Battery for 1976 KZ400?

Hey everyone, I am new to the forum. I just picked up a 1976 KZ400 project bike earlier this week.

The bike runs but only through kick and jump starts. The guy I bought it off stated that the ignition didn't work because the battery he installed was too small (??? Is that even possible?).

The electrical works fine and so I don't think its the battery. But then the guy stated that when the battery was brand new it would electrically start a couple times before it stopped electically starting. This leads me to believe it is the rectifier, or dynamo, or something else (any thoughts on that?).

In any case, I have been trying to find information on the original size and type of battery in a 1976 KZ400. I have been through numerous websites like kz400.com but there is never a stated "size" in any manual or specification. Does the size or type even matter? It seems you can find replacement batteries on tons of OEM sites but I wanted to confirm the "too small" statement by seeing what size should be in the bike.

Any thoughts?

Which model 1976 KZ400 do you have (D3 or S2)? Kawasaki.com says different models take different batteries. If you're not sure about the model take a look at the front brake. The D3 came equipped with a disk brake up front, the S2 came with a drum. Ed

It is the D3 version.

Ever consider a dry cell battery?

Motorcycle Batteries
www.yuasabatteries.com/
www.pegasusautoracing.com/group.asp?GroupID=BALLISTICEVO2
www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/12cell.html
www.spencercycle.com/category-s/232.htm
www.shoraipower.com/default.aspx
www.motydesign.com/8cell_prod.php
alienmotion.com/
www.turntechbattery.com/TurnTech%20Battery/Welcome.html

According to Kawasaki.com the '76 KZ400-D3 was originally equipped with a YUASA 12N12A-4A-1 battery.

They are still available:

www.bikebandit.com/yuasa-standard-battery-12n12a-4a-1

I appreciate all the responses. I will compare what he put in the bike versus what was stock and see if they are the same.

Does his description of "too small a battery" make sense? Or should I start looking into other components too?

"Too small a battery" may be referring to the amp/hour rating. The YUASA 12N12A-4A-1 is rated at 12Ah; it's possible the previous owner put in a battery rated lower. Ed

esion wrote: Hey everyone, I am new to the forum. I just picked up a 1976 KZ400 project bike earlier this week.

The bike runs but only through kick and jump starts. The guy I bought it off stated that the ignition didn't work because the battery he installed was too small (??? Is that even possible?).

The electrical works fine and so I don't think its the battery. But then the guy stated that when the battery was brand new it would electrically start a couple times before it stopped electically starting. This leads me to believe it is the rectifier, or dynamo, or something else (any thoughts on that?).

In any case, I have been trying to find information on the original size and type of battery in a 1976 KZ400. I have been through numerous websites like kz400.com but there is never a stated "size" in any manual or specification. Does the size or type even matter? It seems you can find replacement batteries on tons of OEM sites but I wanted to confirm the "too small" statement by seeing what size should be in the bike.

Any thoughts?

The places that sell batteries will have a look up table with a "size code" for your bike. Never go with lower A-hr rating, larger rating is always better.

Thanks everyone for the help. I went down to our local store, got a new battery, installed it, and it fired right up first try with the electric starter.

Not sure why the guy had it for 5 years and didnt go get the right battery for $50 instead of push starting it everyday.

Thanks again!

Some people do it "Their Way" regardless if it's wrong. Maybe he would be embarrased to be shown his decision was in error.....

MFolks wrote: Some people do it "Their Way" regardless if it's wrong. Maybe he would be embarrased to be shown his decision was in error.....

Bingo! If he admitted he had made a mistake he would have been admitting that he had now learned something new. Can't have that! :laugh: Ed