Electronic Ignition for KZ400

After a longtime search for an electronic ignition for my 400 I've met with success. I've wanted to replace the points for years but wasn't able to find anything worthwhile really. Charlie's Place, a shop that specializes in Honda's only (or so they say!), manufactures ignitions so I called them to possible get a lead. Apparently they do make an ignition for the KZ but don't market it, would go against their image I guess! I installed it two weeks ago and so far so good. We'll see how it goes from here. Has anyone else had experience with their ignitions on a KZ?

Thanks for the info. There was a guy on the old KZ400 forum who was marketing an ignition system but I can't remember his name. I always wanted to replace the points on mine but never pulled the trigger,

Can you post some pics? What all is included in their kit? And how much does it cost, if you don't mind.

I converted my KZ400 with the electronic ignition from the later 440s and it was a pretty simple swap. However, that setup depends on some old electronics and while I have spares for everything I just keep my fingers crossed. Something new might be worth the investment or at least knowing it is an option if I'm ever faced with needing a replacement.

Thanks for the info.

Diggerdanh, I know you were on the old forum. Do you remember who was building the KZ400 electronic ignition kits? Was it Jim in NC?

I believe it was KZJim, 7th Gear Designs - www.7thgeardesigns.com/products/ignition_kits.html , it looks like he is in California.

diggerdanh wrote: I believe it was KZJim, 7th Gear Designs - www.7thgeardesigns.com/products/ignition_kits.html , it looks like he is in California.

He is great. Its a Power Arch ignition system. Comes with control unit, coils and 8mm high end wires. Its not cheap but its not the old technology either. It is optical as well as fires 3 times instead of just once so you get complete combustion. A couple of cool features is that it does not power the coil(s) until it detects crank movement. It also has the capability to change up to 3 ignition curves on the fly(most guys won't use this feature). I bought one for my KZ1000 from him. He is a great guy to talk to. I know he has put them on KZ400s. If you have Facebook you can check out all the stuff he is working on including KZ400 manifold. I have talked to him a couple of times over the phone and ended up BSing about bikes for the better part of an hour.

www.facebook.com/7thGearDesignsInc/

I thought kawi put a pretty good electronic ignition on either the 400 or 440 twin for some years? I remember because on the old twins forum, people always would buy them off ebay and put them onto their 750 twins. It's a transistor breaker type system but Kawi's was a lot more reliable than some of the aftermarket that blow up a lot.

kaw-a-holic - thanks for the info!

bountyhunter - that's what I'm using on my 76 KZ400 - the electronic ignition from a later KZ440 (81 - 83 if I remember correctly) and you are correct that they can be used for the 750 twins too. The parts are pretty cheap on ebay if you watch for a while and it is an easy swap onto an earlier KZ400/440/750.

I have 1978 KZ200 and searching for an electronic ignition system. Can you provide telephone number and contact at Charlie's Place? I would like to see if they have one that will work on my bike. Thanks in advance!

Smomoto--I've been out of town working so I've not check this forum until now. Their phone is 818.550.0600 and their email is email is charliesplaceorders@gmail.com. I'll snap some pics when I get home in a few weeks but it looks pretty much like the ones on their website. By way of update I have to say that I'm pretty pleased so far with the performance. I saw there was another thread started on this subject so I'll try and make my way over there as well.

My buddy is getting an ignition from Charlie's place after having some bad experiences with another company... Interested to see how it turns out.

If anyone is interested a kit PM me.