My Motorcycle Headlight Beam Adjustment Steps (TBR7).

The blog feedback I was receiving was to separate the reason behind a process from the actual steps I took to complete the process. I created another post(Why I Had to Adjust My TBR7 Headlight.) about why I wanted to and had to adjust my motorcycle’s headlight and left this post about how I adjusted my motorcycle headlight.

I own a TaoTao TBR7 but believe much of these adjustment steps apply to its other Chonda-cousins, like the Hawk 250, Brozz 250, Raven 250, etc… Thanks for stopping by, and I hope my motorcycle blog helps you enjoy your motorcycle more.

My Motorcycle Headlight Beam Adjustment Steps.

Always work with a safe motorcycle. The motorcycle is off, cool to the touch, and on a stable surface.

Step 1: Ensure the motorcycle is set for headlight alignment.

a. Ensure the motorcycle’s tire pressure is normal.

b. The motorcycle is on a level surface.

c. Ensure the motorcycle’s suspension is adjusted for riding. This step means if you need to make adjustments to your bike’s shocks, do it now. If you ride with full cargo containers, load them up now.

Step 2: Set Up A Headlight Beam Target

a. Measure the height of your motorcycle’s headlight.

b. Measure away about 25 feet(why 25, not sure I read it on a motorcycle headlight adjustment chart and still use it).

c. With this information, set up a target 25 feet away, and mark something about the same height as your motorcycle’s headlight height off the ground. This is your headlight beam target.

Note: Some people use their garage door for setting up a headlight beam target. I have a small garage, so doing it from the inside doesn’t work. If I do it in my driveway, my driveway is on an angle, so it still doesn’t work.

I have my motorcycle in the garage and use a ladder I put outside my garage. If you tape a white sheet of paper to the ladder, it does a great job as a headlight beam target. It works for me. If you have a better solution, please comment below.

Step 3: Test Headlight Beam Position.

a. Sit on the motorcycle, apply as much of your weight while balancing the bike upright.

b. Turn on the high beam setting of the headlight. Yes, I use the high beam for alignment since, with the TBR7, you can make one adjustment, up or down of the beam.

c. Look at where the motorcycle’s headlight beam strikes. My goal is to have the motorcycle’s high beam hit the target directly ahead. The High-beam I set up to be level with the motorcycle’s headlight height. For reference, I then look a the low beam, which should come to rest a couple of inches below your targeted headlight height.

I skipped the next step if the high beam headlight height was correct(on target/straight ahead).

Step 4: Adjust Your TBR7 Motorcycle Headlight. This step is longer.

a. Remove the headlight.
Remove the two side bolts holding the headlight.

b. Lift the headlight from handlebars and turn over.
No need to disconnect the headlight connection.

c. Loosen and adjust the motorcycle headlight adjustment bolt. Move the bolt forward to aim the headlight beam higher and back to aim the headlight beam lower.

d. Re-tighten headlight aiming bolt.

e. Reinstall the headlight. Don’t forget to use a blue thread locker on your bolts. My TBR7 feels safer after using thread locker where I can.

Tip: if you put the rubber grommets first into their holes, it’s an easier way to install the headlight. Now the headlight bottom prongs will easily slip into the rubber grommets.

f. Repeat Step 3 to check your adjustments.

Step 5. Ride The Motorcycle!

Not really a real step, but the important part is getting out and enjoying the work you do with the motorcycle. I feel sometimes I spend too much time wrenching on my TBR7 instead of riding it.

Now, these are the five steps I do to adjust my TBR7 motorcycle headlight beam, but they might be incorrect. Also, I was told many states have their headlight beam height requirements, so check with your local rules and regulations.

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For more reading, this is my state’s motorcycle equipment standards document. It states:

Auxiliary lamps and fog lamps shall be aimed when the vehicle and lamp assembly are in the straight ahead position with the beam not above the horizontal centerline of the lamp at 25 feet.

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Manuals/Pub_45%20Inspections%20Regulations/Subchapterh.pdf

And,

Headlamps On the vertical centerline, except if two are used, they shall be symmetrically disposed about the vertical. Not less than 24″ nor more than 54″ centerline.

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Manuals/Pub_45%20Inspections%20Regulations/tables.pdf

Maybe people came up with measuring out 25 feet and not having your High-beam aim not go above the height of the motorcycle headlight because of regulations like this. So my steps seem to comply with my state’s requirements, but be sure you check with yours!

Remember, I quoted Pennsylvania Headlight laws just as a reference on how I was making adjustments to my motorcycle’s headlight. Please always follow your local laws and regulations.

If any of these steps sound incorrect, please feel free to send me feedback by commenting below.

FYI, if you are doing any work on your motorcycle headlight: Best Motorcycle LED Bulb For Daytime Running Light (TBR7/Hawk 250)

Ride Safe, Ride Fun!

Additional Reading:

Can I Upgrade MY Motorcycle Headlight To LED Without Any Modifications? – FAQ

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Click To See My Recommended
TBR7 Upgrades

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