Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
- brantc
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Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
04 Jul 2008 18:14
Hi, Neubie here....
I have an 81 Gpz1100 that when I put on the brakes the volt meter goes down. Is it supposed to do this?
I thought the regulator was supposed to prevent this?
I have also burned 2 stock stators out.....
Do I maybe have a short?
What is the best way to test my system, I am handy with a meter etc....
Brant
I have an 81 Gpz1100 that when I put on the brakes the volt meter goes down. Is it supposed to do this?
I thought the regulator was supposed to prevent this?
I have also burned 2 stock stators out.....

Do I maybe have a short?
What is the best way to test my system, I am handy with a meter etc....
Brant
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- rstnick
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
04 Jul 2008 18:19 - 04 Jul 2008 18:20
I put an aftermarket volt meter on my bike and the voltage drops anytime I use an extra electrical device: brake light, turn signal etc.
Oh, and welcome.
Pix are a must for all new members.
Love the GPzs.
Oh, and welcome.
Pix are a must for all new members.
Love the GPzs.

Rob
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project
Last edit: 04 Jul 2008 18:20 by rstnick.
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- KZQ
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
04 Jul 2008 18:43 - 04 Jul 2008 18:44
Hi Brant,
Here's a writeup for a 1000. I'm sure it's not exactly what you're looking for but it's a start.
KZ1000 Charging system diagnosis
Hope it helps
KZCSI
Here's a writeup for a 1000. I'm sure it's not exactly what you're looking for but it's a start.
KZ1000 Charging system diagnosis
Hope it helps
KZCSI
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Last edit: 04 Jul 2008 18:44 by KZQ.
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- MFolks
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
04 Jul 2008 19:14
As to why the stators are burning out I would look at the plug where the three yellow wire are going and the condition of the electrical connection. As I have stated yesterday my 82 GPZ1100 B2 smoked/burned some wires in the winding I think was related to the vibration make/break that was going on.
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- bill_wilcox100
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
04 Jul 2008 23:59
If it drops a lot... could be signs of a weak battery and or weak charging system and or too much load for your charging system. :dry:
Best of success!
Best of success!

1977 KZ650-B1 (Stock)
Upgrades:
- Dyna S Electronic Ignition (DS2-2)
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils (DC1-1)
- Coil Repowering Mod
- Progressive Springs Front & Rear
- Saddlemen Seat Cover
- New Metallic Red Re-Paint & Repro Badges.
Montreal, Canada
Upgrades:
- Dyna S Electronic Ignition (DS2-2)
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils (DC1-1)
- Coil Repowering Mod
- Progressive Springs Front & Rear
- Saddlemen Seat Cover
- New Metallic Red Re-Paint & Repro Badges.
Montreal, Canada
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- wiredgeorge
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
05 Jul 2008 08:32
I use a Kuryakn volt gauge... doesn't have readings but uses colored LEDs on my 79 KZ1000E1 ST. I just bought a volt meter for my touring bike, an 88 Voyager ZG1200B1 but haven't installed it yet. The Kuryakn gauge is super easy to install and the lights are easier to decipher than numbers in a real small package which is helpful if you are old and semi-blind like me.
wiredgeorge Motorcycle Carburetors
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
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- brantc
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
09 Jul 2008 10:23
Well I pulled my stator and tis burnt with a vengeance...
The exact wire that was mentioned.
Ordered a new from RM stator.
Checked my electrical plugs. They were corroded.
Put some Craig Deoxit on em including the regulator plug.
Charge my battery, put a battery trickle charger on it.
I get the new stator today........
Brant
The exact wire that was mentioned.
Ordered a new from RM stator.
Checked my electrical plugs. They were corroded.
Put some Craig Deoxit on em including the regulator plug.
Charge my battery, put a battery trickle charger on it.
I get the new stator today........
Brant
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- Saki Jockey
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
09 Jul 2008 12:23 - 09 Jul 2008 12:25
The whole electrical system on these old kawasaki's needs to be gone through with sandpaper (corrosion), brake cleaner (clean) and dielectric grease (prevention) on an at least bi-annual basis to keep them viable. As a bonus the dielectric grease keeps the insulation on the cables soft as well.
Rob A.
550 A4
GTA,
Ontario, Canada
550 A4
GTA,
Ontario, Canada
Last edit: 09 Jul 2008 12:25 by Saki Jockey.
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- Biquetoast
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
09 Jul 2008 18:01
wiredgeorge wrote:
I have the same gauge... two of the green LEDs burned out in the two years I've had it...
I use a Kuryakn volt gauge.....
I have the same gauge... two of the green LEDs burned out in the two years I've had it...

(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
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- wiredgeorge
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
10 Jul 2008 11:24
Could the be replaced?
wiredgeorge Motorcycle Carburetors
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
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www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
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- Biquetoast
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Re: Voltmeter on instrument cluster.
10 Jul 2008 12:36
wiredgeorge wrote:
Anyway, I never thought about replacing them. The worst part is that I have it stuck on the face of my tachometer with that industrial-strength two-sided tape they put on there...
You know, it was helpful in the early days of having my bike, figuring out the wiring, before I did the coil mod, and before I replaced the fuse box... I guess I don't really need it anymore anyway...
Hmm. I just disconnected it and forgot about it... it looked like a missing-tooth smile when it's lit up, and of course it was the most important LEDs that died... probably because they were always going on and off....Could the be replaced?
Anyway, I never thought about replacing them. The worst part is that I have it stuck on the face of my tachometer with that industrial-strength two-sided tape they put on there...
You know, it was helpful in the early days of having my bike, figuring out the wiring, before I did the coil mod, and before I replaced the fuse box... I guess I don't really need it anymore anyway...

(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com
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