RVF high beam light pattern

[bjhanss]

Hello

I have recently purchased a RVF in Holland, and when taking it to the norwegian road station for a technical check needed for import, they found the high beam not showing a clear light distribution. The low beam is OK. I have dismantled the nose cone fairing, and the bulbs are regular H4's, 55/60 watts. The light holder seems to be original type.

Can this problem be related to non-original bulbs ( H4 instead of H4R ), or can the reflector be damaged in some way ?

bjhanss

[newtothis]

It depends on how the bulbs or mountings have been modified. The H4 doesn't fit the headlight unless you either:
1. bend the tabs over a thin bar
2. cut the plastic of the headlamp shell

If it's #1 then the position of the main beam filament may be wrong which will give an incorrect beam pattern.

This might hellp http://webpages.charter.net/bpeloquin/H4mod.html

[Neosophist]

As above, i'd expect it is how the headlights or bulbs have been modified to fit into the non H4 lamps.

is it the bulbs or the lampholder that have been modified.

You can get "adapter rings" that you snip off the original tabs and use these bulbs in, I have had trouble with them in contries with strict light tests as the bulbs sometimes dont sit flush and the beam is off.

Or you can modify the headlight housing, if you cut it properly the bulb shoudl sit flush and level and your beam can be adjusted ok.

Did you try to adjust the beam down / up / left / right for a successful pattern before messing with the bulbs? could be just out of alignment?

[bjhanss]

Hello again

i found the H4 bulbs that were installed, did not match the housing. After using a file to open a half-moon slot on each bulb, the pattern is now clear.
I will go to the road authorities monday, to see what they say.

Do anyone know if there are EU marked headlights available for the RVF 400 ?

[Neosophist]

Hello again

i found the H4 bulbs that were installed, did not match the housing. After using a file to open a half-moon slot on each bulb, the pattern is now clear.
I will go to the road authorities monday, to see what they say.

Do anyone know if there are EU marked headlights available for the RVF 400 ?

your probably best searching for direct fit eu rvf lights in your local country, they are a jdm bike so not likely any eu specced lights made unless there is a specific demand in a certain coutnry..

[JZH]

The RVF was never officially sold anywhere but Japan, AFAIK, so there will be no RVF headlights designed for LHD countries...

I'm surprised it was the high (main) beam that was incorrect, as the usual problem is that the low beam is "dipping" the wrong way. Maybe the headlight adjusters have been turned so that the low beam is in spec (with the dip), but doing this had the unfortunate effect of throwing the main beam off too much? Good luck.

Ciao,