Weak headlight

ThatGPzGuy
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Registered
More Sparky than Speed Racer
Posts: 1495
Thanks: 394

Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 08:19

Rode the bike in to work this morning. First day in two weeks without rain!
I have been noticing how weak my headlight is. It is yellow and does not illuminate very much. It is almost like not having a light on at all. However the high beam is nice and bright. Is this normal?
If it needs replacement is there a decent alternative to stock for the square headlights? This is on the 82 GPz750.
TIA,
Jim

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

650ed
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 15333
Thanks: 2833

Re: Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 08:53 - 22 Aug 2013 08:54

#602589

You shouldn't need to replace the headlight. The stock headlight will have a replaceable bulb; I'm pretty sure it is the "H4" type, so they are readily available. The stock 55 / 60 watt bulb should be plenty bright even on low beam, so if you replace the bulb and low beam is still dim you need to check the wiring. Ed

Attachment 00001_2013-08-22.jpg not found

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Attachments:

Last edit: 22 Aug 2013 08:54 by 650ed.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

koolaid_kid
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 783
Thanks: 99

Re: Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 12:49

#602628

The rectangular headlight on my 83 has an H4 bulb, pretty sure yours does also. When I replace mine I will use something like the Sylvania 9003/HB2/H4 SU SilverStar Ultra Halogen Headlight Bulb.

However, a yellow glow usually indicates low voltage, so I suggest checking the voltage first.

1983 GPz 750
810 Wiseco, Kerker, K&N, DynoJet S3, Accel, Progressive, etc.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

MFolks
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 6650
Thanks: 541

Re: Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 13:08

#602634

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

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Kidkawie
Offline
User
Registered
I bleed premix
Posts: 1913
Thanks: 243

Re: Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 13:17

#602636

Sounds like a bad/corroded connection somewhere. Have had that on all my Kaw street bikes at some point or another. Break out the WD40 and start unplugging and spraying.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

koolaid_kid
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 783
Thanks: 99

Re: Weak headlight

22 Aug 2013 14:09

#602645

Kidkawie wrote: Sounds like a bad/corroded connection somewhere. Have had that on all my Kaw street bikes at some point or another. Break out the WD40 and start unplugging and spraying.

I agree mostly. Rather that using Water Displacement formula 40 (WD40) I recommend Deoxit D5, which is specifically designed for the task.

1983 GPz 750
810 Wiseco, Kerker, K&N, DynoJet S3, Accel, Progressive, etc.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

ThatGPzGuy
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Registered
More Sparky than Speed Racer
Posts: 1495
Thanks: 394

Re: Weak headlight

23 Aug 2013 08:12

#602752

I guess I spoke too soon. Rained like h*ll on the way home.

Thanks for the help. I'll pull the bulb and check the connections.
Jim

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Motor Head
Offline
User
Registered
FIX UP YOUR BIKE RIGHT AND CHEAP
Posts: 5137
Thanks: 393

Re: Weak headlight

23 Aug 2013 09:15

#602755

"File Base" has your wiring diagram for you.
www.kzrider.com/filebase/doc_download/312-z750r1

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...

The following user(s) said Thank You: ThatGPzGuy

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

ThatGPzGuy
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Registered
More Sparky than Speed Racer
Posts: 1495
Thanks: 394

Re: Weak headlight

25 Aug 2013 09:27

#602969

Thanks Motor Head. That diagram was a big help. I also figured out why my running lights were not working.
Jim

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

ThatGPzGuy
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Registered
More Sparky than Speed Racer
Posts: 1495
Thanks: 394

Re: Weak headlight

27 Aug 2013 20:15

#603394

Well that worked out pretty well. I cleaned the connections and got the bulb a little brighter. Since I already had it out I went ahead and bought a new bulb at the local AP store. Rode the bike into work this morning and I noticed a great improvement. In fact I didn't even bother changing my face shield from black to clear. Much better and safer too...
Thanks,
Jim

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

MFolks
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 6650
Thanks: 541

Re: Weak headlight

27 Aug 2013 21:13

#603403

H4 bulbs get dimmer with time, so every so often, do a walk around, with the lights on & replace all other bulbs(running, brake,& turn signals),too.

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.