Question about flashers (relays)

1979 KZ650B3

Regulator went bad and blew out almost every bulb on the bike. Got that fixed.

Found some wiring issues, got them fixed, too.

There were no flashers on the bike. Went by the used parts shop and got 2 flashers. One was bad, but I hooked the good one up to the emergency flashers. They work, but, flash very slowly.

Went by the Kawasaki shop for factory units. They list two different flashers: the turn signal flasher is 32.00, and the emergency flasher flasher is 50.00. He says it'll take a week or 10 days to get them in. I asked if any 12 volt motorcycle flasher would work; he said "no", that the resistance is unique on these. I told him I'd let him know.

Is there a better (as in cheaper) solution for this?

Also, The bike has aftermarket turn signals, using much smaller bulbs than the 1157 in the taillight and (I believe) in the original turn signals. Is that an issue?

Thanks

Go to any auto parts store and they will be able to help you out.
The dude at the Kaw shop is full of it.
I don't think that part at the auto store will be over $10.

mariozappa wrote:

The dude at the Kaw shop is full of it.

Mariozappa is being nice. Never trust that parts guy again. Your bike uses 4 1157 elements or similar, just like many other bikes and cars.
Get an electronic one at any parts store. They even have two-terminal ones that should plug right in. The electronic ones flash consistently even at different voltages and loads.

When I spoke of the bulbs, I was referring to the ones in the turn signals. They're aftermarket, and use a smaller bulb. I assumed the factory one used an 1157.

As far as the flasher goes, the one that I have on the emergency lights works, but flashes very slowly. Is that not related to resistance?

seanof30306 wrote:

When I spoke of the bulbs, I was referring to the ones in the turn signals. They're aftermarket, and use a smaller bulb. I assumed the factory one used an 1157.

As far as the flasher goes, the one that I have on the emergency lights works, but flashes very slowly. Is that not related to resistance?

The electronic ones don't really care about the resistance, so that's what you should get. Like Mariozappa said, it should be less than $10.

That's awesome. Thanks for the help, guys.

so I am having a similar problem, I look at relays online and they are $50+ for my 1978 kz750. I have been to the autozone and they will not even stock the part. The relay has four wires going into it two are bigger than the other two. Do I have to get the kaw part or can I just splice the two positive wires together and the two negative wires together and then attach them to a 12V relay assay? Any help on this would be great. Thanks.

Alec

I have been to the autozone and they will not even stock the part

The part is an AUTOMOTIVE REALY that is pretty much universal for most cars, works on the bikes too.

It should look something like this...

I changed the turn signal flasher on my '76 900. I got and electronic unit from Autozone. I think it's a Triden TL-12, or something like that. Ask the clerk. My turn signals flashed real slow until I put in the new flasher, now they're perfect. Direct replacement, just plug it in. Even fits in the bike's flasher holder like it was made for it.

thanks for the replys, the relay was so rusted that I thought it was a lot bigger than it actually was, I was looking at the relays with the relay and the part that it plugs into at the store. thanks guys, fixed.

I've had a set of heavy duty automotive flashers in my bike for 15 years and they still work great!

yeah, actually I thought I was being dumb and I'd just have to pull out a plug, but when I checked I do actually have to replace the whole relay. Call the kaw dealership and its like $50, some kids were playing on the bike and broke the clutch cable so I just ordered the two parts together.

In the past I was talking to the clerks at autozone and one guy suggested that I splice the wires and then connect them directly to a 12V relay. But, I am just too scared to do that because it would cost a lot more than the $50 if I mess up all my wiring. However, if someone does figure out a way to avoid the $50 part they should post it up here. I think actually the new part from the kaw dealership will have a 12V relay plug because the guy said that it will be slightly different when I replace it. Agg 7-10 days of no riding a beautiful weather!