Bare minimum?

I'm re-building my KZ650 bike as a ratracer/cafe type bike and I'm looking to do the bare minimum in terms of electrical. I'm removing the starter, running it kick-start only, and I will have no signals. The only brake light will be when the front brake is activated, not the rear, and the headlight will be wired to low-beams all the time w/o a switch.

I am mechanically inclined but never have dealt with wiring...is there an easy way to figure out what I do and do not need? I think I will probably have to enlist some help but if anyone has a quick explanation of the "essentials" for what I'm doing (or even a bare-bones wiring diagram) it would be much appreciated!

Thanks for any and all help.

Mrk-d:

Where are you in Socal? I have a Haynes manual with all the wiring diagrams you can reference. I can try to scan it to pdf but thought I would check to see how far apart we are. I'm in Poway (San Diego).

Once you start pulling the controls apart you'll see what you need and what you can get rid of. I rewired my 79kz 650 as I swapped motors and controls from a donor bike. Once you get into the harness you'll see but the diagrams do help a lot.

Brian

Up here in northern California turn signals are required for street use. I thought it was that way across the state?!

mrk_d wrote:

I will have no signals.

I am mechanically inclined but never have dealt with wiring...is there an easy way to figure out what I do and do not need?

If you ride in CA and want to keep the Po-Po off your ass...... Turn signals are a MUST! you can do REALLY tiny LED ones, well hidden, but you must have them unless you are fond of tickets.

Depending where you are in CA i will willingly help you out wiring wise for the cost of Gas, Materials a Beer n a Sammich... PM me

Martyn

bare bones is good! :laugh:

Pic is really big for easy reading...

Hope it helps.

wire headlight/ taillight to come on when key is on .put a magneto on there and youll really simplify things,or make one of Lous capacitor ignition systems for it

PLUMMEN wrote:

wire headlight/ taillight to come on when key is on .put a magneto on there and youll really simplify things,or make one of Lous capacitor ignition systems for it

Better, add relay to turn them on after bike is started. No reason to waste juice while kicking. Only add about 5oz and make it a little more trick. As for turn signals, they are worth it, unless your building a track bike it is nice to have something flashy to keep the other drivers from moving into your space.

Check out this post for a wiring diagram:

Bare Bones