Dumb question about rear turn signals

I have a 79 KZ 1000 shaft drive. My bike originally came with hard plastic saddle bags with the rear turn signals molded into the saddle bags. I have removed the saddle bags and I'm now looking for replacement rear chrome turn signals to mount. I have seen the turn signals in black plastic, and chrome. Was wondering from the factory, what did the 79 KZ1000 shaft drive originally without saddle bags come with, chrome, or plastic? I have a good lead on some OEM rear lights, but it dosent say if the lights are plastic, or chrome. Need to know before I order them....

Thanks!

This website might be able to answer your questions: www.kandstech.com/


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.

The stock units had a metal housing, the aftermarket cheapies are typically plastic.

Good info!

Ok, so I got in a set of metal ones (2 wire) and have connected them, they come on (like running lights) but don't blink when I click the turn signal up, or down? Any ideas where to/how to start trouble shooting them?

Please advise...

Q; Did the fronts blink before you hooked up the new rears? A1; If yes, Did you refer to mfolks color codes/your FSM diagram? (Something could be crossed) A2; If no, I would look at the flasher(s). Make ABSOLUTELY sure that you have a good clean ground at each corner too...Good luck! I hate chasing electrical problems! LOL!

Serpent7 wrote: Ok, so I got in a set of metal ones (2 wire) and have connected them, they come on (like running lights) but don't blink when I click the turn signal up, or down? Any ideas where to/how to start trouble shooting them?

Please advise...

If they are single filament, they are turn signal only. If they come on as running lights, they are connected as running light which is wrong. They have to connect to the turn signal power line. On the stock bike, the fronts are dual filament for running/turn and rears were single filament for TS only.

Grumpy Ole Artist wrote: Q; Did the fronts blink before you hooked up the new rears? A1; If yes, Did you refer to mfolks color codes/your FSM diagram? (Something could be crossed) A2; If no, I would look at the flasher(s). Make ABSOLUTELY sure that you have a good clean ground at each corner too...Good luck! I hate chasing electrical problems! LOL!

I never tried the forks only (blinking, or not)… My rear lights are the dual filament though so that is an issue. I do however, I do want running lights, and turn signals in the rear.

bountyhunter wrote:

Serpent7 wrote: Ok, so I got in a set of metal ones (2 wire) and have connected them, they come on (like running lights) but don't blink when I click the turn signal up, or down? Any ideas where to/how to start trouble shooting them?

Please advise...

If they are single filament, they are turn signal only. If they come on as running lights, they are connected as running light which is wrong. They have to connect to the turn signal power line. On the stock bike, the fronts are dual filament for running/turn and rears were single filament for TS only.

Haha! Well I guess that is one of my problems… I have the dual filament in the rears also. So my rears, as well as my turn signals are running lights as well as turn signals.

A crazy thought… Can I just run my rear lights with my front lights? In theory, that would make them as running lights, as well as turn signals provided my fronts work, right?

Check with your state police or license dept. Some states do not allow amber(yellow) running lights in the rear as this could get you a ticket.

Unhook what you have done in the back, and see if you have correctly functioning running lights and blinkers in front. If you are "locked in" to the signals you have and can't or don't want to return them, I suppose you could simply not use one leg of the wiring and use only half of a dual filament fixture. And yeah, Yellow lights in the rear could get you cited...a set of Red lenses would probably bolt right on as a replacement...but...
I would get the correct parts...Got a multimeter? They can be pretty handy! Good luck!

edited for additional info:
Ahh, gotcha! I suppose one COULD run jumpers to the front running lights, giving you "rear running lights", but that might detract from the visibility/discernability of the brake light...I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than myself will chime in as to the potential pros & cons!

MFolks wrote: Check with your state police or license dept. Some states do not allow amber(yellow) running lights in the rear as this could get you a ticket.

CORRECT. Which is why I sprayed mine red so I could have running lights/turn signals in the rear and they also act as brake lights. But they do have to be red.

There are red lenses available from cop bikes I have seen them on ebay.