GL1800 headlight adjusters

[b8210t]

New problem on my GW1800, have been hearing a growling or buzzing type of noise on cold start up and also while running in neutral or in gear, coming from upper area on drivers right side of shelter cowling, really annoying, sounds like a dry bearing, first thought after looking at diagram of under parts, right radiator fan. Took to my (really great) Honda tech, who also is local chapter (V Michigan-the chapter that has the most fun, AND< Michigan chapter of the year for 2013). He took it out for a ride after noise did not appear (of course), he heard it only briefly since it was fully warmed up, so we let it cool for a short time, and the noise would only appear very briefly, finally with aid of a stethoscope noise traced to right side (drivers right) headlight adjuster. He had never run across this problem. Lucky for us he had another 1800 on his lift that had the entire front cowling removed so we could clearly see all the front wiring and attached parts. At first we did not know what the part was, but after searching manual, and noticing that there are 2 of these parts with electrical connectors, determined that they indeed were the headlight adjusters, and 1 already had been disconnected on this particular 1800, so the long and short of it, he disconnected the offending adjuster, and everything else worked properly AND the noise went away. Just letting everyone know if they have this type of strange noise and is is up higher than cooling fans this is the only part that can be making noise in that area. I don't have headlight adjustment, but it seemed the did not work in the first place. Come to think of it, noise really got bad after I had a lighting problem (wanted to raise the beams and nothing happened) then right headlamp low beam burned out and replaced both low beam bulbs, and the problem really got more annoying. I did not do any more than replace the bulbs thru the opening in the handle bars and thought I had not disturbed anything. Sorry to be so long winded, but any thoughts would be appreciated. At $75 plus labor, really looking to replaced 1 or both of these headlight adjusters that I really have never used, and I never ride 2 up or tow a trailer. My Honda tech reads these posts and is interested too. Thanks ahead of time for any input.

[tfdeputydawg]

IMHO-more wasted money putting those motors on the adjusters! Same for the Honda Nav and the Comfort System!
Once one has the Headlamps properly adjusted, there is no reason to change the aim!

[waynehere]

This is too funny. I have been hearing the same noise and my first thought was it was the adjusters as well. Just got back from a 1300 mile trip and it started up just before I left. Was the weirdest noise, but it sounded like they were trying to move the light and it was stuck. I had the same notion to simply unplug them the next time I have my front tore apart and just forget about them. Good catch...

[JerriEric]

Funny, I was out last night and I adjusted my headlights on the fly. I think it is a great on the go feature. When on back roads I like the beam far down the road but when driving on populated roads I don't want to blind the oncoming traffic. I use it all the time.

[Steve F]

IMHO-more wasted money putting those motors on the adjusters! Same for the Honda Nav and the Comfort System!
Once one has the Headlamps properly adjusted, there is no reason to change the aim!

Unless you're the only person on the bike, then yes, the headlights probably won't need adjusting. If you ride two-up, the weight of the passenger will cause the headlight aim to go high, and then you should adjust accordingly.

[Viking]

Yep, I always kinda thought the headlight adjusters were meant to be used in conjunction with the preload adjustment. When you lift up the back end, you should raise the light aim, and when you drop the back end, you just might consider lowering the headlight aim. Same as with a passenger. Put a big one on the back and you just might want to lower your lights, or adjust the preload up to compensate. I believe that is why Honda put motorized adjustment on the bikes.

[captnc7@aol.com]

I have a 2014 GL1800 with a trike kit installed it's new to me Even when I aim the head lights as hi as they go they are still to low.
Can anyone tell me if the motorizes adjusters and be adjusted to go higher manually?

[topgun]

I have a 2014 GL1800 with a trike kit installed it's new to me Even when I aim the head lights as hi as they go they are still to low.
Can anyone tell me if the motorizes adjusters and be adjusted to go higher manually?

from 2008 manual, don't know if same on '14
ok, guess I cannot attach a file.... tried .docx .pdf and .htm. get error message?