This was posted on the zx14ninja.com forum by Sonic Boom on 1/4/2008:

I figured I might as well post this in here for some of the newer guys.

The 14's come from the factory with the regular headlights projecting maybe 12-15 feet in front of the bike. I always found myself riding with the high beams on and I was tired of getting brighted. Most can probably figure this out, but just in case, I'm putting it here.

Tools needed: 10mm open end wrench. (Easier with ratcheting box end wrench, almost impossible to use a 1/4 ratchet with a 10mm socket.

Turn it right to adjust them up, turn it to the left to go down. It's that easy. I marked one of the sides of the bolt (before turning them) with a black sharpie so I could count the turns and I could get the both headlights EXACTLY level.

That's it!

* Last updated by: bgordon on 2/8/2009 @ 12:58 PM *

Thanks for reposting this, bg.

Anyone recall how many 360s they did on the clockwise? I'm going with 2 complete revolutions of each adjuster. I can see that this makes the high beam go up. I can't see that this is doing anything for the lows but I imagine I will notice the change better on the road than I do against the garage wall.

Rook, I went 2 full turns with mine, hard to see the difference on a garage wall, but on the road you'll notice it. I think I need to go one more full turn though to get it just right. I can't believe they are adjusted that low from the dealer, I would think that's a safety hazard, especially if you never bothered to find out how to fix it.

rook went 3 full turns ....perfect at least till i gett my hid's

bg does that raise the brights also?

^^Yes, it does. I was able to see that one high beam projection was higher after tightening that side two 360 degree turns.

Tried mine tonight. Two turns seems a good improvement on lows. Noticed I was shining a bit on the tailgate of a pickup while following at a distance of 15 feet. I'm not used to seeing that but I think my car low beams would do the same thing. Oh well, it works. Did not think to test high beams. More than 3 turns and i think you are going to have coon hunting high beams.

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/8/2009 @ 10:30 PM *

This is a great tip. I purchased after market bulbs and could not understand why I could not see better. I never even thought of adjusting the lights up. Wow what a difference 3 turns makes, perfect. I found it easy to use a 1/4” drive 10mm socket and u-joint with a long extension.

^^Damn, I have those and it never occurred to me to try that. Lot easier than an open end. Yeah 3 turns seems like it might set the low beams out just about right but I'm afraid that might shine into cars ahead of me too much. Seems like 2 turns might be doing that already at a following distance of 20 feet. It almost seems like the low beams are brighter than most of cars' low beams out there. Still, if they're aimed too low, it doesn't matter how bright they are.

Little update: I went for a long night ride last night on highway without street lights in some places. Two 360 degree turns clockwise is definitely not high enough. I would start with 3 turns as the others posting here did. When cornering kind of hard the bike leans and I couldn't see sh!t. Scarey. Seemed like I could have used a higher angle for sure where there were no lamp posts.

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/16/2009 @ 11:10 AM *

I do a lot of out of town and long distance night time riding so I have replaced my lows with 35W 4300K HIDs and Highs with 55W 4300K HIDs. I have then adjusted the headlights up so that I now have an effective low beam. I even checked our Design regulations here is Australia to ensure that my low beams are not too high, and in fact I have set them lower than I need to. The problem that I now have is this. In the ZX14s standard trim the low beam is set very low and the high beam is fine. The problem with raising the low beam is that you also raise the high beam (as the two projectors are mounted on the one assembly) to a point where the high beams are now too high. I have been tempted to remove the fairing and try to space the high beams down manually. Has anyone tried this?

Howdy AussieZed-I wouldn't try messing with the lamps themselves-but why not adjust as you want(your LOW beams)and ride with those only until you need the extra illumination of the highs?When I saw oncoming cars flashing at me during the day with my highs on,I THOUGHT that's what was going on(Brights in their eyes)......come to realize,they were actually WARNING me about HIGHWAY PATROL up ahead!!!!LOL!My low beams hit at about 30 feet in front of me.If you adjust them "out" some,they will illuminate even better.(To the sides)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/19/2009 @ 9:59 AM *

I'm my to understand that this adjustment moves the high and low beam at the same time? my high beam is fine its the low beam I need to bring up..... thanks.

^^Yes. Both the highs and the lows will move when you adjust. You can't only do the lows.

That's all correct, when adjusting lights up both high and low go up.
What I have found is that when you shine the lights on a wall there is a dark spot between the low and high beams. So when you adjust the lights up to for a better low beam that dark spot moves up to where you need the high beams positioned.
What I would like to do is manually space one projector beam so as to remove that dark spot. For example, place a spacer in the high beam mounting (if this is even possible) so that the highbeam now points a fraction lower without moving the lowbeam. This way I can have good low beam coverage and a highbeam that doesn't point skyward.

Well, I have the same problem as AussieZed. I now have HIDs in and while low beam is not too bad, high beam is useless. I thought I saw a few leaves light up at the TOP of the trees but couldn't see any difference otherwise. If anyone does end up making a high beam only adjuster/adjustment, I'd be interested in hearing how you do it. With 4 slimline ballasts in behind the fairings there ain't much room left to play around. Cheers.

i see this is a relatively old thread... but i want to ask if anyone has added any light to the bike? i am considering this as, particularly thru the winter months, most of my riding is at night. (no thats not intended to be a dig, i know some of you guys have to park it during this time of the year...)

as someone posted above, turning sucks with the light you have available. i have taken a look at some led floods that i think will work, IF i can find a way to mount them. has anyone mounted aux lights on a 14? i am very interested to see pics of this... also, has anyone been able to find info on the charging systems on these bikes? how much power will these things put out, and how much additional draw will they handle?

There was a discussion recently about HIDs and that seemed to be working for some people. No need to add lights, just change the stock bulb.

http://www.zx14ninjaforums.com/messages.cfm?threadid=71739A06-D56B-84E2-10C29819E5AA454D

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/7/2010 @ 6:28 PM *

rally just upgrade to the hids i promise you there will be no need for additional lighting then...lol

the issue i have is not the amount of light. its the pattern of the existing light. i have dealt with the light issue on several other bikes. HID's, particularly in this area it seams, only attract more attention by the authorities. the actual usable light output is minimal as its the light pattern that i am having trouble with.

i have thought about dissecting the high beams or replacing them with hella floods.... anything to get the pattern wider then the pyramid shape pattern we have now. going in a straight line, the headlights are so good, you can see into the future.... LOL

with the exception of my FZ1, i have added lights to every vehicle i have owned to get light in the places i use it... particularly while turning. (i don't drive like a total bat out of hell, but i don't like to slow down just because its dark, and it works well for me...) then, on the FZ1, i have 100/130 hella h4's. yes, really, and no, i haven't melted the harness or lamps and have ridden over 25k miles with them.

i think as far as the stock headlights go, i am going to upgrade to 65watt bulbs. the draw would go up only a few amps but the lumen output is nearly 170% more then the best silverstar. and they are $25 each. with HID's, if i lost one on the road, i would have to wait to get another one, or buy a new bulb or ballast at nearly $300 retail.... i know, i can get them cheaper, and that is a worst case scenario, but as much time as i spend traveling, i want to be able to just swap out a bulb if i need. (try spending an hour as someone elses headlights because thiers stopped working... down hwy 1. you'll understand my perspective. LOL)

no, i don't tend, as a rule, to over-complicate much, but i do take my light very serious. ;0)

i understand but ill tell you and maybe ask a few of the others here ...my pattern almost doubled width wise i may have a night pic i took let me see if i can find it

heres a vid . starts out with just lows then youll see the bright come on(lil bluer) keep in mind i dont ride much at night so i opted for the bluer shade and went with the 10,000k hids

Rallyrodent,
Did you ever get around to changing out your bulbs? I would like to hear your comments or feedback on your light modding.

Good vid Scott-I'll say this...if you now adjust your lamps "outwards" equally on both sides-you're gonna get a much bigger field of light.I don't ride at night either,but on a rare occassion,I do.Adjusting out will give you great outside coverage(important here because of the animals that "come out of no-where" at the sides).And also,on low beams only,the light spread will be very good so you won't always be needing your brights on(like if night traffic is coming at you).During the day-brights can stay on with no problem to other drivers.That's how I use em anyway.In your video-with your lamps all lit-you can see that the sides are not too well illuminated.The way I have mine set,that whole area(comparing to your vid)will be lit up,off to the sides and higher up in front-I'd say the field of light for mine is around 200 feet forward-and very white at night.To the sides,with brights on,maybe 100 ft out and at least 200 ft forward-clear vision white illumination.Very comforting I'll tell ya.The forward distance MAY be even farther than I said...I know it's way out there up ahead-plenty of breathing room should I need to brake.Course,my eyes don't do well at night anymore-so I need the wider field of vision.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 2/16/2010 @ 10:27 AM *

thanks blue, so how do i go bout widening the light pattern?

no, i have not yet made this mod... waiting on the tax check to make any mods... lighting will be first.

i am also interested to hear about widening the pattern.... i was under the impression that was not an option.

Okay-you guys see the bolts for the up/down adjust.Now,look down at the low beams-the adjusters are at the inside tips of the lamp assemblies.Right in the center of the nose(somewhere right in that area).Two bolts with washers,one on each side.(If I remember right-I don't think they're the same type of bolt as the Verticals).Anyway,get yer bike set up in front of a wall or anything like that.Turn on your beams-lows-Mark a spot(or tape) where the beam is now focused(do this sitting on the bike)-you should be able to eyeball the spot after you see where it is on your wall)Closer to the wall is better,you can really see how far she's moving that way.Now start to turn that left inside bolt down in there either way-see which way the beam moves.I used a 1/4 inch, three extension wratchet and socket,and just started turning to see what it was gonna do.I moved mine OUT about 4 inches off center.Then the other side.Okay...now sit your bike straight up,and check out where the beam(s) are NOW focused.Should be off the mark several inches.The adjusters are OPPOSITE in adjusting-meaning they don't both turn the same way to move the lamps OUT.One is Clockwise,the other,C.Clockwise.You'll have to see which way they go,natch.Whichever way the left one turns to move out,the right will turn the opposite to move outward.Easy adjustment,don't need to remove anything.Run that extension I think over the clutch lines,and brake lines on either side-something like that-you'll figure out the easiest way.But it should be long enough to get the wratchet ABOVE the triple tree so you can adjust without hitting yer hands.(oh yeah,you'll need a knuckle that turns at an angle as you turn the wrench...goes between the socket and the extension).Now this is gonna move the whole lighting pattern out-including the High Beam pattern.So ya just need to see what it does at night or whatever,and readjust as you want it.It really gets that light out there in front and to the sides.Worked really well for my eyes.Once you've set your vertical,that pattern of length of light won't change(well,maybe some on the high beams).But your overall illumination is gonna be VERY nice.And having the lamps adjusted out will allow you to run low beams if cars are approaching,and you'll still see just fine.

Today I went and bought a 1/4" U-handle(I think it's called that).Got a handle and a 1/4" drive on it,but can move at an angle when putting it in tight places.Also got another 1/4" knuckle.Lamp adjustments just got easier!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/23/2010 @ 4:02 AM *