new to me 1976 KZ 900, wires go where?

You need this factory service manual. See part number on back page. It’s a strange manual. It’s titled Kz900 but it’s actually a Z1 900 manual with a Kz900 supplement in the rear of the book. You will need to do valve lash. And all other maintenance items.

Screen shots taken off evilbay listing item number 363656966904

 

@Mikaw
yes I have been following with that same manual. Electrics troubleshooting is my downfall!!

You need 1 ground cable to the frame and 1 ground cable to the engine case from battery negative post.


To check for corrosion.
Key on ignition on
Meter on DC v
Put one probe on one end of the ground wire.
Then put the other probe on the other end.
Voltage should be less than 0.5v.
If it is higher, then you may have corrosion.

There must be current going through the cable hence the key on ignition on.

 

@F64, Mikaw.
So I ordered new coils since the left coil showed ghost voltage and also when I took it off it has loose fittings into the coil. I think they are original coils, wires were pretty shabby as well. I bought new 4 ohm coils from 4into1 located in San Francisco. Replaced the left coil so far. I haven't cut the spark plug wires to length just yet. Tested the coils and they show 4.1 ohms on the terminals and 14.8 on the plug side. With 1 plug pulled and connected to the new wire I turned the bike over to check for spark but get nothing. Does the other plug need connected? I thought I could test 1 plug at a time. I checked at the points and I am getting power, my test lights flashes when I turn over the engine and the points rotate. Per previous instructions in this post I wanted to provide current voltages.
Bike run on
Key on
Battery voltage is 12.2v
Black to battery negative, red to left coil yellow/red 10.03V, black wire side 10.48v, do those voltages appear correct? The plug terminal is screwed on correctly it appears. where should I check next?

Thanks again.

Coil primary voltage is low. For authenticity you are checking the yellow wire with the red stripe that has the double female bullet connector correct? You are testing that with the black probe on the negative battery and the red probe on said female bullet correct? Yes both spark plugs need to be grounded for the coil to work correctly the 1-4 will fire (spark) at the same time and the 2-3 coil again well fire at the same time. Ground both plugs to the head or you can put a piece of solid copper wire into the open end of the spark plug wires, and fixture them so they are about a quarter of an inch apart and you can test spark that way. Maybe F64 can help you trace out the resistance in the coil primary wire. If you find it’s in an item that you don’t want to mess with i.e. ignition, you can do the “ wired George coil power modification” 


www.wgcarbs.com/index.php/using-joomla/e...-categories/89-coils

@ Mikaw, Thanks Mikaw, I will hook up the other plug. I was testing at the coil. Once I hook up all the plugs I will check at the female bullet if issues, thanks again!

I hope the plug side tested 14.8 Thousand ohms!  If not then you have a problem.

@hardrockminer, yes 14.8 on the plug side. Thanks

@Mikaw, checking voltage at the red/yellow now at the female connector not the coil terminals and get 8.6 volts.  I also tried turning the bike over and now get nothing. Both plug wires are now connected. urgh!!

First double check that the new coils are wired correct. Back wire from point goes to coil (-) for 2-3. Green from points goes to coil (-) for 1-4. Coil positive (+) need to connect to the yellow/red. Make sure that the connections at the coils are not grounding to the frame mounts. If all connections are correct back probe the double female bullet with the red probe. Black probe on the battery. Disconnect one coil wire from the yellow/red female at a time. Check voltage. Plug the coil wire back in and disconnect the other and check voltage. 

@Mikaw
I am attaching a picture of the new coil. Thing is I don't see the + or - associated to either wire. those wires are pre-made with connectors already attached and can only attach to the existing wires one way. Thanks.

Ok yellow then will go to the yellow/red. Black to black for cylinder 1-4. Other coil yellow to yellow/red. Black to green for cylinder 2-3. What did you notice or do that dropped voltage from your 10.3 to 8.6