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LED headlight conversion

  • SirCanucklehead
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20 Mar 2022 05:29 #864068 by SirCanucklehead
LED headlight conversion was created by SirCanucklehead
I've got an 84 KZ550 LTD, and I'm looking to convert my lights to LEDs. Seen a few posts discussing coverting the headlight bulb to a newer halogen or LED, but I'm more interested in a full assembly along the lines of this:

www.amazon.ca/dp/B087T7GZ1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_..._encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Just wondering if anyone's tried such a conversion, and if so what difficulties they came up against. My main concern is whether the wiring will even be close to matching up

1984 KZ550 LTD Shaft

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20 Mar 2022 12:11 #864089 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic LED headlight conversion
I have not looked recently, but once upon a time, Trucklite had a plug and play LED headlight. Be sure to get the correct diameter assembly.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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  • Scirocco
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20 Mar 2022 13:21 - 20 Mar 2022 13:25 #864092 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic LED headlight conversion
I did a headlight conversion. You need a 7" LED head light insert. My HIGHSIDER LED insert fits plug and play into a Z1 or KZ1000 head lamp housing.


 
 
 
 
 
 
Last edit: 20 Mar 2022 13:25 by Scirocco.

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20 Mar 2022 17:19 #864100 by Irish Yobbo
Replied by Irish Yobbo on topic LED headlight conversion
Most replacement assemblies have an H4 plug (including the one you have linked), and are just a straight swap provided you get the correct size. I don't know of any that keep the small accessory bulb, so you will lose that. But the link you have has a separate halo ring, so you could potentially wire the accessory bulb to the halo ring.

The biggest problem will likely be clearance, not wiring. The headlight lens cannot be too deep as there is a lot of wiring stored between the lens and the chrome bucket. Before ordering anything, check the depth and make sure it's no deeper than the stock headlight. Most LEDs will likely be more shallow, buy you won't know unless you measure.

So check dimensions (diameter and depth), and if it's an H4 plug it should be a straight swap (presuming KZs have H4 bulbs - I know many cars of the era didn't in the US but did everywhere else).

1981 KZ750 LTD

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  • SirCanucklehead
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21 Mar 2022 06:41 #864119 by SirCanucklehead
Replied by SirCanucklehead on topic LED headlight conversion
Thanks for the info. Part of me almost wants to ditch the whole housing and do a custom mounting solution, but if thats not doable I'll make sure to triple check the measurements.

1984 KZ550 LTD Shaft

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21 Mar 2022 07:35 #864123 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic LED headlight conversion
Some 650, 750 bikes came with H4 headlight shells. You can find one of those and then install an LED bulb. Also Redline cycle in Illinois sells an H4 shell. That’s how I upgraded to LED headlight. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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  • Scirocco
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21 Mar 2022 16:03 #864145 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic LED headlight conversion
Just to give you an example of a sealed LED unit and a H4 socket LED bulb depth.

 

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  • DOHC
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21 Mar 2022 17:55 #864157 by DOHC
Replied by DOHC on topic LED headlight conversion

Some 650, 750 bikes came with H4 headlight shells. You can find one of those and then install an LED bulb. Also Redline cycle in Illinois sells an H4 shell. That’s how I upgraded to LED headlight. 

Here is an example of the OEM h4 reflector.

eBay com/itm/384783088524

'78 Z1-R in blue , '78 Z1-R in black, '78 Z1-R in pieces
My dad's '74 Z1
'00 ZRX1100

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21 Mar 2022 18:04 #864158 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic LED headlight conversion

Some 650, 750 bikes came with H4 headlight shells. You can find one of those and then install an LED bulb. Also Redline cycle in Illinois sells an H4 shell. That’s how I upgraded to LED headlight. 

Here is an example of the OEM h4 reflector.

eBay com/itm/384783088524
Yeppers. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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  • Scirocco
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21 Mar 2022 18:41 - 21 Mar 2022 18:46 #864163 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic LED headlight conversion
ebay.com/itm/384783088524

I have added the missing dot for an easier marking and "go to" right mouse button click...
Last edit: 21 Mar 2022 18:46 by Scirocco.
The following user(s) said Thank You: DOHC

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  • ThatGPzGuy
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22 Mar 2022 05:43 #864169 by ThatGPzGuy
Replied by ThatGPzGuy on topic LED headlight conversion
Do your research before you purchase. LEDs are great but they are not all of the same quality. There is an article floating around regarding the specific requirements for motorcycles vs. automobiles. That being said, I converted my cafe bike to LED using a well-known Harley Davidson bulb and the results were "meh". Brighter certainly, but the quality of light produced was no better than OEM. 

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

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22 Mar 2022 07:04 #864172 by Nerdy
Replied by Nerdy on topic LED headlight conversion

Do your research before you purchase. LEDs are great but they are not all of the same quality. There is an article floating around regarding the specific requirements for motorcycles vs. automobiles.
 

I made sure to buy a motorcycle LED headlight assembly that is DOT approved. They cost more than the random non-approved items, but I figured that logo gave me better odds of the light working properly (which is kind of important) and there would be fewer issues when the time came for the state safety inspection.

1979 KZ400 Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R

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