Headlamp "dip" (2019)

Is the direction of the dip beam a function of the reflector? And do Europeans drive on the same side as in the US? I see 7" Wipac headlamps with pilot holes for either European or UK but no mention of US.

UK drives on the left, rest of Europe on the right (same as US).

European headlamps will dip in correct direction for US. No idea if there are other regs they need to comply with for US though.

maylar said:

Is the direction of the dip beam a function of the reflector?

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It's more to do with the position of the dip bulb filament and the lens.

maylar said:

And do Europeans drive on the same side as in the US?

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Yes. (not including the UK obviously)

maylar said:

I see 7" Wipac headlamps with pilot holes for either European or UK but no mention of US.

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Edit: Were they being offered for sale on the UK/Euro side of the pond? I think there is a difference between standard Euro and US dip patterns.

https://www.quora.com/Do-more-peopl...on-these-days-or-are-headlights-just-brighter

The BPF headlamps as fitted to the Commando and other British motorcycles (but not cars) were the same type for the US and UK markets as they had a Edit: symmetrical 'flat' dip pattern but were not the same as those used in Europe and French headlamps of the period had to be yellow.

The web site I was looking at was in the UK. I already have a Wipac H4 on my bike and I don't really like the beam pattern. I have to look if the p/n is on it as to which one I have. Bought it from a Mini parts supplier in the US a while ago.

I see that this is quite an old post but....
Can someone please confirm this simple rule: a headlamp with a RIGHT HAND DIP is for countries where you drive on the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road?
Many thanks...

SwissCommando said:

Can someone please confirm this simple rule: a headlamp with a RIGHT HAND DIP is for countries where you drive on the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road?

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Left-hand dip for countries that drive on the left-hand side of the road using right-hand drive (ok, not motorcycles) vehicles.



"Right Hand Dip (For Europe etc, with Left Hand Drive, example: France, Italy.)
Where you drive on the right hand side of the white line.

"Left hand dip for use on UK roads and other countries where you drive on the LEFT side of the white line."

In my experience, in Italy they drive on whatever side of the road they wish to.

Thank you @L.A.B. for your reply. However, I am going to draw you out on this question because now, I am more confused than ever. I ordered and received a headlamp from AN (see pictures) for a RH dip headlamp. The lens is exactly the opposite to the image in the feked.com image for a RH dip headlamp in your link. One of them has to be correct. Which is it? I suppose that understanding the lens pattern would help me. In the image, does the only line sloping from the horizontal represent the dip area? If so, I have the wrong lamp. I need a lamp for European continent driving, i.e. the right hand side of the road with the dip being towards the left to stop glare into oncoming traffic. Perhaps I have a wrong understanding of the word 'dip'?

SwissCommando said:

I ordered and received a headlamp from AN (see pictures) for a RH dip headlamp. The lens is exactly the opposite to the image in the feked.com image for a RH dip headlamp in your link. One of them has to be correct. Which is it?

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The arrow (also the prism area on the left as you look at the lens) identifies the dip direction as LEFT-hand (RHD), so AN has sent you (Edit: or, according to your subsequent post you could've ordered) the wrong headlamp.
"06.8053
HEADLAMP UNIT 7" H4 R/H DIP C/W BULBS (LUCAS 5452633)"
That's a R/H DRIVE, L/H dip unit in the picture.

Same but correct unit picture for L/H dip (Edit: Link corrected)
"06.8052
HEADLAMP UNIT 7" H4 L/H DIP WITH BULBS (54526114) UK MARKET"


RHD
LHD
Original UK Lucas


If you were to set it up to shine against a wall (at more than the focal distance because the beam pattern will be reversed close to the lens) then the dip beam of the one you have should match the RHD (Right Hand Drive) example, below:

I think I understand now. I think I have been confusing Right Hand Drive (UK) and driving on the right hand side of the road (continental Europe). To be certain, I will hook up the lamp to the motorcycle tonight and check the beam against a white surface. Thanks again for your elucidation @L.A.B.

Just to conclude the above story about headlamp dip, which now seems so obvious.

The correct lens prism pattern for a lamp that dips to the LEFT (i.e. for driving in most countries on the European continent) is as in the photo. It follows that the correct pattern for driving in the UK is the opposite.

It appears everyone I've checked with is out of stock. Any ideas where to get a replacement?