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Makotosun

Headlamp bucket alignment

  • Dennis D
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Headlamp bucket alignment was created by Dennis D

    The head light bucket on the DT3 I am restoring is not centered.
When I tighten it down it wants to pull it to the right side of the bike.
There is no apparent bend in the ears and the hardware is installed
as it should be. Should not the high beam indicator be centered between 
the tach and speedometer? I have loosened and tightened the bolts
several times in different sequence and still cannot get it to stay centered.
Anyone else run into this?
  
 
Last edit: 05 Mar 2023 16:17 by Dennis D.
04 Mar 2023 14:20 #1

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  • Dennis D
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Replied by Dennis D on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

Thanks for the pic. Maybe mine is like it is suppose to be, I just have never
noticed it before.
05 Mar 2023 05:23 #2

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Replied by Brzn on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

My DT2's isn't centered either.
05 Mar 2023 07:32 #3

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  • Dennis D
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Replied by Dennis D on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

Maybe I am just to anal

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 I also notice that with it offset like it is
the drive cables don't line up with the indents in the back of the
headlamp bucket and makes it difficult to hook them to the gauges.
I guess the first thing I need to do is make sure the bucket is centered
to the forks. The problem may be in the gauge bracket. That thought 
occurred to me about three this morning when I woke up and started
thinking about it.
The following user(s) Liked this Post: Ht1kid
05 Mar 2023 08:07 #4

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Replied by Pedalcrazy on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

The ears aren't fixed to the forks...they will rotate around on the tubes. To center the headlight with the instruments just push it around a little until it gets to where you want it. It may take a little force.
1978 DT400E
1976 DT400C
1973 RT3
1971 RT1B
1968 DT1 (3)
05 Mar 2023 12:54 #5

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  • Dennis D
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Replied by Dennis D on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

Tried all of that, it keeps going back to the same location. 
I have put plenty of these together over the years, first
time I have run into this, or at least the first time I have
noticed it. I will post a pic after the race.
05 Mar 2023 14:14 #6

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  • RT325
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Replied by RT325 on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

Sometimes the ears get bent at the base rather than at the bolt hole. When that happens & someone pushes it all by hand it still isn't straightened at the base. See if both sides sprout off the base at the same angle or if one side steps in slightly before going forward. Bit difficult to describe.
05 Mar 2023 16:28 #7

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Replied by 1971DT250 on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

All of mine are centered. Restored ones and original ones.
The hours spent riding my Enduros is not deducted from my life span.
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05 Mar 2023 17:34 #8

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Replied by MarkT on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

I've unintentionally "modified" one or two to not be centered. Happened after a sudden unplanned stop.

One time I dented the headlight rim but it was never obvious why headlight was off center a little bit.... I think the ears might bend slightly like RT325 described.
1963 YG1-T, 1965 MG1-T, Allstate 250, 1970 CT1b, 1971 R5, 1973 AT3MX, 1974 TS400L, 1975 RD350, 1976 DT175C, 1976 Husqvarna 250CR, 1981 DT175G, 1988 DT50, 1990 "Super" DT50, 1991 RT180, 2017 XT250
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05 Mar 2023 19:07 #9

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Replied by SKYDANCER46 on topic Headlamp bucket alignment

All 3 of my bikes are dead center. 68,70 and 71. 

1970 DT250C
05 Mar 2023 19:22 #10

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