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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 14:24 #185447

  • love2ride
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  • Ngati Tumatauenga
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The headlight on the KZ1000 is not very bright compared to the Ninja 250. Electrical issue or just that way?

Did a search thru the forum. It should be bright. I'll check all wiring and connections associated with the headlight circuit.

Post edited by: love2ride, at: 2007/12/17 17:52
Newport News, Va
2006 Ninja 250 - Commuter
1978 KZ1000 - Not even close to stock.

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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 15:16 #185451

  • 79MKII
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If you still have the original sealed beam unit in the 78 it probably won't look as bright. There are halogen conversion kits readily available and they really help. Wattage also plays a large role in brightness. On the other hand, a bad connection will definitely cause a dim bulb.

Post edited by: 79MKII, at: 2007/12/17 18:17
The Kaw List:
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250

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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 15:19 #185453

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I believe it is the original. Good to know. Thanks.

I dont ride this bike at night anyway, just noticed today. I have been riding without it on anyways.
Newport News, Va
2006 Ninja 250 - Commuter
1978 KZ1000 - Not even close to stock.

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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 15:20 #185454

  • Bad Kaw
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Yep, I converted all my sealed-beams over to halogen bulb. It's cheap; shoot, you can go ebay for headlights and then go H-4 and you can go (as suggested) with more powerful than stock watts...just be careful to try to keep a reasonable (stock output) low beam as I've pissed people off with super-bulbs in the past.
-KR
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)

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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 16:51 #185469

  • BSKZ650
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check the ground, that causes dim lights
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob

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Headlight Brightness 17 Dec 2007 17:22 #185479

  • love2ride
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roger.
Newport News, Va
2006 Ninja 250 - Commuter
1978 KZ1000 - Not even close to stock.

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Headlight Brightness 19 Dec 2007 14:16 #185742

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aren't the sealed beams only 40 watt and 55 on high beam? that is dim compared to the newer 100/120 watt halogens
for a good headlight check,clean,and fix all switches connections and fuses that aren't solid. take some time ... light is important

i think a 80/100 H-4 is enough light for me

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Headlight Brightness 19 Dec 2007 16:22 #185749

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I agree, the old sealed beams give a wimpy, yellow light compared to modern headlights.
Beware... brighter bulbs may tax your charging system. The light is always on, not just at night. If you idle alot, like in traffic, you may draw more juice than your dyno can produce, and you'll start to drain your battery. Most of the generators on these KZs aren't what they used to be (if they ever were).
'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC

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Headlight Brightness 20 Dec 2007 09:42 #185839

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Aren't the bright bulbs are what 8 or so amp draw? that is a lot! and these bikes aren't designed to charge the battery, just cover the loads and brother the halogen headlight is a heavy load.
a guy could get rick's to wind up a hefty stator- if you have the budget for it.
or just keep the battery charger handy and check the water level a lot. that is part of keeping my kz happy and reliable

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Headlight Brightness 20 Dec 2007 09:50 #185840

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I ride this bike only when its daylight. The headlight switch is usually off anyway, so not to tax the charging system.

Lights are important, but people dont see lights or bikes anyways. I commute everywhere o a bike and am very aware what people do behind the wheel of a cage.
Newport News, Va
2006 Ninja 250 - Commuter
1978 KZ1000 - Not even close to stock.

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Headlight Brightness 20 Dec 2007 10:05 #185841

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love2ride wrote:

I ride this bike only when its daylight. The headlight switch is usually off anyway, so not to tax the charging system.

Lights are important, but people dont see lights or bikes anyways. I commute everywhere o a bike and am very aware what people do behind the wheel of a cage.

You REALLY should run with the headlight on during the day. It wil absolutely improve your visibility with the cagers. Being seen is half the battle.
'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC

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Headlight Brightness 20 Dec 2007 10:51 #185843

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I am converting my 79 KZ1300 and my 81 gpZ1100 to true Xenon system with the High Volage balast. It only draws 5A and is about 5x brighter than the Halogen. The conversion costs about $90.

Post edited by: otakar, at: 2007/12/20 13:52
74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000

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