TOPIC:

That's interesting. The SW+8 position is really only about 5 degrees more advanced than a Zx550 . Zx550's max out at about 40 deg BTDC.
So the SW 0 would have been retarded compared to a Zx550.

I’m very tempted to try +8 (45 degress total advance). Wonder if i should use higher octane gas. Still running 87.

Averaged 45 mpg today. The highest I'd gotten since swapping in zx550 cams is 40mpg ... so something is more efficient now. So pleased with this new system!!!

Yes for higher octane. if your going to push the ignition timing. You might not get pinging now but it might be a different story in hot weather
A knock sensor would be nice

loudhvx wrote: That's interesting. The SW+8 position is really only about 5 degrees more advanced than a Zx550.

I think the biggest difference starts around the 3000 rpm point, theres 6-7 degrees more than the ZX550 and is more like the KZ550s 35 degrees @ 3200rpm mechanical advance then reaches full advance round 8000rpm instead of 10,000rpm on the ZX550's

loudhvx wrote: So the SW 0 would have been retarded compared to a Zx550.

Total advance might be less but its very similar @ 3000rpm, it might even have more advance up from there up to around 8000rpm than ZX550 ,
Im pretty sure i read the ZR's had 35 degrees total, itwould be nice to see the factory ZR550 ignition curve for comparison.

But on a 550, 3000 rpm is nowhere near the power band really.

You would lose time looking for power at 3000 rpm. That would be downshift time or rev and clutch slip time. 3000 and light throttle would be fuel economy cruise mode, and that would be a slow cruise at that.

The kz advance down low is too much
, which is why the mechanical advance is a compromise. Lugging the motor that low while trying to get power would do bad things... Lots of knock. Which is why they went to electronic advance.

For power you would only be concerned with about 6000 rpm and up, maybe 5000.

I think the factory limits total advance in later years due to emissions.

loudhvx wrote: But on a 550, 3000 rpm is nowhere near the power band really.

You would lose time looking for power at 3000 rpm. That would be downshift time or rev and clutch slip time. 3000 and light throttle would be fuel economy cruise mode, and that would be a slow cruise at that.

The kz advance down low is too much
, which is why the mechanical advance is a compromise. Lugging the motor that low while trying to get power would do bad things... Lots of knock. Which is why they went to electronic advance.

For power you would only be concerned with about 6000 rpm and up, maybe 5000.

I think the factory limits total advance in later years due to emissions.

Exactly!! As the Kawasaki KZ550 performance chart below shows at 3000 rpm (red circle) the engine makes about 17 hp while at 6000 rpm (green circle) it makes about 40 hp. Also, using stock gearing, in top gear 3000 rpm would only propel the bike a bit less than 40 mph. Ed

Yeah i know there is very little power down that low i was looking a the graphs using 3000rpm as a starting point just for comparison purposes, thats all
The SPII has options for more advance at those rpm points. SW4 has 40 degrees advance @ 4500rpm , that's 5000rpm earlier than the ZX550 igniter,
zaddicts 43 degree total setting probably has 40 degrees @ 6000rpm and by his comments hes feeling it

i have read that some factory ignitors are suppose to have 35 and 40 degrees of advance @ 3500

The factory Kz550 advancer spec has 35 deg by 3000 at the earliest, but it's not really ideal. It's part of the tradeoff using a mechanical advance. If a company was making that same advance curve intentionally, I think it would require CV carbs and would be for fuel economy purposes. On the Kz, with mechanical carbs, calling for power at 3000 RPM, in top gear, would definitely induce knock.

Wozza wrote: It would be nice to see the factory ZR550 ignition curve for comparison.

I'm curious too. I've never seen one. It's not in the FSM.

Wozza wrote:

Do we know why there are two curves here?

Wozza wrote: zaddicts 43 degree total setting probably has 40 degrees @ 6000rpm and by his comments he's feeling it

I sure am. Much more power and responsiveness off the line all the way past redline. Here's the review I just left for the SPII on Webike:

---

I can't tell you how pleased I am with this ignition. I bought it for my zr550 based on the glowing reviews on Webike. Phrases like "torque is overflowing", "it is like a turbo", and "it was like riding a liter bike for the first time [for a zr400]" caught my attention. I experienced every one of those sensations after installing the SPII. Even without adjusting the ignition curves, my bike felt much stronger. After cranking the advance up to the max, the bike transformed into the hyper-responsive little torque monster screamer I've lusted after since I first started modifying it.

I'm not sure how the SPII would affect a bike that is completely stock. I've got zx550 cams, a Factory Pro Stage I jet kit, Kerker race exhaust and K&N filter. For me at least, the results have been phenomenal - much more noticeable power gain than any of the previous mods. I can't recommend this product highly enough. It's the best money I've spent on my bike. I'm going to get the bike professionally tuned now, largely to make sure I don't have the advance set high enough to cause damage.

---

I think Mark is sponsored by Webike. LOL!!! Looks like money well spent for you.