I want to turn off the headlight

And the running lights too.

My 77 kz650 had the switch and so does my 77 kz1000 parts bike, made in Japan.
I suppose it is an American thing because my A2A was built in Nebraska and is automatic.
Any way I liked having the option of turning them off.
Is it as simple as interrupting the common black and yellow ground wire to the lights
or is it a major PITA.

JD

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.

If your bike has the Kawasaki supplied "Reserve Lighting System", you'll need to have a double pole switch control both high and low beams on the headlight. The running lights in the front are powered by a blue wire going to both running lights.

I suppose a three pole(or a four pole, with an unused pole), double throw switch will meet your needs, controlling the headlight & running lights, now the question is, where to mount it?

It's doable but most states require headlight on for motorcycle operation. In California, it's flatly illegal to modify the lights at all so you have to have whatever it came from the factory with.

My '79 has the headlight always on (no switch) but the handlebar cast assembly still has the writing on it for "lights" and "on" and "off" where the switch used to be so I guess I just missed the year when it had the switch.

Head Light ON at all times = Safety Measure.
I would leave it On, there are enough bad drivers out there. Don't put the odds anymore in their favor. :ohmy:

Motor Head wrote: Head Light ON at all times = Safety Measure.
I would leave it On, there are enough bad drivers out there. Don't put the odds anymore in their favor. :ohmy:

and i will second that

Motor Head wrote: Head Light ON at all times = Safety Measure.
I would leave it On, there are enough bad drivers out there. Don't put the odds anymore in their favor. :ohmy:

I'll third that, well said.
It saves lives up here in Canada, trust me

However, I did add the option to turn the light off for the addition power when starting. I am diligent in turning the lights back on as soon as the engine is started. Lights on means you're seen.

Theres a circuit design by Lou D. (loudvhx) here somewhere that shows how to have the lights come on automatically after the engine starts. Try the search/google or maybe he'll pop up here and set you up.

Good luck.

Thanks guys,

The reason was for starting and working on the bike and the occasional time at night when a headlight can be an annoyance .
I have the switch housing off the 77 and it has the off/on for the lights, I was hoping for an easy mod.
If it's to much of a hassle I have bigger fish to fry.

I'm always a big fan of safety and having the lights on while riding and wearing a brain bucket is a givin

JD

bluej58 wrote: Thanks guys,

The reason was for starting and working on the bike and the occasional time at night when a headlight can be an annoyance .
I have the switch housing off the 77 and it has the off/on for the lights, I was hoping for an easy mod.
If it's to much of a hassle I have bigger fish to fry.

I'm always a big fan of safety and having the lights on while riding and wearing a brain bucket is a givin

JD

If you have the switch housing, then just test it with an Ohm meter. It probably does what your first thought was, Interrupts the ground. Maybe the connector is the same? Or the wires can be taken out of their position in one connector and put into the other, to mate them?

bluej58 wrote: Thanks guys,

The reason was for starting

JD

I have a relay system on mine that disconnects all the lights when the starter button is depressed. Definitely increases battery life.

bluej58 wrote: the occasional time at night when a headlight can be an annoyance...

:laugh: You need to elaborate on this shit... :laugh:

TeK9iNe wrote:

bluej58 wrote: the occasional time at night when a headlight can be an annoyance...

:laugh: You need to elaborate on this shit... :laugh:

My bet's on bluej58 planning for that very infrequent experience when you might need to make a quick exit of the main road and go into stealth mode while still running.

Bill

KZCSI wrote:

TeK9iNe wrote:

bluej58 wrote: the occasional time at night when a headlight can be an annoyance...

:laugh: You need to elaborate on this shit... :laugh:

My bet's on bluej58 planning for that very infrequent experience when you might need to make a quick exit of the main road and go into stealth mode while still running.

Bill

I was thinking more like a Drive In Movie...But that is a option too...LOL :woohoo: