TOPIC:

Discovered the hard way the bike isn't charging. Almost left me stranded when it wouldn't start when I stopped for gas. I let it sit for 30 minutes and managed to get it started. As I was almost home it started breaking down at higher rpms as the battery ran out out of what little juice it has. Headlight was dim, signal lights would not flash.

Tested the battery and it was down to 11.2 volts. Put it on the charger overnight, started it, put the multimeter on the battery terminals and it was not charging at all.

Tried a known good battery from my other bike and still not charging so it wasn't the battery. Pulled the stator leads from the regulator and checked for shorts and none found. Checked output and got 50V across 2 leads and 85V on one? Seems high. Not sure how to check the regulator because the previous owner cut the plugs off and I can't get a probe inside while its running to check voltage. Here is a helpful picture of what replaced the plugs.

I do have a spare regulator from my 81 I can swap it with. Are the common to years 79, 80, 81? The electrical on the frame is 79, the motor is 80 and the spare regulator is 81. If I can swap that in I'll find out soon enough if that is the issue.

Thanks in advance.

I like to check "Partzilla.com" when reserching parts for the bike.
According to Partzilla, there were 2 voltage regulators available for the KZ1300. Part number 21066-1015 for bikes with engine numbers 009427 and above and part number 21066-1007 for bikes with engine numbers below 009426. Both regulators were used in model years 79,80 and 81. Not sure how this helps you or not.
KB

Probably another week 'til I get my new stator and MOSFET V/R. But essentially our issues are identical. I was getting 50/70/70 VAC at 1500 RPM. 70/95/95 at 4500RPM. I knew the V/R was toast and wasn't willing to put a new one in with a questionable Stator. So I chose to replace both. Battery - No problem. I'll click a few pictures when I do the Re & Re.

Thanks fellas. I'll have to check which engine number I have I guess first. Wonder what the difference in the two models are?

Scotch: Does that 85 VAC mean my stator is questionable? I have two spares... one from a 79 and another from 81. Should I swap that in? Will those readings fry the VR?

Hmmmm.. just had a thought. In addition to the 81 VR I also have the stator still in the 81 motor. Now to figure if that is also compatible with 80 motor because if it is then the VR should work fine with that stator?

Kawboy wrote: I like to check "Partzilla.com" when reserching parts for the bike.
According to Partzilla, there were 2 voltage regulators available for the KZ1300. Part number 21066-1015 for bikes with engine numbers 009427 and above and part number 21066-1007 for bikes with engine numbers below 009426. Both regulators were used in model years 79,80 and 81. Not sure how this helps you or not.
KB

So the 79 engine number is 007072. 80 is 006878. 81 is 013207 so I guess this is a no go. Of course it is. FML.

Don't understand why the 80 has a higher engine number than the 79. Perhaps it was built first but didn't go in until later, or maybe the people I bought it from were mistaken.