1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
- BlackZ1R
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1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
06 Aug 2020 22:16 - 06 Aug 2020 22:18
I know this has been covered a few times, but I'm getting old and forget this stuff if I leave it alone for a while. What is the best way to upgrade the charging system on a '78 Z1-R? I get decent output but the blinkers don't work well when the headlight is on. Turn the headlight off and they work like they should. Is the SHINDENGEN SH-775 something that would boost the current going to the battery? Thanks for any help for my old friend.
Kawasaki
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
Last edit: 06 Aug 2020 22:18 by BlackZ1R.
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- TexasKZ
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 05:59 - 07 Aug 2020 06:43
Have you taken the time to carefully clean all the connections and switches?
Have you tested alternator output?
Tested the battery?
The regulator?
I think it would be better to identify and fix the problem than to randomly replace parts that may be just fine.
Have you tested alternator output?
Tested the battery?
The regulator?
I think it would be better to identify and fix the problem than to randomly replace parts that may be just fine.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
Last edit: 07 Aug 2020 06:43 by TexasKZ.
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- 650ed
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 06:05 - 07 Aug 2020 06:06
Before you make any changes to the bike's charging system.......
Years ago I had the exact same problem with my 1977 KZ650-C1. I read a posting that recommended changing the flasher unit (a little round can under the side cover) to a Tridon/Stant 552 2 prong unit. The new unit was exactly the same size and fit perfectly in the rubber mounting ring. That was more than 15 years ago and it totally corrected the problem. Even when my battery's charge is low the flashers work fine with correct timing. I think the cost was about $4.00. For sure it made me a happy camper! Ed
Years ago I had the exact same problem with my 1977 KZ650-C1. I read a posting that recommended changing the flasher unit (a little round can under the side cover) to a Tridon/Stant 552 2 prong unit. The new unit was exactly the same size and fit perfectly in the rubber mounting ring. That was more than 15 years ago and it totally corrected the problem. Even when my battery's charge is low the flashers work fine with correct timing. I think the cost was about $4.00. For sure it made me a happy camper! Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 07 Aug 2020 06:06 by 650ed.
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- BlackZ1R
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 08:08Hi Ed, long time bud, hope all is well with you. Yessir, I remember changing the flasher on my '78 KZ1000 with an electronic flasher that made all the difference in the world.650ed wrote: Before you make any changes to the bike's charging system.......
Years ago I had the exact same problem with my 1977 KZ650-C1. I read a posting that recommended changing the flasher unit (a little round can under the side cover) to a Tridon/Stant 552 2 prong unit. The new unit was exactly the same size and fit perfectly in the rubber mounting ring. That was more than 15 years ago and it totally corrected the problem. Even when my battery's charge is low the flashers work fine with correct timing. I think the cost was about $4.00. For sure it made me a happy camper! Ed
TexasKZ: Yessir.
I've replaced the regulators on my KLRs with the SH-775 and have had much stronger charging from those limited systems. If I did this this to my Z1-R, I sure won't be hacking the original system up so as not to put it back to original. :whistle:
My question is for those that have done the SH-775 regulator swap and can give a detailed answer as to how it worked for them on a properly maintained electrical system.
Kawasaki
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
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- SWest
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 09:38
I was using a KZ 1000 R/R and it worked fine for a while but then it wasn't working as well. After all the testing I got two used SH775's and the power went up. I bought the extra to have on hand. The permanent magnet systems are weak to begin with and with age they lose their charging ability. Went with a H4 LED headlight and have all the power I need. In the past I ran a 50/100w headlight and burned up rectifiers and regulators. The charging systems just aren't built to handle the power draw.
