kz200 regulator

i just got a 1978 kz200 everything runs fine on it but the battery dies after running it. im pretty sure its the regulator. the bat is new. but i was wondering if i had to buy the expensive kz200 rectifier or if i can make another type fit and run.or where to find a cheaper one.

I'll have to verify some info from one of my buddies who has a 200. But if I recall, that bike uses a permanent magnet alternator. That means you should be able to use one of the many reg/rec combo units on ebay. You should even be able to use a three-phase one even if your bike is single-phase. But I'll have to verify the type of alternator you have in his manual. I should see him at work today.

that would be awesome man. i believe its a 3 phase but this is my first bike and im used to cars so im learning

Well, my buddy sold his KZ200 a few days ago. He already regrets it, especially since he practically gave it away for $1000. They've been going for up to $1200 on ebay lately.

Anyway, he gave away the 1978 KZ200 manual, but he gave me a 1976 factory manual on CDROM.

According to the 76 manual it is a single-phase, permanent magnet alternator, without a dedicated sense line on the reg/rec combo unit. This means the reg/rec is very similar, (if not identical) to the 1978 and 1979 KZ650 reg/recs. The 1980 KZ550 reg/recs should also work, but they may have an extra brown wire on them. That extra brown wire should get connected to a 12v source like the wire feeding the coils.

You should also be able to use many other reg/recs from KZ's. You could even try a 3-phase one, if it's cheap. You would leave one phase un-connected on the reg/rec. This does mean the two active legs will use a little more current than they normally would, but since the KZ200 probably doesn't have a very powerful alternator to begin with, it'd probably work.

If you spot a KZ reg/rec on ebay and want to know if it'll work, post a link. If you don't want a used one, there are several manufacturers of aftermarket replacement reg/recs. www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com just started selling that type of reg/rec recently. His price is pretty good. Before you buy from there, post a link to make sure it's the right one. He's got some model designations innacurate.

On any of your options, you may have to splice wires since the connector may be different.

i just ordered a new one from a local bike shop because he said if i try to use anything else i would end up frying lights and everything else electrical. so i went with the safer way. it was 100 bucks so not as bad as other places i have soo that go up to 250 bucks. im sapprized that these bikes are going up sor sale for that muck. the engines are so small and there really is not much to them and its old... but i still love it.