Better headlite for my 78 KZ650+Kutter fairing?

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24 Apr 2014 09:44 #630213 by OLKZ
Got a 1978 KZ-650 with a Kutter fairing. I'm thinking of replacing the signal and marker bulbs with LEDs, but the real question is, can I get a better headlight that sucks less juice and is brighter?

There's just the one central light-- no side lights or anything (the signals are on those little stalks.

1978 KZ650B2 - Blue - runs!
New Dyna-S ignition & coils 6-2014

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24 Apr 2014 09:48 #630214 by 650ed
Here's what I use. It's a drop-in direct replacement for the stock 7" unit. It draws almost the exact power as the stock light, but it is brighter because it is Halogen. Ed

www.summitracing.com/parts/WAG-H6024/

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

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24 Apr 2014 13:12 - 24 Apr 2014 13:16 #630232 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Better headlite for my 78 KZ650+Kutter fairing?
Another possible option is to get the halogen headlight assy from an 80s KZ750-4: lens unit, halogen bulb, & dust cover. My 81 650-CSR came stock with a dull sealed beam unit, but I converted to halogen, using the stuff from an 82 750-Ltd. It was an easy direct fit to my headlight bucket. Most KZs have the exact same headlight parts: rim, ring, etc. The buckets may vary some, but I think the headlight fitment is kinda universal (not including the smaller bikes which have a smaller headlight)..
Last edit: 24 Apr 2014 13:16 by martin_csr.

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24 Apr 2014 14:35 #630243 by OLKZ
650ed:

I don't have a sealed beam; the fairing has a Dorcy headlamp housing with a bulb that screws into the back. I wonder if I can convert it to a sealed beam like you suggest.

1978 KZ650B2 - Blue - runs!
New Dyna-S ignition & coils 6-2014

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24 Apr 2014 14:42 - 24 Apr 2014 14:43 #630244 by 650ed
I'm not familiar with a Dorcy lamp, but if it's a 7" lens with an H4 bulb in the back you should be able to switch it over. I say this because I have run an H4 type bulb & lens in my stock hosing before and it was a direct fit. You may want to pull the lamp from yours and take it to an auto parts store to compare it to a standard 7" car sealed bulb. Take a close look at the back perimeter of the lens, it should have a couple alignment bumps cast into it that fit into depressions in the housing. If they match you should be ok. Ed

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 24 Apr 2014 14:43 by 650ed.

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28 Apr 2014 07:37 - 28 Apr 2014 07:38 #630675 by OLKZ
Thanks 650ed, you nailed it. It was indeed an H4 lamp, with the output and current draw printed right on it. I went to one autoparts store where they didn't have one H4 bulb anywhere. The second place had many choices, from bright, to brighter, to brightest. I took the housing along and matched it up. I bought the brightest one they had ($27) and it fits perfectly.

I'll have to make a couple of night runs to see if it's actually brighter. It draws the same current (65 watts, maybe? Don't remember) as the original.

1978 KZ650B2 - Blue - runs!
New Dyna-S ignition & coils 6-2014
Last edit: 28 Apr 2014 07:38 by OLKZ.

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28 Apr 2014 10:08 #630690 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Better headlite for my 78 KZ650+Kutter fairing?
I'm not familiar w the Dorcy lamp either, but assuming it has a lens unit, it may need cleaning.
The 750 lens unit I got was kinda foggy white, so I cleaned it using a clean cloth dampened w denatured alcohol & taped to a rod -->>> clean lens = brighter light.

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