Higher Wattage Headlight Bulb OK?

So I've got to replace the headlight bulb on my KZ750B1. It's old (76) and none of the electrical, charging system or ignition coil have been changed.

Is it ok for me to use a higher wattage bulb like 60W/55W instead of 35W/50W ?

It would be nice and bright but I don't want to cause problems with the bike with a different bulb.

Many thanks in advance, I'm trying to order the thing today so I can get it inspected this weekend!

I changed mine over to a Super White car head lamp. No problems here.

What is the old lo-beam wattage and what is the new lo-beam wattage. You have a 10A (140Wat) alternator just so you know.

The old low one is 35W, the one I want to go with is 55W.

Since I have a 140W alternator, does that mean this jump to higher watt bulbs should be just fine?

The new bulb will draw about half of your available power from the alternator. This is marginal but OK. If you don't have to ride with your headlight on I wouldn't. If you have a aftermarket electronic ignition it draws about 6A and that will put you at the top end of available power. At That point you would have to switch ALL of your other lights like tail and turn signals to LED. The other option is to get a new aftermarket hi-output alternator.

You are much better off simply replacing the whole headlight with a 7" halogen sealed beam which will be rated about 40/55W ballpark, but is about 3X as bright as the crappy bulb units. The sealed beam drop ins are available everywhere and don't draw more power, they just put out more light than stock.

I agree. That is the best.

When Kawasaki went to halogen bulbs in about 79 or so they had all kind of problems which made them install 20A alternators on the new bikes.

I've been running a 7" Wagner Halogen light for years in my stock '77 KZ650 with no problems. You should be fine as long as you don't have any aux. stuff (air conditioner, power steering, heated seat, etc.) hooked up. Ed

ok, good to hear this. i can always swap out the bulb for a more suitable one if i start to experience issues. anybody know what those problems the bikes had in '79? things to watch for?

One of the three phases on the alternator would burn out. That is what happened to me when I put a Halogen Semi-Sealed beam on my 77 KZ1000

Where do you find these alternator output figures? For 8 straight years I took a 5,000-10,000 mile trip each summer on the 1979 1000MKII and used a 95w (I think)halogen bulb, wore electric gloves, vest and chaps and even at that I had to add water to the battery every day to top it off and it never missed a beat. Of course didn't need all this electric 100% of the time, but a good 10% or more.