Interpretation ID: nht95-2.14

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: March 29, 1995

FROM: Jeffrey D. Shetler -- Kawa Saki Motors Corp., U.S.A

TO: Taylor Vinson -- NHTSA

TITLE: Projector Beam Headlamp

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO 4/24/95 LETTER FROM PHILIP RECHT TO JEFFREY SHETLER (A43; STD. 108); ALSO ATTACHED TO 2/7/94 LETTER FROM JEFFREY D. SHETLER TO NHTSA ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR ENFORCEMENT; ALSO ATTACHED TO 5/6/94 LETTER FROM JOHN WOMACK TO JEFFREY D. SHETLER

TEXT: Attached per my telephone conversation with Mr. John Womack are the following:

1. Two drawings of projector beam headlamps a) original drawing submitted with our February 7, 1994 request for interpretation (Drawing A) b) modified drawing showing the addition of a cowling over the headlamp (Drawing B)

2. February 7, 1994 Kawasaki correspondence to NHTSA

3. May 6, 1994 correspondence from Mr. Womack

Standard 108 requires a motorcycle to have at least one headlamp. Table IV requires the headlamp to be located on the vertical centerline, except that if two are used they shall be symmetrically disposed about the vertical centerline.

The subject Kawasaki motorcycle headlamp in Drawing A and B contains the upper and lower beam in one housing and is a single headlamp. However, the addition of the cowling (Drawing B), which is a permanent part of the motorcycle to which the headlamp wi ll be applied, provides the appearance of two headlamps.

My question to Mr. Womack during our telephone conversation was concerning the addition of the cowling and the interpretation of the requirements in Standard 108.

Will the revised proposed application of the projector beam headlamp to a motorcycle as seen in Drawing B meet the requirements of Standard 108?

Thank you in advance for your quick response to our inquiry.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at (714) 770-0400 ext. 2456.

Regards

DRAWINGS OMITTED.