1976 KZ900 ignition coils

True story.....bought 3, repeat 3 kz's for $250.. P/O was a true kz vet. From his advice I started working on the 76 Z1 first. Got wiring somewhat figured but I'm trying to fire this baby before I get too far in. missing coils and I'm a cheap ass so need to know which bikes have compatible coils so I do my ebay scavenger hunt. Need alot more parts but coils are the first thing on the list. P/o says it was a good running bike just age and work caught up with him.

Any coils on the other two bikes?

Good Fortune!

I'd think any motorcycle ignition coil rated at at least 3 ohms would work, some Kawasaki's had/have 4 ohm coils, but I believe they had ignition points. Accel and Dyna sell the popular 3 ohm coils.

Nope to Patton....this p/o worked on his bikes and his garage was packed!! Kz's eere in a packed shed out back. He told me to chk in with him every so often cause he knows there are parts in the garage......can't wait that could be yrs before he gets in that cleaning mood. I need a cheap alternative to new dyna or accel. Got my eye on ebay just need to know what yr and model kz coils will spark the old gal to life. Local salvage yards hit at $35 per coil!! Too rich for a poor sap like me

Will 1980 kz750 four cylinder coils work?? Bird dogging a CHEAP ebay listing...$10 for Ross to chk em so that I know is added cost to the coil bidding

As long as they check out with a multimeter.

Primary(small wires) side of the coils will read between 1.8 to 3.0 ohms.

Secondary(sparkplug wire ports)side of the coil will read between 10.4K to 15.6K ohms. These ports are wired together.

The sparkplug caps should read 5K OHMS(5000), any higher, or a reading of infinity means new caps should be ordered. The heat and vibration can cause the resistor to fail, requiring cap replacement. When re-installing the old or new sparkplug caps, cut about ¼” off the sparkplug wires for a new un-corroded connection.

Never run supression sparkplug wires with sparkplug caps containing the 5000 ohm resistor, as now there will be two (2) resistances in the ignition coil’s secondary circuit, causing weak and intermittent spark.


To stress the ignition coils, take a hair dryer, heat the coils and see if the ohm readings change from cold to hot . If they do, it’s time to buy new coils.

Even when new, the ignition coils were marginal, add years of cooking under the gas tank, and they will probably fail when hot.....

Thanks for the info Folks........ I bid on the set and if I win should I pay to have them bench test or by chking with multimeter be just as good??{ + FREE }

I am no longer a believer in any used coil.

I had luck frm the local bone yrds twice....but they alwsys bench tested them

I have your coils. PM sent.

Ok ebay is a hassle....are 1980 kz650 coils compatible? I kno i've read somewhere on here that the 650's fire differently....the other coils I was bidding on getting over my budget

Nope, all the four's use two ignition coils, firing 4 cylinders. The 650's are wired backwards to the bigger 4's, but they all use the same type of ignition coils. Some have molded in sparkplug wires, while others have removeable sparkplug wires.