| 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 |