Steve
Steve
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kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
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kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
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- cb900f
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 10:41 - 07 Aug 2020 10:42SWest wrote: I was using a KZ 1000 R/R and it worked fine for a while but then it wasn't working as well. After all the testing I got two used SH775's and the power went up. I bought the extra to have on hand. The permanent magnet systems are weak to begin with and with age they lose their charging ability. Went with a H4 LED headlight and have all the power I need. In the past I ran a 50/100w headlight and burned up rectifiers and regulators. The charging systems just aren't built to handle the power draw.
The output of the OEM permanent magnet alternators is fixed (RPMs aside). If the load is increased over the available alternator output, the battery goes dead. If the load is decreased from the available output, the excess current is shunted through the R/R - causing more heat in the R/R which can shorten it's life.
Last edit: 07 Aug 2020 10:42 by cb900f.
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- BlackZ1R
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 11:40Thanks for the reply, this is more of what I was looking to hear from real world experience.SWest wrote: I was using a KZ 1000 R/R and it worked fine for a while but then it wasn't working as well. After all the testing I got two used SH775's and the power went up. I bought the extra to have on hand. The permanent magnet systems are weak to begin with and with age they lose their charging ability. Went with a H4 LED headlight and have all the power I need. In the past I ran a 50/100w headlight and burned up rectifiers and regulators. The charging systems just aren't built to handle the power draw.
Steve
The system is working as it should, just like the one on my '78 KZ1000 is. But they are limited with the outdated R/R in this system, I'm sure the 775 has to be beneficial. I don't like the way the stock set up seems to lose so much power over time even with clean connections. Headlight goes dim when the signals flash, or when the brake light is on. Did the 775 help with those issues? I think I am going to go for it, and give it a shot.
cb900f: yessir, that is correct.
Kawasaki
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
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- hardrockminer
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
07 Aug 2020 12:43
When I read cb900f's post I understand him to be saying that the alternator puts out a fixed amount of power. The regulator doesn't add any power...it just feeds the battery what it's given. And when there isn't enough being fed from the alternator then your battery will discharge. And when the alternator provides more power than the bike is consuming the excess gets shunted into the regulator and converted to heat. I've seen his posts before. He has a solid understanding of bike electrics.
If I re-state what he said, your regulator isn't the problem causing your flashers to go dim. Your alternator may be a problem, but as Ed says you might have a problem requiring a much cheaper solution. It is, however your bike and your decision as to how you wish to go about fixing your problem.
If I re-state what he said, your regulator isn't the problem causing your flashers to go dim. Your alternator may be a problem, but as Ed says you might have a problem requiring a much cheaper solution. It is, however your bike and your decision as to how you wish to go about fixing your problem.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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- Nessism
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
08 Aug 2020 05:55 - 08 Aug 2020 05:57
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI'm a huge proponent of the SH775 and recommend it highly. It doesn't boost power, but it does manage what power is available better.
It's a SERIES type R/R and differs from the common SHUNT type in that it shuts off current return to your stator and saves it from over heat damage. Basically, the generator produces power which the bike consumes, but there is residual power available which must be managed. With a shunt R/R this extra power is returned to the stator where it's converted to heat. With a series R/R the return power is cut off which protects the stator better.
Be very careful purchasing a SH775 because there are lots of fakes on the market. Only buy one where you can witness SH775 printed on the top fin.
It's a SERIES type R/R and differs from the common SHUNT type in that it shuts off current return to your stator and saves it from over heat damage. Basically, the generator produces power which the bike consumes, but there is residual power available which must be managed. With a shunt R/R this extra power is returned to the stator where it's converted to heat. With a series R/R the return power is cut off which protects the stator better.
Be very careful purchasing a SH775 because there are lots of fakes on the market. Only buy one where you can witness SH775 printed on the top fin.
Ed
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Last edit: 08 Aug 2020 05:57 by Nessism.
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- BlackZ1R
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Re: 1978 Z1-R charging system upgrade
08 Aug 2020 06:17
I agree. I only buy the SH775, never bought the copies.
Kawasaki
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
Someone once told me to marry that motorcycle I was riding ......there's times I wish I hadda listened .
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