headlite

Have a 1975 Z1-B 900, bike has been almost totally apart, as bike was being re-assembled all wiring harness connectors were cleaned thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner , male and female connectors all.Connections were "Tight" and no corrosion when reassembled 8 months ago Bike has new sealed beam, new battery, many new portions of wiring harness,new battery cables, where ground cable connects to frame cleaned,new handlebar switches, charging system working fine, bike starts and runs good,when riding the bike at night.... headlite is dim.... even if on high beam ....its a little brighter not much. Is this just what is "Normal" for a 40 year old bike with a sealed beam?
Has anyone upgraded their "Z" to a "Halogen" headlite bulb? and will bikes stock battery and charging system handle such an upgrade? Washere a noticeable improvement?
Thanks
ED

Here's what I use; it works great! Assuming your light is a 7" unit it should work for you too. Ed

www.summitracing.com/parts/WAG-H6024/

Did you also clean and check the wiring for high and low beam switch in the left handlebar switch pod? Some of these older bikes have had the soldered joints crumble, so look at both left and right handlebar switch pods. I believe a forum member "Motorhead" had to re-solder his run/stop switch.

duplicate

Thanks!
Do you think the stock charging system will keep up? Did you notice a big difference?
Thanks Again
ED

Both handlebar switches are new
Thanks

ed spangler wrote: Thanks!
Do you think the stock charging system will keep up? Did you notice a big difference?
Thanks Again
ED

I did notice a big improvement. Assuming your stock charging system is working properly it should have no problem powering the Wagner Halogen sealed beam. I've been using them for years on my 1977 KZ650, which has the stock charging system, and have never experienced any charging issues. Ed

WOW! Thanks Ed, I been lookin for a decently priced halogen that would fit my bike, all the bike shops want about 50 bucks.:S

ed spangler wrote: Thanks!
Do you think the stock charging system will keep up? Did you notice a big difference?
Thanks Again
ED

The halogen headlamp is about the same wattage as the stock incandescent lamp. 6024 is about 45/65W (LOW/HIGH) and stock is around 35/55. No worries on the alternator driving it. Much brighter (maybe 3X) than stock and light is blue-white not pale yellow.

Just out of curiosity, what is the voltage (Vdc) on the back of the head light connections in reference to ground when switched on in low & high beam operations?

Different Vdc measurement when referencing to frame versus negative battery post?

Old Man Rock wrote: Just out of curiosity, what is the voltage (Vdc) on the back of the head light connections in reference to ground when switched on in low & high beam operations?

Different Vdc measurement when referencing to frame versus negative battery post?

+1

This tests voltage being received at the headlight bulb in comparison to actual battery voltage, to determine whether there's any voltage being lost somewhere alone the line between the battery and the headlight.

Battery voltage should measure 12+ both when engine is not running and when engine is at idle rpm.

Battery voltage should measure 14+ when engine is running at 4000 rpm.

Comparative measurements of voltage being actually received at the headlight bulb may also be determined under these same no-rpm, idle-rpm and 4000-rpm conditions.

Good Fortune!

Color Codes On Most Kawasaki’s (written for 1980’s bikes)

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

BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT Can be an # 1157 dual filament 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 Can be an #1157 dual filament bulb
GREEN, Left front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Left front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL Can be an # 1157 dual filament bulb
GREY, Right front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Right front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL Can be an #1156 single filament bulb
GREEN, Left rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL Can be an #1156 single filament bulb
GREY, Right rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.