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KZ400 ignition coil

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15 Jan 2022 04:10 #860534 by Feanor_twh
KZ400 ignition coil was created by Feanor_twh
The bike jerks when I've been going for about half an hour, it starts to run out of steam until it finally stops. Then I let it "cool" for a while (like another half hour) and it works again.

I'm almost sure it's a thing of the ignition coil, and actually even if it isn't, I've read so much about the bad of the old coils and the good of the new ones that I already want to change it yes or yes.

I have read about Dynatek coils, good reviews. But I don't know which one I should put on it considering that I use a Tytronic electronic ignition (the cheap copy of the one from Charlie's Place) and apparently electronic ignitions need "faster" coils (less resistance) than point ignitions.

Can someone guide me?

(1976) Kawasaki KZ400-D3. All original, but: electronic reg/rec (Oregon Motorcycle Parts), new handlebar controls (w/ PASS/HORN/lights switch, LED dash lights (superbrightleds.com), Dynatek coil (3ohm), MAC mufflers, HEL brake hoses, rubber fork boots, 4.00 rear tyre (Dunlop K70), chromed chainguard

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  • hardrockminer
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15 Jan 2022 04:33 #860535 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic KZ400 ignition coil
Go to the Dynatek website and use their selection system to input your bike year, make and model.  It will select the correct coil.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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15 Jan 2022 04:38 #860537 by Feanor_twh
Replied by Feanor_twh on topic KZ400 ignition coil
and that was the first thing I did, but my bike simply does not appear.
I know someone on this forum put a Dyna coil on a KZ400 (so one of the models they have for other bikes must work for mine) but I think it's no longer active so I can't ask them.

(1976) Kawasaki KZ400-D3. All original, but: electronic reg/rec (Oregon Motorcycle Parts), new handlebar controls (w/ PASS/HORN/lights switch, LED dash lights (superbrightleds.com), Dynatek coil (3ohm), MAC mufflers, HEL brake hoses, rubber fork boots, 4.00 rear tyre (Dunlop K70), chromed chainguard

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15 Jan 2022 06:07 #860540 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic KZ400 ignition coil
Since the op is running an aftermarket ignition, he needs a coil with the proper resistance for that system, not the factory system.
Does the paperwork that came with the system, or the company website state what resistance is needed?

Also, your problem may be elsewhere. Does the bike have a fuel filter that could be partially clogged up causing fuel starvation?
Is the fuel tank vent clogged?
Is the fuel line really old or really cheap? It could be delaminating inside, causing fuel starvation.
Have you recently done some work on the bike that might have kinked the fuel line?

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

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15 Jan 2022 08:29 #860549 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic KZ400 ignition coil
I looked at the parts diagrams for a KZ400 ignition.  OEM used points and a single coil.  If your coil is original you can determine which one to buy by measuring the resistance on the primary side of the coil.  The primary side would be the two wires on the coil.  Secondary would be plug wire to plug wire, but you want to know the resistance on the primary side.  I'm guessing it will be between 3 and 4 ohms.  In that case, you want to buy a coil with 3 to 4 ohms primary resistance.  The Dynatek coil is green in colour, with two outlets for plugs.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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15 Jan 2022 11:33 #860552 by Feanor_twh
Replied by Feanor_twh on topic KZ400 ignition coil

Since the op is running an aftermarket ignition, he needs a coil with the proper resistance for that system, not the factory system.
Does the paperwork that came with the system, or the company website state what resistance is needed?

Also, your problem may be elsewhere. Does the bike have a fuel filter that could be partially clogged up causing fuel starvation?
Is the fuel tank vent clogged?
Is the fuel line really old or really cheap? It could be delaminating inside, causing fuel starvation.
Have you recently done some work on the bike that might have kinked the fuel line?
New fuel filter and petcock, upgraded epoxy coated fuel tank, new fuel lines, clean carburetors, etc. But someone said it's better to rule out electrical problems first before anything else and I try to work that way.
The ignition system is a copy of Charlie's Place. Some basic assembly instructions and nothing else at all. I could write Charlie to ask him what coils he uses with his ignition, too (I didn't think so)

(1976) Kawasaki KZ400-D3. All original, but: electronic reg/rec (Oregon Motorcycle Parts), new handlebar controls (w/ PASS/HORN/lights switch, LED dash lights (superbrightleds.com), Dynatek coil (3ohm), MAC mufflers, HEL brake hoses, rubber fork boots, 4.00 rear tyre (Dunlop K70), chromed chainguard

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15 Jan 2022 11:36 #860553 by Feanor_twh
Replied by Feanor_twh on topic KZ400 ignition coil

I looked at the parts diagrams for a KZ400 ignition.  OEM used points and a single coil.  If your coil is original you can determine which one to buy by measuring the resistance on the primary side of the coil.  The primary side would be the two wires on the coil.  Secondary would be plug wire to plug wire, but you want to know the resistance on the primary side.  I'm guessing it will be between 3 and 4 ohms.  In that case, you want to buy a coil with 3 to 4 ohms primary resistance.  The Dynatek coil is green in colour, with two outlets for plugs.
I think the original coil is 4 ohms, but I read somewhere that lower resistance coils (maybe 3 ohms) are better for electronic ignition. I wanted someone who knows it for sure to confirm it for me.

Do you have the link (or model number) for that green Dynatek coil? To take a look.

Thanks for your time.

(1976) Kawasaki KZ400-D3. All original, but: electronic reg/rec (Oregon Motorcycle Parts), new handlebar controls (w/ PASS/HORN/lights switch, LED dash lights (superbrightleds.com), Dynatek coil (3ohm), MAC mufflers, HEL brake hoses, rubber fork boots, 4.00 rear tyre (Dunlop K70), chromed chainguard

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15 Jan 2022 12:09 #860554 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic KZ400 ignition coil
Did the aftermarket ignition say it works with stock coils? 

Like Tex said look to the fuel system. More times than not at least here guys that have symptoms like you find out it fuel starvation. 

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
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  • hardrockminer
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15 Jan 2022 12:34 #860555 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic KZ400 ignition coil
I run the green coils on my Z1 and KZ1000 with electronic ignition.  (Dyna). They are listed on the Dynatec website as 3 ohm coils.  My original Z1 coils were 3.8 ohms.  The KZ1000 had 1.9 ohm coils with a ballast resistor.  When I went to the green coils on the KZ1000 I eliminated the resistor.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Feanor_twh

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15 Jan 2022 14:40 #860561 by ckahleer
Replied by ckahleer on topic KZ400 ignition coil
I had a Yamaha 400 Maxim that would do the same thing, Ran great for 30 minutes then would loose power. I could keep it running and limp home at 30mph.
It turned out to be a bad igniter box. I would suspect the Tytronic electronic ignition is breaking down. 
I

94 KE100
81 CM200t
82 KZ305
85 VF1100c

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  • hardrockminer
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15 Jan 2022 15:28 #860567 by hardrockminer
Replied by hardrockminer on topic KZ400 ignition coil
I had that problem on my KZ1000 too.  Two cylinders would drop out intermittently.  The coils were fine so I assumed it was either in the exciter or the electronic pickup.  

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Feanor_twh

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15 Jan 2022 16:14 #860571 by spdygon
Replied by spdygon on topic KZ400 ignition coil
Make sure the tank breather is not clog..that’s what it sound like.
 

1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project

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