spark 1977 kz 1000

Hi all,
we just put an electronic ignition and dyna coils on a 1977 kz 1000.
When i have the plug pulled still connected to the plug wire i have spark jump to cylinder head an inch away. When i ground it to the cylinder head I lose the spark!! I went back over the wiring and everything seems to be hooked up and wired correctly?

Has anyone had this problem or know whats going on? I had to walk away from it cause im baffled!

Thanks,
Big John

Is the plug good? Roy

yes sir i tried the same plug on my harley.

Wouldn't hurt to again double-check wiring.

Plug wires from left side ign coil under tank attached to outside plugs.

Plug wires from right side ign coil under tank attached to inside plugs.

Black (or whatever color) wire from left (rear) Dyna module attached to left side ign coil under tank.

Green (or whatever color) wire from right (forward) Dyna module attached to right side ign coil under tank.

Good Luck!

Try starting the bike at night (or if you have a dark garage, turning off the lights). You can see where the power is bleeding off (or if it even is) in the dark. I had a KZ1000A with a set of dynas and an electronic ignition...and the bike was missing...after I turned off the lights, noticed that the power was bleeding all over the motor from the area on the coils where the plug wires enter.

Mcdroid wrote:

Try starting the bike at night (or if you have a dark garage, turning off the lights). You can see where the power is bleeding off (or if it even is) in the dark. I had a KZ1000A with a set of dynas and an electronic ignition...and the bike was missing...after I turned off the lights, noticed that the power was bleeding all over the motor from the area on the coils where the plug wires enter.

Yes.
And sometimes also helps to spray water mist over the coils and plug wires to augment the errant sparks.

[This time a sponge won't work.] :laugh: :laugh:

Good Luck!

Good morn'n Mcdroid i'm rainmankz1000 and i noticed you answered a question my buddy asked. You said that the power was bleeding all over the motor where the coils were. I dont mean to sound ignorant but what does the mean and how can it be corrected??

rainmankz1000 wrote:

Good morn'n Mcdroid i'm rainmankz1000 and i noticed you answered a question my buddy asked. You said that the power was bleeding all over the motor where the coils were. I dont mean to sound ignorant but what does the mean and how can it be corrected??

It was a short from the coils to the motor block...instead of the power generated by the coils being confined to the plug wires, it was bleeding past the connectors on the coils and shorting to the head. Pulled the coils, removed the plug wires, trimmed any errant copper wires, re-attached to the coils and then liberally coated the area (where the wires attached to the coils) with liquid electrical tape (Dorman brand).

Thankyou all for the information, really appreciated it. Im embarrassed to say it was the plugs bad from running so rich i guess. I see why you guys love these bikes. It has single airfilters and a 4 into 1 exhaust so now we need to work on the jetting a bit. Someone suppossedly jetted it already but we arent sure. Can anyone tell me what position the clip on the jet should be at? Rainman and I both will be making profiles and see if we can contribute to the site also.

Thanks again,
Big John

chopperjohn69 wrote:

Thankyou all for the information, really appreciated it. Im embarrassed to say it was the plugs bad from running so rich i guess. I see why you guys love these bikes.

Don't be embarrassed, its easy to overlook things sometimes, especially on these 30 year old bikes.
Im sure after riding that 1000 you will have been bitten by the KZ bug too. Good Luck and welcome to KZR fellas

The ignition coils that came with the bike tend to break down over time and where they're mounted really isn't the best for cooling.

I'd suggest getting a set of Dyna green (3 ohm) or grey(2.5 I believe)coils if your still running the stock coils.

The stock kawasaki ignition coils had 1/4" wide electrical male terminals, the Dyna coils have 10-32 female terminals that will need screws about 5/16"-3/8" long.

chopperjohn69 wrote:

Someone suppossedly jetted it already but we arent sure. Can anyone tell me what position the clip on the jet should be at?

The Jet Needle clip can be in any position your like :laugh: for starters, I would try the middle position.

Your stock Main Jets are: either 102.5, 105, or 107.5
Stock Pilot Jets are: either 15 or 17.5

Good luck!