80 kz1000 dash lights

The new to me kz only has the high beam indicator working, I ordered a new instrument panel wiring harness due to the sockets falling apart when coming out of the instruments. Anyway can someone give me a rundown on these lights, I'm sure one is low oil pressure and one is neutral, what's the other one and also what does the headlight indicator in the gauge do, light with the headlight or light when it's out? The clutch switch has been removed will that affect the neutral light?
I read something about a lighting reserve unit, Goldwings have that and most guys remove it. I see a couple newer wires possibly for that reason?

Hi Don, See the photo below for the light sequence. I believe the clutch switch first appeared in 1981. My wife has one on her 1981 KZ550. I don't have one on my 1980 KZ1000.

Stop lamp was the one I couldn't read, I assume the headlamp indicator light is on when the headlamp is also? I noticed a socket in the clutch lever mount where a switch might go I'm hoping the new harness and some ground work will get everything working again.

Trying to reply for the 3rd time. My posts keep disappearing.

Yes, there is a light in the tach for the headlight.

You are correct. There is a spot on the clutch perch for a switch. My bike has the spot on the perch but doesn't have the switch. I rewired it several years ago but don't recall anything to do with that circuit, although it shows in the wiring diagram.

By hardrockminer: .... I believe the clutch switch first appeared in 1981. My wife has one on her 1981 KZ550. I don't have one on my 1980 KZ1000.

At least as early as 1977 several KZ models had a clutch lever switch. 650B/C. 750B. 1000A/B.
A 1980 1000 probably should've had one, and if yours is missing, someone may have removed it. if there isn't a place on the perch to attach a clutch switch, someone may have swapped clutch perches.

Martin is correct. If your 1980 Kawasaki does not have a clutch lever switch someone did a switcharoo (switcharoo :lol: ) sometime in the past. Those starter lockout switches had been standard stock equipment on Kawasaki's well before 1980. Ed

I doubt I'll replace the clutch switch. The one on my 78 gl1000 made me go to neutral to start. That sucks when you kill it at a light and need a quick restart. Very rare but it does happen, at least to me. The old cb750's I'm used to don't have the switch. I would like to see the neutral light work though.
I'm enjoying this kz, I tried a big 82 Yamaha triple and also an 80 Honda cb900c and didn't like working on them much at all. I just got them running and found them a home. My brother is a former Kawasaki mechanic, he's enjoying watching what I'm doing with it. Won't help but keeps tabs on me.

The problem with the neutral light could be the bulb. check the bulb & also check for voltage there.
Another possibility is the neutral switch. It could be as simple as a dirty connection >> it can get pretty grungy from chain sling. Mine was glitchy, so I cleaned it up. The flag terminal was a tad loose, so I crimped it a little for a good, tight connection. Whenever you have the engine/sprocket cover off, you should clean up the neutral switch & connector.

Clutch switch. there are probably at least several listed on eebbaayy.

Thanks for that info Martin. I'll find it and clean it up while the bike's on the lift. When I trace the ground wire it looks ok but there is a ground problem in the lights. With the key on, the turn indicators glow until I ground the outside of the bulb socket, then they go off and the gauge background lights come on. They then blink normally too.

I checked the wiring diagram and yes, it shows a clutch switch. Looks like a black wire coming from the starter kill switch and another black wire on the opposite side going to the starter solenoid. I suspect if you direct hook those two wires you will be OK to go without clutching in when you start the bike.

I bought my KZ1000 several years ago and put a new wiring harness on it. Don't remember how I got around the switch wiring. I don't ride this bike much because I have a couple of Z1B's that I prefer. But the KZ1000 is far more powerful.

The harness came and it has only 10 lights. The 11th one apparently is the headlight indicator in the gauge. If I need it I can make it work with a good socket from the old harness. The 9 pin plug on the bike has an extra wire that bypasses the plug, it may be this light. I'm assuming it was a limited use thing only on some bikes.

I read the above, used search and a manual, the unknown lights are headlight and tail light out for the reserve lighting unit. I don't believe it's in operation so my only concerns ae the neutral and oil pressure lights. Hopefully the new harness will put them into operation, otherwise I have two switches to check.

The B/Y pin on the bike side of the 9 pin connector is blue with corrosion and doesn't make contact. I think I got it figured out.

Let me know if you continue to have issues. My bike is put away for the winter but I can get it out and look at the wiring. I don't recall specifically but I think I bought new harnesses for it when I got the bike a couple of years ago. I had it stripped right down to the frame, so I know I had the harnesses removed. Wiring was relatively easy as the wires are all coloured to match, and the plugs are all easy to identify. I have a wiring diagram somewhere that I could copy and send if you need one.