TOPIC:

Today I decided to check points gap in my 650.
Per manual it should be 0.3-0.4mm

Ok, cover off. Ripped gasket, all bolts in poor shape, see pics. Felt does not touch shaft, no lube. Manual calls for points lube, what is it??

Checked gap and it’s very small, about 0.12mm on both according to my feeler gauges.

Left side 1-4 wouldn’t adjust, at the end of adjustment holes. Does it mean that plastic wore out too much?

3-4 better. Was able to adjust it - see pic. Little too wide, maybe 0.4

Seems like some new parts needed. Is converting to pointless good idea at this point?

What parts and brand do you suggest?

I would just put some new points and condensers in there, adjust the points and ride the snot out of it.

TexasKZ wrote: I would just put some new points and condensers in there, adjust the points and ride the snot out of it.

Exactly! ..... and use a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screwdriver NOT phillips! Someone used a phillips driver on those screws and that's why they are damaged. I would replace them with new Kawasaki screws and use the correct screwdriver from now on. Ed

I already have JIS screwdrivers, good here.

Tell me why I should stick with points? Just priced out points, condenser and screws - it's the same price as Dynatek, about $120.
Is points better? What is the reason to stay with OEM?

Unless I go with non original points condensers. But I don't know anything about this and try to stick with OE
Is DAIICHI good?

Go electronic ignition and you will never face this problem again.

Fit a Dyna 'S'.
Stronger spark, easier starting, more power.
Fit and forget.

Go Dyna, fit and forget, points now are of dubious quality and origin.

Ebay has lots of OE points for good prices if you want to save some money.

Nessism wrote: Ebay has lots of OE points for good prices if you want to save some money.

Checked eBay for OE. Yes, found better deals. But still points plus condenser plus hardware will be in $60 range.

If it’s not about $$ what is the reason for staying with points vs Dyna?

For some folks, $60 vs. $120 is a big deal.

If you install oem quality points and condensers, and set them up properly. you will likely not need to even check them more than once a year. Adjustments less often, and the adjustments will be easier if you have not been neglecting the bike. Most people in the U.S. ride relatively few miles per year, so maintenance chores come up infrequently.

On the other hand, the Dyna S will give many years of good spark with nearly no maintenance.

In terms of hours per year and money over the life of the machine, there is not a lot of difference.

For points lube, most any light weight grease will do.

I've owned my 1977 KZ650-C1 since it was new - more that 43 years; I have put more than 62,000 miles on the bike. I have always used genuine Kawasaki points and condensers. I generally reset the points about every 5,000 miles and replace them about every 10,000 miles. Although I gave it serious consideration, I have no intention of ever replacing the original points system with an electronic system. Below are some considerations.

POINTS ADVANTAGES: While points tend to eventually pit and that slightly degrades performance they do not fail hard as they are extremely reliable. They cost less than electronic ignition.

POINTS DISADVANTAGES: Even though they do not fail hard, they do need to be replaced periodically as they eventually will pit. Replacing them is very easy, but one does need to at least have an inexpensive timing light and a feeler gauge.

ELECTRONIC IGNITION ADVANTAGES: Once properly set up it does not need to be periodically replaced.

ELECTRONIC IGNITION DISADVANTAGES: It can fail hard and leave you stranded.

Ed

When I bought my KZ-1000 I was sure that I wanted to stay with the OEM ignition points setup. I bought only factory parts for the system and set it up properly. Ran into the same problem as you did with running out of point adjustment, but fiddled with it until I got some adjustment on both sides in reserve and the bike ran well. I was raised on point ignitions including dual point ignitions so I felt pretty confident in working with standard ignition systems. The bike ran well and I had no issues or complaints. I put about 2,000 miles on the bike this past summer, but I knew I was still running the original coils and began to wonder about their reliability. So if I was going to replace the coils did it make sense to stay with the standard point ignition, or install a Dyna S system? I finally opted to give into modern technology and install the Dyna system with the appropriate Dyna coils. I wish Dyna had done a little better design work on their coils for installation so they were more like the OEM coils, but in the end it was an easy install. Amazingly when I statically timed the system it was dead on when I dynamically timed it. So at this point I am a believer in the Dyna system. I can't speak to longevity on the Dyna system, but it is reassuring that all is new and working well. My only regret is not doing this install at the beginning of my journey of fixing up this bike. OEM ignition parts are not cheap and sourcing anything but OEM parts is risky business. If I had to do it over the Dyna system would be one of the first things on my install list.

Rick H.