTS-SE5 MODEL HERE)

I LOOKED IN THE MANUAL---FOUND THE PLACE THAT TALKS ABOUT LINING IT UP 30 FEET FROM A WALL BUT NOT SEEING THE PARTS OF WHAT TO TURN, BRASS KNOBS OR SCREWS. WILL FIND OUT EVENTUALLY!

THANK YOU AGAIN!

REID

 

[Elembytes]

You can do it yourself. The instructions are in your owners' manual. No need to be that scientific about it though. Pull up a way away from a garage wall or door, or the side of a building. Mark the center or edge of the existing pattern with a piece of masking tape or a chalk mark, then adjust the lights downward, making them even. The hit the road and try them. Go a little, then go back to the wall to adjust some more if they seem to high or low.

Another tip with projector lenses...ride with your high beams on in the daytime, to keep the lights from "flickering" as the edge of the beam goes in and out of the focus of oncoming traffic or in the mirrors of cars ahead.

Thanks for the help Scotty- and I will try looking for the brass knobs. Saw one of them yesterday while the mechanic had to side panel off on the Left side.

How about the fog lights? Will I need to adjust them as well?

I normally have been running with my high beams on in the daytime as they told us to when I took my MSF class last October. I have heard of the shutter bouncing and some people think it is an emergency vehicle but hasn't happened to me yet.

Thank you for all you do for us newbies- and everyone else at Spyderlovers. Hope to maybe meet you at Spyderfest--if we all can find one another amongst the huge numbers.

Take care!

 

[NancysToy]

Foglights on a production RT are not readily adjustable.

 

[Bob Denman]

The fog lights are normally set pretty low... Letting them point a bit higher actually (In my case) seems to make them ore useful. :thumbup: