California Headlight Height Requirements......

[jqdp]

K, so i took this straight from a website explaining headlight laws in California and i wanted to verify that this is still current today before i purchase the headlight. After seeing this cb500 on bikeexif i believe...

i fell in love with the idea of doing this with my brat, but don't want to be hassled by cops round Orange County for doing it. So heres the excerpt but im a bit confused, what the heck is the difference between the two sections??? High....Low beam... 16...24 inches......which would this fall under?? ***I dont plan on riding at night or even at dusk for reasons of life and limb so the headlight isn't my #1 Priority***

"Auxiliary Driving Lamps (high-beam) 24402. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches. Driving lamps are lamps designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not be lighted with the lower beam.

Passing Lamps (low beam) 24402. (b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches. Passing lamps are lamps designed for supplementing the lower beam from headlamps and may also be lighted with the upper beam."

 

[Big R]

The way I read it, both of those quotes are in reference to aux. lighting.

 

[jqdp]

Although each has its own min height requirement....16 vs 24

 

[timeconsuming]

***I dont plan on riding at night or even at dusk for reasons of life and limb so the headlight isn't my #1 Priority***

Based on this I'd say you're very unlikely to get hassled. Riding at night would more justify them giving you shit... but I feel like sometimes cops just look for things to pull people over, so it's a bit of a toss up.

 

[Finnigan]

I'd be interested to know if you can legally right with this, looks really good!

 

[alancop]

New to the forum, but I have worked on cars for a long time and can interpret this a little for you guys:

Auxiliary Driving Lamps - These are your rally style can lights guys like to put on their trucks. It is an auxiliary light that "may not be lit with the lower" meaning if you have those on, you cant have your main headlights on.

Passing Lamps - This is your High beams, that little switch that you pull to flash your brights is actually call the "flash-to-pass switch and you are supposed to use it to signal to someone that you are about to go around them and pass.

SO, unless there is another statute dealing directly with "driving lights" or something to that effect, you should be good. My only concern would be if there isn't another headlight on the other fork, you will have a piss poor view of the left side of the road, and moreover, it would be even harder for cagers to see you.

 

[jqdp]

Very true regarding the visibility but i don't plan on driving at night really at all. I just don't want to give the baconator any more reason to pull me over than he does now

 

[Tim]

1 - I think it would look just as cool above the fork boot, on the bottom corner of the number plate

2 - Positioned where it is, it's going to be clobbered to death in the first 50 miles. It's going to take the full brunt of every nook and cranny on the pavement. Won't last 5 minutes. That my friend is all show, no go, which is further emphasized by the tire choice, lack of muffler and no fork brace.

 

[jqdp]

I sayyyy, I can digg it