Where to get advancer springs

Kawasaki.com only lists the whole advancer mechanism as one unit.

Anyone know where to get just the springs?

They must be exact for a gpz550 so the motor won't knock. I've been tightening up the ones I have, but that only puts more preload on them. This delays the advance so all-advance is in by the correct RPM. However, this makes the motor sluggish off the line then when the advane kicks in, it all happens at once. Not very smooth.

Nobody?:huh:

Lou...just a shot,but have you tried the dealership?

Not yet. I'll go over there, but I won't have my hopes up. If I can buy a new advancer, I might take it apart and see if a spring manufacturer can make some up.

Tell ya what...just for giggles,I'll try the Kawi dealership on my end here.I'll call them later today.
Who knows...I MIGHT get someone older than 20,on the phone.:S

Here's a list of 550's that use that same part number(21148-1016).
The complete advancer unit...

Sorry bud.Just got off the phone with Kawi here,and nothing.("NLA")
I'll try one more kawi dealership near Vancouver...

Not open til 9am,and I have to get to work.
I'll try later on though.

Well I had to wait anyway,for a store toopen,so i called Burnaby kawasaki...same reply.
I have another guy I can check with,but in the meantime Lou,check this guy out...

He might even have a new one.If you scroll down on this page,you'll see another advancer listed for double of what the one in the auction is going for...


ADVANCER

Wow, thanks a lot Sandy for all the leg work!

Yeah, I was afraid they weren't going to be available anymore. Strange though, because the 400 version of the 550 was still being made in Japan into the 1990's. I may be able to get a new one from over there. But the springs may be different on that model (I would just have to try it and map out the advance curve).

I have a few used ones already, but wanted a new one to compare the advance curve. My local Kaw dealer has some old stuff around (buried in the back and covered with dust, but brand new), I'll check him today or tomorrow.

Thanks again bud!

Loudhvx, There are three kinds of springs. I can't remember the technical name but some springs pull inwards, some pull outwards and some can do both. The spring on your advancer is a pull inwards type. If you stretch it, it will not return but stay stretched. Most old school hardware stores with trays of small hardware have a spring tray. I have found replacement springs for mechanical advance units. I have pulled off the rotor and tried to free rusted arms and have stretched the springs in cleaning exercises in the past. You are right about the tension needing to be the same... The advance arms won't work at the correct rpm otherwise.

loudhvx wrote:

Wow, thanks a lot Sandy for all the leg work!

No problem,Lou.
It's the least I could do,for all that YOU'VE done to help out around here.

Did you check out that link,and if so...anything?

The one I see on the link is used with a little rust. I usually see those for about $10. His ebay store is temporarily down so I can't see what else he has. Thanks, though. It looks good, but I already have several used ones, all with the same problem. I really want to map out the exact curve on a new unit in case I ever get around to making an electronic advancer using the stock pickups.