where to start

i just got my first bike a 79 kz650
i belive it coil issues so what do you guys think about the different coils out there, accel, dyna, andrews
and where would i get good quality coil mabye a website or two to find parts for my bike
im pretty clueless
thanks for any help

Here's a link...
www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=KZ650-C3-1979-IG0

What kind of symptoms are you haing with your bike?

well i got the bike knowing it didnt run or even crank. found out the starter switch was bad (common?)
so i just ran the 2 wires together ( im gonna run a push botton start if i cant find the factory switch cheap) then it would crank when i pulled the clutch lever in. no spark then pulled cover off and found a new points set up but the points were set a like .030 insted of .012-.016 so i fixed that and still no spark,i really dont know alot about it but i had a friend there that did i guess there are a few other thing i need to check but the stock coils were at 4.5 ohms is this normal? we checks some andrews coils that we had there and thay were 3 but i figured sence these were high perfromance this was normal
again thanks for any help

well when i went to that web site it asked me if it was a c3 or b3 what is this and how can i tell
i think my bike is a plain kz650
thanks

There's actually 3 different models of 650 for that year according to My Kawasaki Cross-Referrence program.
The "B-3" and the "C-3" models both use the same coil,btw.
The "D-2" model must use a different coil,because it wasn't listed when I entered the coil number for the other 2 models.

Post edited by: Sandy, at: 2007/01/02 15:34

The stock coils should ohm out at about 3ohms. Yours being at 4.5 are giving you a very weak spark. Mine checked out at 3.9 but I replaced them with some ebay Andrews coils with Accel wires that ohmed at 3.1. What a differance they made! I'm not saying that your coils are keeping the bike from starting(you've checked for spark, fuel, etc?) but there not helping much at all!

Your coils are well within acceptable primary resistance range... all you are doing when you measure the impedence is verify that the primary windings are not shorting. Measure the power going to your coils FIRST. If you have problems with the starter, the flow of voltage is the same for the starter and coils to where it hits the right hand switch gear. The power for the starter goes through the starter button and loops out of the same line after your kill switch to the yellow/red wire where it comes down through the main switch gear connector to a dual-out connector over your valve cover. Start by seeing if you have power at your coils. You should have about the same power reading as you do at your battery with the bike not running... about 12.3 VDC. There are two small lug connections on each coil. One has either a black or green wire (1/4 coil and 2/3 coil respectively). This is the wire from the points. The other wire will be yellow/red on most bikes; perhaps pink or red on yours. In any case, use a multimeter to check voltage here with the key switched on. If you find NO voltage, then you need to tracing back through the dual connector to the switchgear connector to the connection actually in the switchgear, looking for voltage till you find where the break in continuity is. To check voltage with a multimeter, put the meter in VDC scale and put the POS / red lead on the hot connection on the coil and the NEG / black lead on a frame or engine ground. If you find there is voltage but under 12 VDC, then see the coil repowering article on my web site. If voltage is what it should be, the problem is either with a bad connection(s), the points/timing or the coils or ignition wires. Have you remove a plug and held it next to the cylinder head while turning the engine over to check for spark?

You should be able to identify your model of KZ by looking at the VIN label behind the headlight on the neck of the frame.

If it says it was manufactured in 78, then it was probably sold as a 79.

In the VIN # after KZ650, it should tell whether it's a B, C or D.

Oh yeah,

these 3 pages are a great help on identifying a KZ650, although I think they have they frame #'s and engine #'s reversed.


jarle.eltelevest.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650.htm

WG Excellent step by step troubleshooting instructions.As usual.

well one person says 4.5 is ok and the other says thay will produce weak spark
with that being said are the coils bad/weak at 4.5
amazed with all the help so far im really glad i found this website

Post edited by: pete poling, at: 2007/01/03 12:49

also what coil do i need to get cause on the website it says dont use a set of coils with less resistance than you bike ign system so do i get the green 3ohms or regulare 3ohms
and does anyone know where to get the taylor plug wires
that you dont have to cut or make, the ones that are just put on and go
thanks again

Post edited by: pete poling, at: 2007/01/03 12:50