attempting some electrical upgrades on my KZ650

Well, you may already know that I am really bad with electrics. It really is my weakpoint when it comes to fixing my bike, so I appreciate the help. The bike in question is my 1979 KZ650B (all stock).

Ive decided to first upgrade the ignition system. For various reasons, Ive chosen to go with an OEM ignition system from a later model kawasaki, rather than a Dyna. Been searching ebay for the past few weeks with almost no luck. Been looking for the pickups from a later model KZ650, KZ550, or KZ750 four, but cant find'em. I did however find the pickup plate from an 82 GPZ1100. Does anyone know if this would work?

Also, Im assuming I also need to buy the original CDI to match the pickups I buy, as well as the pointer. Thinking about going with Dyna coils though. Does it sounds like I'm on the right track?

GPZ1100 pickups:

I have an ignition plate for my 82 kz 750e since I just replaced it with Dyna-S. I'm not 100% sure that it is running correctly, but it's yours for the cost of shipping if you want it. You will also need an IC Igniter with the stock pick up coils.

~Clutch

EDIT: The IC Igniters are expensive. I have one of those also, but I am fairly certain mine is not fully functional. The cost for this part was one of the main reasons I went with the Dyna-S

I think you will also need a different mechanical advancer, or at the very least, a new rotor for it to work with the pick up coils.

The I.C. Igniter used with oem Kawasaki electronic ignition is a separate component located under the seat or under a side cover.



Good Fortune!

Well, if I understand Mr. Patton's post correctly, you just need the new rotor for the Kawasaki ignition. In that case, I have a spare one or two of those as well. If you do decide to go with the Kawasaki ignition, PM me, and we can discuss getting you some of those parts you need.

~Clutch

"Pick-up coil" or "pick-up module" is the term often used to describe each of the "pick-ups" mounted onto the backing plate attached under the points cover.

many thanks! much appreciated!

Ignition coil Primary resistance will be different from points to Kawasaki Electronic. 2.2-3 Ohm with the electronic, your point coils are probably 5 ohm.

Im assuming that I should buy coils to match the system that came on whatever kawasaki ignition system i buy. But I thought my stock coils now are 3 ohm, and arent most coils for stock electronic ignitions around 1.5 ohms?

cobura wrote: Im assuming that I should buy coils to match the system that came on whatever kawasaki ignition system i buy. But I thought my stock coils now are 3 ohm, and arent most coils for stock electronic ignitions around 1.5 ohms?

3 ohm coils are what you want to run the Dyna-S ignition. The stock coils from my kz750 were 2.2 ohm

For example, the FSM says resistance of the ignition coil's primary winding is 1.2~1.9 ohms on the 1979 KZ1000-A3, which introduced the transistorized system with IC Igniter on the large Kaw fours.

Good Fortune!