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


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 in the Reasons for Rejection column (except that the top of the beam image will be a straight line)

b. the light output is not duly
reduced

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

B1. 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 2
Main Beam Image

Check the position of the centre of the area of maximum intensity (hot spot)

Reasons for Rejection

C1. 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

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 spot

British 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

D1. 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.

Issue Date: 10th January 2005