Hornet Swarm Night City

**Interceptor** · 24th January 2012, 09:24

Originally Posted by wanpo

So you understand why we fight to ride at the back now then?

Also Sharry is paying you a compliment, saying you ride as well as Stoner.

I understand very well now. Was a cool sight though to see this trail of lights snaking along the road behind me.

Ha! Compared to Stoner I am just a twist and go rider....

**baffa** · 24th January 2012, 10:11

Was a perfect night for it, bar getting quite cold at the end.
Even with dinner and sitting around chatting for ages we still covered over 200 kay, so not too bad.

**Hellzie** · 24th January 2012, 10:54

Originally Posted by Gremlin

But she asked?!

Hellzie, if you have a friendly VTNZ or similar they have the light boxes for testing lights, and ask if you can quickly check your adjustment. My local checks mine for free. Check your manual for how to adjust the beam (there should be knobs on the light somewhere).

Otherwise, find somewhere with a flat area against a white wall. Put your bike in front of the wall (metre or two away), then roll it backward. Low beam should slowly go down the wall, high beam will stay at the same height (as it should be level).

The low beam seems fine (if not a little too bright), but I think I need a brighter high beam. The spread was good, it was just really dull. It's like they're the wrong way round in brightness.

Originally Posted by Interceptor

I understand very well now. Was a cool sight though to see this trail of lights snaking along the road behind me.

I quite liked riding up front at night.

**Gremlin** · 24th January 2012, 11:23

Originally Posted by Hellzie

The low beam seems fine (if not a little too bright), but I think I need a brighter high beam. The spread was good, it was just really dull. It's like they're the wrong way round in brightness.

You have Buell lights from memory, so not the standard Hornet light. Not sure what bulb it uses, not sure how they work (one for high, one for low?) but if that's the case I'd be looking at the high beam, if it's one bulb checking the reflector, glass etc. Could it be possible that only high is misaligned? If the lamps run the same bulb, also possible the high beam one is a crap bulb...

**baffa** · 24th January 2012, 11:25

Front or back is better than middle of the sammy.

I find I tend to want to ride faster at night, mostly because I cant see every little dark patch in the road, so I just get on with it.

**wanpo** · 24th January 2012, 12:31

Originally Posted by Gremlin

You have Buell lights from memory, so not the standard Hornet light. Not sure what bulb it uses, not sure how they work (one for high, one for low?) but if that's the case I'd be looking at the high beam, if it's one bulb checking the reflector, glass etc. Could it be possible that only high is misaligned? If the lamps run the same bulb, also possible the high beam one is a crap bulb...

Only one of the lights is on at any one time, thought that was mighty strange. You should be able to (with a bit of electrical know-how) fix it up so that the low beam is on at all times, then the highbeam comes on in addition. I'd probably also chuck an uprated bulb on the high beam side.

**gale_wolf** · 24th January 2012, 12:58

Originally Posted by Interceptor

To add that Andrew took the lead first from town through to Clevedon and then a loop of Twilight Rd before the eats. First time for me riding through to Kaiaua at night, such a different experience. Also, I now have a greater appreciation of what it is like leading up front at night with no bikes to follow and also keeping an eye on everyone behind me.

Cary aka "Casey".

Thanks Cary for leading from Clevedon to Kaiaua. My headight's terrible and (having been near-blinded by yours in the past!) I figured you were well-placed to light the way

Time to add a +50 to my bike methinks.

Heh, leading at night, you can see why some of us like to go TEC instead.

Also, now that I'm more familiar with some of the more recent arrivals to the swarm ride, next time we'll just overtake (safely!) any cages holding us up.

I've added the Clevedon pub's number to my phone... call ahead in future to let them know hungry bikers are on the way so don't close the kitchen while we're still riding Twilight Rd