Just learned about this on some dark country roads, couldn't see more than 5 ft in front of me, finally after some time and alot a luck I grabbed the head light at a stop to see if I could move it and yes I could fail easy. I aimed it up which made a world of difference and by the time I got home it had vibrated down agin, so I am tighting it now
I've witnessed this on more bikes than I can count. Headlight aim is supposed to be checked at annual PA state inspection. PA actually issues a 'target' to official inspection stations that yer supposed to use, but I've never seen anyone do it. And yes, big diff in H4 vs LED. I've heard people complain that their H4 wasn't bright enough and went to LED, and made matters worse. A friend bought a set from HD and installed them. We went to a warehouse parking lot nearby, parked our bikes side by side and pointed them at the wall at different distances at dusk to see the diff. It was also very humid and slightly foggy. First off, LEDs do not 'pitch a beam' like H4s. I run a 65/100 H4 bulb in my '97 FLHP and two other bikes. The bright beam my H4 throws is much brighter and focused than the 'cloud' that LED set-up puts out. Especially at longer distances. I actually aimed it a bit low and haven't gotten flashed or pulled over. And yes, it will change when a passenger gets on with soft shocks! NO FAT CHICKS! Wasn't a problem with rigid frames.
The one item I would like to point out is about the OEM Harley Daymaker LED lamps, as the placement of the two projectors needs to be redesigned. When aiming these per the factory manual on high beam, your low beam will be pointing farther down on the road and significantly reduce forward lighting on low beam. It has been this way since they first introduced the LED lights in 2010, as I installed them on my 08 Road King and the 13 Road Glide, and then they were standard on my 15 Limited and my current 18 CVO Limited. All of them did the same, when aiming by the manual on high beam the low beam essentially fried ants right in front of the bike and that pencil beam high beam is useless. Having sold high end lighting since the 1980's (Cibie, Hella) the best way to aim is using the low beam with the Daymaker and as you state 25'; back from the wall and load the bike, but measure to the low beam projector and mark off your wall 2.25" below C/L of the low beam projector and aim the top of the cutoff line on the LED to that. You will see a MASSIVE improvement in effective forward illumination on low beam without glaring oncoming traffic, however the already useless high beam now will light up the tree tops. But them how often are you able to use the high beams anyway. I swapped out my Harley Daymaker for the Custom Dynamics light, even though both are made by JW Speaker, C/D's design has their high beam projectors aimed properly in the housing and when I aim the low beam in the same manner, the CD high beam is oh my gawd bright!!
Thank you! You’re right, most of us are daytimes. Occasionally, I get home late and have to worry about cattle & horses on the road. I’m going to get this checked out pronto.
How about adjusting for high beam? I use high beam all the time with aux lights and it seems good. If you adjust the low beam the high beam is in the trees. I don't need to see in the trees. 2017 FLHTK. I understand the loaded vs unloaded problem but the suspension is adjusted wrong if it's a problem unless you're overloaded. The adjustment is for sag and should be set for the load. Proper adjustment of suspension requires no headlamp adjustment. That's of course for adjustable suspension.
I go to a dead end road in my neighborhood, at night. Take my tools and adjust to optimal light for me. Could use any road really, less traveled that is. Tried in my garage, dark road just worked better for me.
Great tip. I've lost significant amount of weight since I last checked my headlight adjustment. A good time to check this adjustment is after cleaning the inside of headlight. Also, I've added this to my 14 Point Inspection list.
Thanks Doc, So true. I'm a day rider. until last night. Was out for ride with my wife and ended up riding home after dark. OMG even with my high beans on, it was hard to see the road. My light was way to low. that's when I realized, I changed my back shocks last year with a longer shock raising the back end, and with the shocks adjust near the top when wife is along for the ride. the back of the bike is much higher now . I'm going out to the garage to fix that now. from now on when ever I change the suspension setting on the bike, I'm going to check the head light aim on the bike. An hour long ride in the dark on a highway known for moose and deer was not much fun when you can't see the road.
