KZ750 coils

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

KZ750 coils

12 Apr 2015 14:27

Hi guys, just wanted to double-check which coils I'll need to replace the stock ones on my 1980 KZ750 LTD (H1). Z1 Enterprises has the green 3.0 ohm ones ( www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...9+DC1-1&item=DYDC1-1 ) and grey 2.2 ohm ones ( www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...9+DC4-1&item=DYDC4-1 ). I think it's the former but they both claim to replace the factory coils. I believe I measured the existing ones at 2.8 ohms a while ago but when I went to verify today, my multimeter got possessed and was all over the place. :S

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

missionkz
Offline
Sustaining Member
Registered
Posts: 1622
Thanks: 184

Re: KZ750 coils

12 Apr 2015 15:05

#667681

with respect to one coil, short the two high tension spark plug leads together and test the ohmage of the primary again. Sometimes all that inductance and wire pushes an AC noise into the Digital VOM.

Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado

The following user(s) said Thank You: Shimmy

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

12 Apr 2015 15:20

#667684

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I tried it to no avail - in this case, I think the multimeter's on the way out given that touching its two leads together is measuring all kinds of crazy resistance instead of zero, and the display was fading in and out. :blink:

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

martin_csr
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 8018
Thanks: 1645

Re: KZ750 coils

12 Apr 2015 16:34

#667692

I think the grey 2.2 ohm coils are supposed to be the best match with the stock electronic ignition, but you can go with the green 3.0 ohm coils. I chose the green ones in case I ever have to switch to the Dyna S ignition system.

1981 KZ650 Competition Sports and Road

The following user(s) said Thank You: Shimmy

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

13 Apr 2015 12:54

#667803

Thanks, that makes sense. I'm doubting I'll need to upgrade the ignition.

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

MFolks
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 6650
Thanks: 541

Re: KZ750 coils

14 Apr 2015 11:31

#667917

Digital multimeters, are very sensitive to magnetic fields, so if you can beg or borrow one of the older Analog (moving needle) meters, I think you'll have better luck seeing what your old coils ohm reading are.

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

The following user(s) said Thank You: Shimmy

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

19 Apr 2015 15:54

#668751

I did end up picking up an analog one, and it confirmed my existing coils were nearer to 2 ohms, so looks like I'm picking up the grey ones!

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

02 May 2015 12:17

#670397

One more question - does anyone know how the spark plug wire terminals on the Dyna coils match up with the stock ones? Like is the one closest to where the primary wires attach on the Dyna coil equivalent to the top or bottom spark plug wire terminal on the stock coil? Hopefully that makes sense - thanks, guys!

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

undiablo
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 436
Thanks: 64

Re: KZ750 coils

02 May 2015 13:23

#670404

I have grey 2.2 ohms ones... no problems with stock ignition.
been running them for 3 years.

Kawasaki KZ 750/4 LTD 1981
Kawasaki KLR 650 2011
Argentina - Buenos Aires

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

02 May 2015 18:49

#670450

Did some more looking around and it seems like they can be attached either way because of the "wasted spark", which I didn't know about before. I'll give it a try tomorrow and update if that turned out not to be the case.

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

martin_csr
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 8018
Thanks: 1645

Re: KZ750 coils

03 May 2015 06:10

#670481

The Dyna coils have no polarity, so you don't have to worry about that.

1-2-3-4 . left-to-right sitting on the bike.

Right side coil --- 1-4 spark plug wires --- black & red igniter leads

Left side coil --- 2-3 spark plug wires --- green & red igniter leads

1981 KZ650 Competition Sports and Road

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Shimmy
Topic Author
Offline
User
Registered
Posts: 121
Thanks: 15

Re: KZ750 coils

03 May 2015 17:36

#670538

Yeah, I kept track of the connections to each coil, just wasn't sure about which ones went where. The coils' instructions pointed out the primary wires had no polarity, which just left the spark plug wires, and as it turns out, those are interchangeable too. Amazing the difference the new coils make - more power, and it starts up like a brand new bike, no struggling at all.

1980 KZ750 LTD
Edmonton, Alberta

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.