| Information |
Method
of Inspection |
Reason
for rejection |
Headlamps
fitted to motorcycles fall Into two main groups, ie those which
are intended to be set on main (driving) beam (diagram 2) and
those on dipped beam (diagrams 1 & 3).
Some of the more prominent features which will aid identification
are given below and on Pages 12,13 and 14.
Machines with a single beam headlamp
first used on or after l^May 1995 so constructed to be incapable
of exceeding 30mph/50kph on the level with an engine capacity
not exceeding 50cc are only required to have a dipped beam, provided
a rear position lamp, stop lamp and rear reflector are also fitted
(see also information notes at 1.2 headlamps).
On machines without a battery or with an insufficiently charged
battery it will be necessary to run the engine.
If an automatic transmission is fitted the light output may be
low but the hot spot can usually be identified.
Check that the tyres ace not under-inflated.
A flat top dip beam pattern is not a reason for rejection
|
USING
A RAIL MOUNTED HEADLAMP AIM TESTER
Locate the machine on the area designated as the 'standing area'
for the headlamp test. Clamp the front wheel or otherwise support
the machine so that it is upright and in the straight ahead position.
With an assistant sitting on the machine in the normal riding
position align the beam tester with the longitudinal axis of the
motorcycle and align the centre of the collecting lens with the
centre of the headlamp under test in accordance with the equipment
manufacturer's instructions. Switch the headlamp to the beam on
which the headlamp is to be checked. Follow the instructions given
by the manufacturer for the particular headlamp aim equipment
being used:
USING AN AIMING SCREEN
Place the machine on the standing area.
Position the machine or motorcycle part of a
combination, with the headlamp lens the
appropriate distance away from the aiming
screen and its longitudinal centre line at right
angles to the screen.
Clamp the front wheel or otherwise support
the machine so that it is upright and
adequately supported-
Align the screen vertical zero line with the
motorcycle headlamp centre line.
With an assistant sitting on the machine in
the normal riding position align the
horizontal zero line with the horizontal axis of
the headlamp using the headlamp height
measuring equipment. Switch the headlamp
to the beam on which it is to be checked.
|
|
| Masks
or converter kits |
Right
hand dip headlamps can be temporarily altered for use in the UK
by fitting masks or converter kits which remove the beam 'kick-up'
to the right.
A headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection,
if
a. the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under
diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a straight
line)
b. the light output is not unduly
reduced - not usually a problem with commercially produced kits
c. the mask or converter is securely attached
|
|
|
| European
'E' Beam Headlamp ( Checked on Dipped Beam ) |
 |
European
type Characteristics
a. an asymmetric dipped beam pattern which when correctly aimed,
produces an imagewith a distinct line rising at 15 deg (45 deg
in some lamps) on the nearside |
| b.
a lens or reflector with one or more asymmetric stepped patterns
moulded in the glass/plastic |
| c.
a lens may carry a European approval mark - a circle containing
an 'E' and a number, or .a rectangle containing an 'e', and a
number |
Diagram
1
Check the beam image kick up is to the nearside-Check the image
horizontal cut-off is between
. for headlamps not more than 850mm from the ground, the 0.5%
and 2% lines, ie the red tolerance band
. for headlamps with centres more than 850mm from the ground,
the 1.25% and 2.75% lines ie the blue tolerance band.
Check the beam image 'break point' is between the 2% and 0% vertical
lines.
|
| Reasons
for Rejection |
| 1.
The beam image'kick-up' is to the offside. |
| 2.
For headlamps with centres not more than 850 mm from the ground
the beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal
0.5% and 2% lines, ie the red tolerance band. |
| 3.
For headlamps with centres more than 850 mm from the ground, the
beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal 1.25%
and 2.75% lines, ie the blue tolerance band. |
4.
The beam image 'break point' is
· To the right of the 0% vertical line, or
· To the left of the vertical 2% line |
| British
American Headlamp ( Checked on Main Beam ) |
 |
Headlamps
tested on main beam have a
symmetrical main beam pattern with a central area of maximum intensity
(hot spot).
This type of lamp generally has the following characteristics:
a. a circular lens which may be marked with a figure 1 followed
by an arrow indicating
the direction of dip;
b. likely to be of sealed beam construction.
Diagram 2Check the position of the centre of the area of maximum
intensity (hot spot) |
|
Reasons
for Rejection |
|
1.
The hot spot centre is above the horizontal 0% line
2. The hot spot centre is to the right of the vertical 0% line,
or to the left of the vertical 2% line.
3. For Headlamps whose centre is not more than 850mm from the
ground the hot spot centre is below the horizontal 2% line.
4. For Headlamps whose centre is more than 850mm from the ground
the hot spot centre is below the horizontal 2.75% line.
5. When dipped the brightest part of the image does not move downwards
or downeards to the nearside. |
| British
American Type ( Checked on Dipped Beam ) |
 |
Diagram
3
Dipped Beam Image
Check: the position of the upper and right hand area of the maximum
intensity hot spotBritish American type - Characteristics
a. an asymmetric dipped beam pattern which when correctly aimed
has a flat topped area of high intensity extending above and parallel
with the horizontal zero line on the nearside;
b. a circular lens marked with the figure 2 which may also have
an arrow showing the direction of dip;
Diagram 3
Dipped beam image
Check the position of the upper and right hand edge of the area
of maximum intensity ('hot spot'}
|
| Reasons
for Rejection |
1.
The upper edge of the hot spot is above the horizontal 0% line.
2. The upper edge of the hot spot is below the horizontal 2.75%
line.
3. The right hand edge of the hot spot is to the right of the
vertical 0% line or to the left of the vertical 2% line.
4. The raised portion of the (beam) image is to the right/offside
of the centre line. |
| Issue
Date: July 2001 |
