dash light bulbs

can anyone please guide me on how to replace dash light bulbs on a 1978 KZ1000Z1R, i have removed the fairing already,not sure how to proceed,thanks in advance for any feedback.

I can't speak specifically about the Z1R but on my bikes there is a main plate holding the gauges and the ignition. You need to remove anything that prevents you from getting at your gauges...possibly your headlight and signals. Then remove the gauges. There should be light bulbs in the gauges themselves. Then remove the dash panel to access your dash lights.

The attached photos show the Z1 dash panel from the top side and bottom side. You can see the panel lights in the first photo. The bottom photo shows where the gauges are held on.

Kawasaki.com & Partzilla have exploded diagrams. Partzilla is easier to use. The bulb sockets are incased in rubber & the rubber tends to harden over time. The meter sockets can be incredibly difficult to remove >> I use silicone spray lubricant.


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martin_csr wrote: ... The meter sockets can be incredibly difficult to remove >> I use silicone spray lubricant.

Good advice to use thin lube to remove the rubber sockets. After 40+ yrs. they're usually hard, prone to cracking & tearing when removed from their mounting holes.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Silicone spray. Liquid wrench is the best silicone spray I've used & I use it to clean just about everything on the motorcycle & for lubricating rubber parts. I don't like CRC silicone spray as it has a significant amount of acetone. PB Blaster makes a silicone garage door lubricant, but their product is under too much pressure & splats everywhere when sprayed. DuPont also makes a silicone spray, but I like LW better & it's cheaper.

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