No running tail light...

Bike is 1980 1000LTD.

The problem. In the ignition on position, when bike is off and running I have no running light for the tail light. Brake light works but running light doesn't. Changed bulb but didn't fix the problem.

Here's the weird part. I noticed when I turn the key to the right and take it out the running light works. I know this key position is there so lights stays on when parking the bike on the street.

But why would the running light work in that key position but not in the normal position...??

Also anyone know what bulbs I need for the cluster/instrument lights?

Color Codes On Most Kawasaki’s

HEADLIGHT
RED with BLACK stripe, High Beam.
RED with YELLOW stripe, Low Beam.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT will use #1157 bulb
RED, Running or Tail Light.
BLUE,(sometimes with a Red stripe) Brake Light Circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL will use #1157 bulb
GREEN, Left front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Left front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL will use #1157 bulb
GREY, Right front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Right front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL will use #1156 bulb
GREEN, Left rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL will use #1156 bulb
GREY, Right rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

As for instrument bulbs, some earlier bikes had bayonet(twist & turn sockets) the later ones had wedge base bulbs of either #168 or #194 bulbe.

Thanks for the info. Where should I start with this problem? Why would I have a running light with ignition turned to the right but not when ignition is in the "on" position... Again brake light works and bulb is good.

Check the fuses, if your bike has the older glass tubed fuses, they can fail but still look good.Auto parts stores should be able to get the AGX fuses for you. If not try the boating supply places. You're probably going to need 10,20 and possibly 30 amp fuses. A source for the glass tubed AGX fuses:
www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/2,4986.html

If it were me, I'd remove the tail light lens and check the socket(s) for corrosion and broken ground wiring.And then do a power on check with a multimeter(Black probe to the negative battery post or a good frame ground and the Red probe on the electrical contacts in the sockets.

Set the meter for VDC(volts, direct current0, range of 20 if no voltage, start checking the wiring, looking for corrosion in electrical connections and/or broken wiring.

likes2gofast2009 wrote: Bike is 1980 1000LTD.

"Here's the weird part. I noticed when I turn the key to the right and take it out the running light works. I know this key position is there so lights stays on when parking the bike on the street.

But why would the running light work in that key position but not in the normal position...??"

If the light "lights" in one position but not in another then wiring at the switch is buggered most likely. Those bullet connectors are not the best way to wire and over time they get dodgy. The rats nest of wires in the headlight bucket would be a place to check too.

Maybe someone would be so kind as to post a scan of the wiring diagram then you can do a wire trace a little easier.