Doc, your fantasy to watch with all good motor skills . I've been watching you for a good long time. An I've performed a few of your engineering trat to My old 95' flhtcui MM 30th anniversary . External air breather. Thanks keep up the good work.
Hello Doc ! I have a question about intake leaks. If one plug is dark colored and the other plug is light colored...where is the leak ? the dark rich side or the light lean side ? I didn't know how to reach you so I just put this on the headlight adjust video. This is a really cool diagnostic tool that I learned on another channel and for me it was right on. I need all the help I can get and I really love learning new wrenching tricks. Thank you for your channel !
If you suspect an Intake air leak, Both seals will be replaced. a color difference can also point to a failing coil, injector, tune, piston rings, valve seals and more. The M8 Plastic like manifold can warp and no matter how many seals you replace, a leak will be present. keep striving to learn....Doc
I cant get my passing lights not to be blinding when riding with them on. I want them to be on all the time. Are they not adjustable on the 2018 Street Glides? Please advise!
thanks for the info. i have air ride on the rear of my road king and i've adjusted the light as far as they can go and i'm still blinding people on the road. is there anything else i can do?
Under the fairing where you can reach the 3 green mounts. You use a very small metric socket I believe a 4mm. To rotate to move the light assembly up and left to right…Doc
Doc please help. Could you do a video on a rear fender of an 08 touring model. Just got it back from a body shop and trying to put it back together. Thank you for all the great videos.
@LowCountryHarleyDavidson oh cool I have the manual from when bike was purchased I can't seem to get it to earth properly I think the bowl needs to touch the mounting block thankyou for your reply I appreciate it
My bike’s headlight is out of alignment. I tried to adjust it but I don’t have a good location to do this so it looks like I’ll have to pay the local dealership to do it.😢
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Agree with Doc, you must have ridden with somebody at some time. Get together and look at all the bikes one evening. Then go for a ride together to check out your group handiwork.
Thank you Doc for pointing out things we easely forget.
Thanks Doc just installed LEDs on my Road King this helps
Great video again Doc Harley. Information is presented so its easy to understand
Thanks Doc. Very enlightening!!
Good one D1...Doc
Fantastic video Doc! You actually covered two of my bikes. Somehow I missed this video. Lol. Keep up the great content.
Just learned about this on some dark country roads, couldn't see more than 5 ft in front of me, finally after some time and alot a luck I grabbed the head light at a stop to see if I could move it and yes I could fail easy. I aimed it up which made a world of difference and by the time I got home it had vibrated down agin, so I am tighting it now
Great video Doc. They help be seen as well.
Great work as always Doc, thank you!
My pleasure!
👍👍👍 thanks Doc. Always appreciated.
Doc, your a wealth of knowledge! Thank you for all the video's 😃
Glad you like them...Doc
I've witnessed this on more bikes than I can count. Headlight aim is supposed to be checked at annual PA state inspection. PA actually issues a 'target' to official inspection stations that yer supposed to use, but I've never seen anyone do it. And yes, big diff in H4 vs LED. I've heard people complain that their H4 wasn't bright enough and went to LED, and made matters worse. A friend bought a set from HD and installed them. We went to a warehouse parking lot nearby, parked our bikes side by side and pointed them at the wall at different distances at dusk to see the diff. It was also very humid and slightly foggy.
First off, LEDs do not 'pitch a beam' like H4s. I run a 65/100 H4 bulb in my '97 FLHP and two other bikes. The bright beam my H4 throws is much brighter and focused than the 'cloud' that LED set-up puts out. Especially at longer distances. I actually aimed it a bit low and haven't gotten flashed or pulled over.
And yes, it will change when a passenger gets on with soft shocks! NO FAT CHICKS!
Wasn't a problem with rigid frames.
We love Doc Harley.
Thanks Doc I really have to check mine.
Thanks Doc. I've been out thinking of going to a led headlight on my 2017 flhx. This will help.
Thank you Doc, appreciate you sharing your tips and knowledge!!
Thanks Doc!!!! You sir have enLIGHTen me once again.... maybe my future will be brighter and will be shown a clearer path at night.....😎
I SAW what you did there....:)..Doc
Great tips. Almost everybody don´t remember head ligths until need to use them.
The one item I would like to point out is about the OEM Harley Daymaker LED lamps, as the placement of the two projectors needs to be redesigned. When aiming these per the factory manual on high beam, your low beam will be pointing farther down on the road and significantly reduce forward lighting on low beam. It has been this way since they first introduced the LED lights in 2010, as I installed them on my 08 Road King and the 13 Road Glide, and then they were standard on my 15 Limited and my current 18 CVO Limited. All of them did the same, when aiming by the manual on high beam the low beam essentially fried ants right in front of the bike and that pencil beam high beam is useless. Having sold high end lighting since the 1980's (Cibie, Hella) the best way to aim is using the low beam with the Daymaker and as you state 25'; back from the wall and load the bike, but measure to the low beam projector and mark off your wall 2.25" below C/L of the low beam projector and aim the top of the cutoff line on the LED to that. You will see a MASSIVE improvement in effective forward illumination on low beam without glaring oncoming traffic, however the already useless high beam now will light up the tree tops. But them how often are you able to use the high beams anyway. I swapped out my Harley Daymaker for the Custom Dynamics light, even though both are made by JW Speaker, C/D's design has their high beam projectors aimed properly in the housing and when I aim the low beam in the same manner, the CD high beam is oh my gawd bright!!
Thank you! You’re right, most of us are daytimes. Occasionally, I get home late and have to worry about cattle & horses on the road. I’m going to get this checked out pronto.
Cattle and Horses? I thought we had it bad with cats and dogs:)..Doc
The often forgot about maintenance…. Thanks Doc!
Thanks Doc
Awesome. Your videos are always helpful
I always hope so....Doc
Thanks Doc!
Hi Doc , thank you so much for your advise !!! Really helpful 👍
Great video doc
Thank you much for the info. Another great tip!
Thank you for taking the time to watch....Doc
Thanks Doc. A relatively simple procedure to give you the best riding safety at night.
Once again great advice Doc 💥
Thank you for watching...Doc
How about adjusting for high beam? I use high beam all the time with aux lights and it seems good. If you adjust the low beam the high beam is in the trees. I don't need to see in the trees. 2017 FLHTK. I understand the loaded vs unloaded problem but the suspension is adjusted wrong if it's a problem unless you're overloaded. The adjustment is for sag and should be set for the load. Proper adjustment of suspension requires no headlamp adjustment. That's of course for adjustable suspension.
Thanks for adding your experience tech tip….Doc
Good point. Thanks
I go to a dead end road in my neighborhood, at night. Take my tools and adjust to optimal light for me. Could use any road really, less traveled that is. Tried in my garage, dark road just worked better for me.
Thanks for sharing. Sometimes Life's experiences work!...Doc
Outstanding information.
Thank you Tom....
Doc
Doc you Rock!
Thanks Doc.
Very welcome…..Doc
Good information.
Thanks for watching….Doc
Great tip. I've lost significant amount of weight since I last checked my headlight adjustment. A good time to check this adjustment is after cleaning the inside of headlight. Also, I've added this to my 14 Point Inspection list.
Thanks for your report...Doc
Thanks Doc, So true. I'm a day rider. until last night. Was out for ride with my wife and ended up riding home after dark. OMG even with my high beans on, it was hard to see the road. My light was way to low. that's when I realized, I changed my back shocks last year with a longer shock raising the back end, and with the shocks adjust near the top when wife is along for the ride. the back of the bike is much higher now . I'm going out to the garage to fix that now. from now on when ever I change the suspension setting on the bike, I'm going to check the head light aim on the bike. An hour long ride in the dark on a highway known for moose and deer was not much fun when you can't see the road.
