Help! '76 KZ900 Tail Light Stays On

Hi All,

I'm a motorcycle/mechanics newbie, and I need what may be some basic electrical help:

Yesterday, I got my 1976 KZ900 A4 out of storage for the winter, and installed a new battery. After sucessfully starting & running the bike for about 60 miles, I parked the bike for the day when I noticed the tail light remained on after shutting the bike off.

Back when I installed the battery, I snuck a long phillips screwdriver down between some red & black wires to reach the battery's negative wire mount. My thought is I might have disturbed the wires I snuck the screwdriver past and caused a short of some kind.

Here's what I did to troubleshoot so far: I removed the main fuse, and the tail light turned off (removing the tail light fuse didn't turn the tail light off).

At this point, I need to pop the main fuse back in for the lights to work. A temporary solution at best

Any thoughts on how to proceed/troubleshoot? Again, I'm a complete newbie here.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Cheers,
Andy

Check the switch by the rear brake pedal. Insert fuse and lift up on the spring. Check front switch by inserting fuse and disconnecting one wire. Roy

WhatTheFlyinFudge, Welcome.
The ignition switch has a parking light function (rear tail lamp on, ignition off, key removed).
If you turned the ignition off clockwise(to the right)this activates it. Off (no light) is to the left.
Jim

Holy crap, you could be a genius. I could also be an idiot. I do remember turing the key all the way to the right before removing it.

I think it's time for me to get the KZ900 Clymer manual and study the shit out of it.

Thanks Jim!

As I had done the same thing, I fall closer to the second catagory than the first. Keeping old motorcycles running gives plenty of opportunity to prove such.

A factory service manual is a better choice than aftermarket. Ebay or check the KZ tab at the top of the page. May be an electronic copy available.

Check out the KZR Relay Ride East Coast post and join in if you are so inclined. It is in the Conn. area now and heading to Maine.

Jim

Rainman wrote: WhatTheFlyinFudge, Welcome.
The ignition switch has a parking light function (rear tail lamp on, ignition off, key removed).
If you turned the ignition off clockwise(to the right)this activates it. Off (no light) is to the left.
Jim

When I first got my 750 I ran the battery flat doing that. Doh !
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Guys,

It was the parking light function. Battery is SAVED.

Thanks a million for the help!