Monster 696 - how to adjust headlight

[alibaba]

I have read the service manual.  There are two adjustment knobs in the back of the headlight.  The upper one can be seen, but I can't see a slot or any way to get in there to turn it.  The bottom one is not visible.  It appears that even if I remove the nose fairing and gauges - that the adjustment knobs are still inaccessible.  And I cant imagine one has to constantly remove the headlight, guess at the adjustment, reinstall, tighten up the lower bolts and check and do this over and over until it is right.  And of course the parts manual does not show an details of the back of the headlight.
It really should not be this hard.
Is there some trick?  What am I missing?

[Raux]

check your owners manual page 92.

[alibaba]

Thanks Raux but been there.  Page 92 only shows the location of the adjusters.  My problem is how to access them? Do they rotate? With what tool?  Are those black rubber covers over the adjusting knob or are they the actual adjuster to be turned.  I prefer not to tear off the nose fairing etc. and remove the headlight if there is a trick way to access them in situ.  Reread my original posting for details.

[Raux]

dang. gotta go to the cold ass garage and look through the broken parts box now.

[alibaba]

geez - sorry Raux - I didn't want to make this hard on you.  It is just not that important - I can let the dealer figure it out.  Thanks for all efforts.

[Raux]

i'll take a look in the morning.

[H2O]

The vertical alignment of the headlamp can be adjusted manually by turning the screw (1). This is on the clutch side near the middle. It is a screw / bolt combo probably 6 or 8mm bolt. Sticks out pretty well on clutch side
The horizontal alignment of the headlight can be adjusted manually by turning the screw (2). This is on the brake side. If you move the throttle cable a little you can see it and get to it pretty well. Same bolt / screw combo. It is not the little screw on the edge. It is below that, but near the top.

They are not the black caps you see.

You are correct in assuming you do not need to remove the whole assembly. A stuby screwdriver ( phillips) should do it.


I will send you the pic if you provide email.

[Raux]

The vertical alignment of the headlamp can be adjusted manually by turning the screw (1). This is on the clutch side near the middle. It is a screw / bolt combo probably 6 or 8mm bolt. Sticks out pretty well on clutch side
The horizontal alignment of the headlight can be adjusted manually by turning the screw (2). This is on the brake side. If you move the throttle cable a little you can see it and get to it pretty well. Same bolt / screw combo. It is not the little screw on the edge. It is below that, but near the top.

They are not the black caps you see.

You are correct in assuming you do not need to remove the whole assembly. A stuby screwdriver ( phillips) should do it.


I will send you the pic if you provide email.

thansks for helping alibaba out. i got lazy.

[alibaba]

H2O  - you BE the man!!  I had gotten trapped into thinking the adjustment was via the black knobs.  Now I see those 2 hex bolts with the Phillips slots in them.  How obvious now.  Thanks so much to you and to Raux.
A chagrined alibaba.
ps - by the by - any idea what those black knobs are ?

[Raux]

ps - by the by - any idea what those black knobs are ?

Slowly step away from the bike and put the tools down. 

[stopintime]

...................

ps - by the by - any idea what those black knobs are ?

There's only one way to find out 

[H2O]

H2O  - you BE the man!!  I had gotten trapped into thinking the adjustment was via the black knobs.  Now I see those 2 hex bolts with the Phillips slots in them.  How obvious now.  Thanks so much to you and to Raux.
A chagrined alibaba.
ps - by the by - any idea what those black knobs are ?

You are welcome. The black knobs cover bolts that hold that plastic piece onto the headlight housing.  It is a clever idea. That way you dont mess with them and think they adjust the headlight!

[696DCRider]

I installed some HID lighting in my bike.  I blindly started to turn the adjusting screws without knowing which was which, and my light is a bit off now.  Then I looked in them manual, and learned that the bottom left screw is for vertical, and the top right is for horizontal.  My question though, is which way does the light aim go based on how I turn the screw.

My guess was if I turn the bottom left, it will make the aim go higher.  My other guess is that turning the top right screw to the right, will make the aim go to the left.  I just wanted to know if anyone can confirm that for me.

Also, how much does turning the screw adjust the headlight.  I have tried turning the screw many times in either direction to feel it out, but it doesn't seem to give me much response.  Do you have to turn it a lot to really see an effect in the aim?

[Raux]

go inside a dark garage and adjust with the book in hand and a tape measure.

[Armor]

Anytime you adjust the suspension, you should adjust the headlight.  It will be off.