Reg/ rectifier from kz750 for kz550?

My kz 550s regulator rectifier is toast. I think. My buddy has a kz750 parts bike and the part numbers for each regulator rectifier are

SH530-12 2.6(kz550)
SH230-12 0.5 (kz750)

Are they interchangeable ?

Could be, same amount of wires? Pics?
Steve

The same regulator rectifier part # 21066-1008 was used on the following bikes

KZ1000-A1 KZ1000 (1977)
KZ1000-A2 KZ1000 (1978)
KZ1000-A2A KZ1000 (1978)
KZ1000-A3 KZ1000 (1979)
KZ1000-A3A KZ1000 (1979)
KZ1000-A4 KZ1000 (1980)
KZ1000-B1 KZ1000 LTD (1977)
KZ1000-B2 KZ1000 LTD (1978)
KZ1000-B3 KZ1000 LTD (1979)
KZ1000-B4 LTD (1980)
KZ1000-C1 Police 1000 (1978)
KZ1000-C1A Police 1000 (1978)
KZ1000-C2 Police 1000 (1979)
KZ1000-C3 Police 1000 (1980)
KZ1000-C4 Police 1000 (1981)
KZ1000-D1 Z1R (1978)
KZ1000-D3 Z1R (1980)
KZ1000-E1 Shaft (1979)
KZ1000-E2 Shaft (1980)
KZ1000-G1 Classic (1980)
KZ550-A1 (1980)
KZ550-A2 (1981)
KZ550-A3 (1982)
KZ550-A4 (1983)
KZ550-C1 LTD (1980)
KZ550-C2 LTD (1981)
KZ550-C3 LTD (1982)
KZ550-C4 LTD (1983)
KZ550-D1 GPz (1981)
KZ650-H1 CSR (1981)
KZ650-H2 CSR (1982)
KZ650-H3 CSR (1983)
KZ750-E1 (1980)
KZ750-E2 (1981)
KZ750-E3 (1982)
KZ750-H1 LTD (1980)
KZ750-H2 LTD (1981)
KZ750-H3 LTD (1982)
KZ750-H4 LTD (1983)

To check go to Powersports Warehouse www.powersportswarehouse.com/p/Kawasaki
Find the part #
Copy and paste the PN into the search bar
Click on Where Used


Im guessing those SH numbers were stamped on the units

What year & model is your bike? and what 750 is it? some of the early 550s had a single phase charging system.
If it's a 3-phase, you can use the voltage regulator from a Ninja 500 or Vulcan 500 et al to about 2009 (credit to loudhvx).
I installed one from a low mileage 2007 EX500. the connector was reversed, so I had to install new terminal pins & connector. the old connector crumbled. ...... CycleTerminal.com. or Z1Enterprises.com.

The part number on the unit is the oem supplier's part number. We don't jave a source for details on those numbers, although, I suppose we could start to compile a list.

But as JR's list shows, there are many Kz's using the same reg/rec unit. The Kawasaki part number will be the same even if the oem supplier's part number is different.

If it has the same wires and wire colors, then they are most likely interchangeable. You can use it, but I would only consider that a temporary solution. I wouldn't trust that for long trips.

As Martin mentioned, there are much newer (used) options that are dirt cheap. I wouldn't rely on a 35 y.o. reg/rec to replace a 35 y.o. reg/rec. They can fail gradually over the course of an hour as they heat up, and that can get you stranded.

There is a guy on the GS Resources (user name duanage) that used to pick up old "Honda R/R's" off ebay and swap over the connectors to be compatible with Suzuki's harness, and then resell them. Shindengen made most of the R/R's installed by the big 4 back in the day and Honda used the type with the brown sense wire (as did Kawasaki on many bikes). SH232's I think. At any rate, this guy recycled several hundred of these units and says he's never seen a bad one. He tests each unit before shipping it out. My point is that even though the R/R is old that doesn't mean it's going to be bad.

For anyone with a 3 phase charging system and looking to upgrade, the best units going these days are the Shindengen SH775's. You can get used one from a Polaris Ranger for about $45 shipped. These are "series" type and help protect your stator from shunted current overheat. At a price point like that it doesn't make sense to buy a shunting R/R in my opinion.

My bike is a 1983 kz550 ltd c3 or c4.

His is the 1980 kz750 ltd h1 I believe

I'll post some pics of the rec reg. The connectors are different.

The only notable differences between the two rec regs that I can see is that mine has just one wire bundle coming from it and my buddy's from the kz750 has the main bundle and a singular white/red wire that seems like it would match up with the rogue wire that I've got. Also mine has a female connector to Mach up with the female connector coming from the alternator, while this other one has another male connector so I'd have to switch them out if I wanted to use them anyhow.

Also not sure right off the bat if I have a tree phase charging system

Why would they be different ? Really not sure what to do here.

If they each have 3 yellow alternator wires, a black ground wire, brown sensor wire & a red/white power wire, then the 750 will work. Having the wires routed in or outside the connector differently is no biggie. just make sure the wires line up right when you connect them. yellow to yellow, black to black, etc etc. The 550 has male terminal pins while the 750 are female. you'd have to cut off the 750 terminal pins & crimp on male pins. or redo the terminal pins at the wire harness connector. either or. I redid the pins on the Ninja r/r.

2009 EX500 voltage regulator. low mileage bike. just an example.

Awesome, Thanks. Yeah I'm not counting on it to last forever. I would probably buy that ninja one but it's sold. I'll keep searching

There are quite a few to choose from. EX250. EX500. Ninja 250 or 500. EN500. Vulcan 500. et al.
If a seller doesn't list the year, you can get an idea of how old it is by the numbers on it. The one I linked has T 8.9 --- an older one will have a smaller number, such as T 8.2 or T 2.4.

09 KAWASAKI EX 500 NINJA VOLTAGE REGULATOR RECTIFIER W/MOUNT BRACKET OEM EX500
$35 is about the most I'd pay for a used r/r.

I just ordered that last reg rec you posted. Looks to be what I need. hope it works!

Thanks again your help is appreciated.

If you have to change out the terminal pins, you should get open barrel terminals & use a ratcheting open barrel crimper --- the crimps are very strong. On some stuff I guess you can get away with mash crimps using a generic crimper, but I wouldn't risk it on the charging or ignition systems.