Compatibility: 81 to 78 Electronic Ign Fitment?

I am thinking of buying a used electronic ignition from an 81 KZ650 and wondered if it would fit my 78 KZ650 B.

It looks as though it will but since it is from an online seller, I cannot tell by the pictures. I can still buy a DYNA but I have heard that the stock Kawasaki ignitions are better (e.g. dwell time, etc).

If any of you have already done this modification, please just give the go ahead and I will pull the wallet out. I am TIRED of points!

Sorry to intrude on your post.
But, I have a payiong customer coming by Saturday. He has a Dyna ignition for a 1980 KZ1000.
He wants to use the factory ignition coils.
I know he should buy dyna 3.0 ohm coils.
But the factory had electronic ign.
I am assuming his stock coils should work with the dyna??
I'll find out tommorow.
Any opinions?

Marty

It should work. I have a 1981 KZ550 with electronic ignition and it swapped over to a 1977 KZ650, but timing is not adjustable and was not correct for the 650 so I had to slot the plate. Probably the 81 650 would not have this problem, but if it did, no big deal. Of course you need to wire in the ignitor black box into the factory wiring, which was no problem if you have the wiring diagrams.

kz6fittycent wrote: ...am TIRED of points!

Dyna green 3 ohm coils are recommended for Dyna-S electronic ignition.

The existing points system probably has stock 3~4 ohm ignition coils, which coils should work okay with Dyna-S electronic ignition, but have too much resistance for Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition (which I believe requires 2.2 ohm coils).

If replacing the existing points system with Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition, would also consider replacing the existing ignition coils.

The Dyna-S ignition is relatively easy to install as a direct replacement for the points, and without having to add an IC igniter and associated wiring.

Good Fortune!

From what I understand, you should be good to go. Dyna's ignition is designed to be a direct upgrade for our bikes.

Patton wrote:

kz6fittycent wrote: ...am TIRED of points!

Dyna green 3 ohm coils are recommended for Dyna-S electronic ignition.

The existing points system probably has stock 3~4 ohm ignition coils, which coils should work okay with Dyna-S electronic ignition, but have too much resistance for Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition (which I believe requires 2.2 ohm coils).

If replacing the existing points system with Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition, would also consider replacing the existing ignition coils.

The Dyna-S ignition is relatively easy to install as a direct replacement for the points, and without having to add an IC igniter and associated wiring.

Good Fortune!

Thanks Patton. I think I will go ahead and purchase the igniter. As far as the coils are concerned, I was planning on replacing all of that later.

That brings up another question, do you think I would have immediate issues with the ignition system or am I going to be okay for a while? Higher resistance should not cause damage to the igniter, it may just change dwell time within the coil...right?

z1kzonly wrote: Sorry to intrude on your post.
But, I have a payiong customer coming by Saturday. He has a Dyna ignition for a 1980 KZ1000.
He wants to use the factory ignition coils.
I know he should buy dyna 3.0 ohm coils.
But the factory had electronic ign.
I am assuming his stock coils should work with the dyna??
I'll find out tommorow.
Any opinions?

Marty

From what I understand, you should be good to go. Dyna's ignition is designed to be a direct upgrade for our bikes.

RonKZ650 wrote: It should work. I have a 1981 KZ550 with electronic ignition and it swapped over to a 1977 KZ650, but timing is not adjustable and was not correct for the 650 so I had to slot the plate. Probably the 81 650 would not have this problem, but if it did, no big deal. Of course you need to wire in the ignitor black box into the factory wiring, which was no problem if you have the wiring diagrams.

Thanks RonKZ650. I will go ahead and make that purchase. I am sure that I can get the appropriate wiring diagram online! Patton mentioned resistance differences between coils/year models. Did you have any issues?

Thanks again!

Patton wrote:

kz6fittycent wrote: ...am TIRED of points!

Dyna green 3 ohm coils are recommended for Dyna-S electronic ignition.

The existing points system probably has stock 3~4 ohm ignition coils, which coils should work okay with Dyna-S electronic ignition, but have too much resistance for Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition (which I believe requires 2.2 ohm coils).

If replacing the existing points system with Kawsaki IC igniter style electronic ignition, would also consider replacing the existing ignition coils.

The Dyna-S ignition is relatively easy to install as a direct replacement for the points, and without having to add an IC igniter and associated wiring.

Good Fortune!

You know, the thing that gets me is why Kawasaki or any of the Japanese manufacturers would have even considered points when older models (e.g. H1 and H2) already had CDI. I don't mind points so much, it's just another thing to adjust and I just want to ride my bike.

Can I get an "AMEN"?

Hey guys, just found some valuable information in (ahem) another forum.

See: forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=2915.0

kz6fittycent wrote: ...will go ahead and purchase the igniter. As far as the coils are concerned, I was planning on replacing all of that later. That brings up another question, do you think I would have immediate issues with the ignition system or am I going to be okay for a while? Higher resistance should not cause damage to the igniter, it may just change dwell time within the coil...right?

Imo, while not optimal, the higher resistance coils won't harm any parts, but may result in slightly weaker spark.

Good Fortune!

z1kzonly wrote: ... He has a Dyna ignition for a 1980 KZ1000.
He wants to use the factory ignition coils.
I know he should buy dyna 3.0 ohm coils.
But the factory had electronic ign.
I am assuming his stock coils should work with the dyna??
Marty

The factory electronic ignition coils are rated lower than 3 ohms. Some are much lower.
Dyna specifies 3 ohms is the lowest you should go with the Dyna S or Dyna III ignitions.

The Dyna 2000 ignition is a different story. I think it can take low-resistance coils.

The Dyna S and Dyna III are direct replacement ignitions for points, not necessarily the factory electronic ignitions.