1977 KZ650 B1 wiring short. Please help.

Hello everyone, I am brand new to the site/forum, but I recently purchased a 77 KZ650 and after about a month of riding it smoke started coming up from under the seat. The wires from the battery terminal (both the ground and hot cables) were melted and I am currently in the process of finding the source. Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, would you be able to point me in the right direction? I really do appreciate any help in this matter.

I had a similar thing happen when my rectifier died. Probably best to re-do your burnt wiring and replace your regulator and rectifier.

Also ensure the connections on both ends of those wires are tight. Ed

Wow! Thank you so much for the quick replies. I did some quick looking around and the only place that I could find that sold them was ebay (used) and they were pretty pricey. Do you know of other online resources to purchase a rectifier and/or regulator? Thank you again.

Also, sorry for my ignorance, but how do you test whether or not a regulator/rectifier are "good" or not?

www.z1enterprises.com
www.electrosport.com
www.regulatorrectifier.com
www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com
www.accel-motorcycle.com/
www.tpe-usa.com/ (Tim Parrott Enterprises)

The test procedures are described in the Kawasaki service manual. If you don't have one you should seriously consider buying one (eBay). They are worth their weight in gold (even at today's gold prices) and will save you $$$$$, time, and heartburn. I have never heard of anyone that regretted buying one. Ed

Manuals
www.repairmanual.com
www.manualsnmore.com
www.midwestmanuals.com/
www.books4cars.com/
www.repairmanualclub.com/motomanuals/
moto-manuals.com/
www.e-classicbike.com/