Thanks David for sharing your story....Doc
Doc, your fantasy to watch with all good motor skills . I've been watching you for a good long time. An I've performed a few of your engineering trat to My old 95' flhtcui MM 30th anniversary . External air breather. Thanks keep up the good work.
Good reminder!
Boom! Thank you!
Thanks for the informative video doc. Can you do a video on clutch adjustment on an FXFB FATBOB 107 please.
I have a video on adjusting the M8 cable...Doc
I couldn't imagine only being a daytime rider...
Thanks doc. Needed that. Stay well my friend. John frm fla. Great vid.
Thank you always for tuning in...Doc
Doc didn't cover how to adjust the passing lights on the Heritage Softail
Док, спасибо большое! Как всегда, всё супер!!! 👍👍👍
Hey Doc, what about auxiliary lamps? What should the alignment/aiming point be for them?
I thought about including those. Maybe a future video...Doc
Thanks Doc! 👍👍🇨🇦
Thank you!!!!!!!
Hello Doc ! I have a question about intake leaks. If one plug is dark colored and the other plug is light colored...where is the leak ? the dark rich side or the light lean side ? I didn't know how to reach you so I just put this on the headlight adjust video. This is a really cool diagnostic tool that I learned on another channel and for me it was right on. I need all the help I can get and I really love learning new wrenching tricks. Thank you for your channel !
If you suspect an Intake air leak, Both seals will be replaced.
a color difference can also point to a failing coil, injector, tune, piston rings, valve seals and more. The M8 Plastic like manifold can warp and no matter how many seals you replace, a leak will be present.
keep striving to learn....Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks for getting back Doc...always eager to learn new things
The Day Maker or a copy is my advise!
I cant get my passing lights not to be blinding when riding with them on. I want them to be on all the time. Are they not adjustable on the 2018 Street Glides? Please advise!
Yes they are adjustable. Instructions found on page8-47 of your Harley-Davidson Service Manual…..Doc
Hey Doc
thanks for the info. i have air ride on the rear of my road king and i've adjusted the light as far as they can go and i'm still blinding people on the road. is there anything else i can do?
There are aftermarket adapters that may give you more adjustment...Doc
Fabulous video. Always have my service guys check my headlight adjustment.
Nice work....Doc
Hello what if u have the older style roadglide headlight with the 3 green tabs one on top and two on the bottom how do you adjust UP?
Under the fairing where you can reach the 3 green mounts. You use a very small metric socket I believe a 4mm. To rotate to move the light assembly up and left to right…Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson thank you
Doc please help. Could you do a video on a rear fender of an 08 touring model. Just got it back from a body shop and trying to put it back together. Thank you for all the great videos.
If you have followed me for any period of time, I do not do "how to" I push if you are going to work on your bike, Own a Factory Service Manual....Doc
Is the LED adjustment different
He covered this.
Hey mate do you know much about the m8 streetbob headlight
It’s kinda bright 😮 If you are looking for adjusting or disassembly I believe the Factory Service Manual has a section on that….Doc
@LowCountryHarleyDavidson oh cool I have the manual from when bike was purchased I can't seem to get it to earth properly I think the bowl needs to touch the mounting block thankyou for your reply I appreciate it
Why wouldnt you do a video about Rode Glide adjustment?
I though I did include the single adjustment above the front fender....Doc
My bike’s headlight is out of alignment. I tried to adjust it but I don’t have a good location to do this so it looks like I’ll have to pay the local dealership to do it.😢
Gather you friends and hold up a white sheet, You can do this...Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Agree with Doc, you must have ridden with somebody at some time. Get together and look at all the bikes one evening. Then go for a ride together to check out your group handiwork.
don't substitute a fog lamp for a head light .
Speaking from experience?....Doc
Thank you for video. Oh your sound/voice really bad.
No Fatboy adjusments?
Not on this video. Need it?….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson that would help
It would be the same as the softtails
Thanks Doc👍