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Z1 headlight

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 3:46 pm
Author: Adrian90s
my high beam on the headlight has blown, do I have to buy a full headlight and back bowl?
Mine appears to be a sealed unit.
Thanks
Adrian

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:06 pm
Author: CAT3
Can you post a picture of the rear of the headlight unit, that way someone, hopefully, will be able to give a definitive answer.

If it is a non-standard sealed beam unit then yes, you will have to replace the complete unit. Does it have a side light filament ?

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:54 pm
Author: Adrian90s
Here it is...

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:55 pm
Author: Adrian90s
And this one..

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:47 pm
Author: Adrian90s
Pictures attached...any help anyone?
Thanks

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:01 am
Author: CAT3
Unless anybody knows any different I would suggest this is a USA market unit, if the Kawasaki sticker is to be believed as original. It certainly has the STANLEY name in the glass, which both USA & UK market headlights had.
USA market headlights did not have a side/pilot light fitted.

Your headlight unit also looks to have had the filament fitted into the reflector, then the glass was crimped into place making filament replacement impossible.

What you really need is a UK type headlight unit, which has replaceable side & headlight filaments. They are removed from the rear of the reflector.
There will be suitable aftermarket replacemnt parts available, (Cibe used to do such a unit for example) it just depends how concerned you are about originality.
Obviously you would also have to add the wiring for the side/pilot light, which depending upon how bothered you are, might also mean changing the handlebar switch, (I'm guessing USA market handlebar switches didn't have the side light position ?).

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:12 am
Author: CAT3
These are pictures of an OEM UK market 1976 Z900-A4 headlight unit for reference, (don't know what model your bike is).
DSCN3617.JPG
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Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:19 am
Author: CAT3
For a bit more info when searching for suitable replacements, a 1979 Z550 had the same headlight unit fitted so I'm guessing there will be a number of other Kawasaki models using the same part.

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:48 am
Author: CAT3
Oops, sorry, bit of a mix up with my pictures, (not that there is really any difference).
These are the 1976 Z900-A4 headlight pictures. The first series I posted are the 1979 Z550 headlight. There is a coating of waxoil on the back of this headlight if anybody is wondering.
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Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 12:09 pm
Author: Adrian90s
Phoned Z power also, they say a mini/ Land rover have a similar 7" sealed unit for a fraction of the price (found one for £15) it has the pilot light also.
Mine looks to be original USA where the bike came from.
Z1 June 73
Thanks guys

Re: Z1 headlight

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 12:58 pm
Author: wilsonsjw11
The US spec sealed beam type still come up on a regular basis on EBay.
Regards
Steve