too much headlight?

sup guys... as most of you know i have a custom Kz chopper w/ a custom wiring harness!

I have a H4 headlight

i am having problems w/ the bike keeping charge. The other day i bought a h4 headlight. so i was riding around w/ just the taillight working, the bike was keeping charge awsome and volts showed 14.4v when revd. Now since i put this H4 headlight its like its not able to keep up w/ the power draw of the light! i have yet to be able to check Volts as im waiting to recharge the battery, then try it! i can see when i rev it up the light brightens up a bit. so i know its charging, just dont know if this light is too much?


i dont have any other things running off the battery except, dyna S, headlight , and taillight.
also i have the headlight wired on BRIGHT all times

Post edited by: DemonSpeed, at: 2007/06/03 21:15

I have an H4 headlight and have no charging problems.

ok just got done charging the battery...


at idle its at 13.0 - 13.5

when reved up steady its at 13.8-14.7

so it shows its charging...

i dont know if the battery is just loosing power... or if i just installed the headlight when the battery was not quite charged enough? im gonna ride it for a few hours tommorow and see if it stays fully charged or not!

i used wg's coil mod for my headlight.
blinding cagers since last october!

ok guys just got back from a short ride


get 12.1 - 12.5 idle

and 13.2 - 13.9 at 4000


is this too low? is the battery not keeping the charge?

H4's commonly exceed the amperage output intended by the manufacture.

I use an H4 on my 78, no problems at all. I did change all my brake and turn signals to LED's just in case, but it seems like I didnt need to. I always drive with the headlight on, much of it is stop and go and low RPM. I've had problems keeping a charge twice years ago. Once the battery was just getting weak, the second time I discovered the "rotor" (alternator) was slipping on the crank shaft. Come to find out 1978 KZ-1000's have no keyway and rely on pressure to hold it on. Well it wore out somehow and was spinning on the shaft. I rigged it with tin foil and locktite and it still works fine 6 years later. ( I do have a spare on the shelf for the day it doesnt anymore). I'm not saying either of those is your problem, but I would test the charging circuit and the amp draw of the bike per the service manual or search the forums for WiredGeorge's detailed testing instructions he has given to others. I think you have a weak charging system. May be as simple as a bad connection somewhere.

Check your battery with a M/C Hydrometer

little update fellers!


im getting around +20 AC at idle from the stator

and around 65 - 70 at 4000

so i know the stator is pumpin juice

i just went and bought a new battery and am letting it set on the charger right now and will try first thing tommorow morning!