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Boyer bransden ignition system

2438 Views 25 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Feanor_twh
Boyer bransden ignition system new in box Fits Z400 to Z1000 fours and Z400 Z440 twins. Wiring info on boyer site.Comes with new twin coil and new regulator rectifier unit.
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You may not get an answer from Budgie796 since he posted this 3 years ago.
I really need a Boyer Bransden for my '76 KZ400, but I can't find the exact model I need.
Did you contact Boyer directly to see what they have? What about Dyna, have you checked with them?
I finally talked to them (Boyer Bransden) and they offered to modify the Kit87 to work on my twin. Very happy. The package has yet to arrive, I'll post the result for future reference.
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I finally received the Modified Kit for my KZ400, but it comes with a CDI for the Yamaha XS650/Triumph/BSA twins.

I have found that the power curve of my KZ is not the same as the Yam650, so I thought maybe the electronic spark advance would not be optimal. But from what I see the curve of the Triumph and the BSA is not the same either, and they share CDI.

Boyer Bransden's answer is that "it will work reasonably well in the KZ". My conclusion is that maybe the power curve is not that important when programming the CDI, but I don't know if I'm right.

Maybe someone can provide some more information.

Soon I will install it on the bike and I will comment on the results.
The power curve is very important. There are kits for your bike that will do the job, and were meant for your bike. This site has tons of info on your bike : kz400.com

The Boyer Brandsen kit in the link below is specific to your bike, I think that's the best route to go. You run out of much options for older Japanese motorcycles.:

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The power curve is very important. There are kits for your bike that will do the job, and were meant for your bike. This site has tons of info on your bike : kz400.com

The Boyer Brandsen kit in the link below is specific to your bike, I think that's the best route to go. You run out of much options for older Japanese motorcycles.:

That was the kit I wanted. Unfortunately it is not valid for twins (only four)
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That's really odd because it shows your bike specifically listed. How odd? I hate when companies do that. I'll keep looking, and see if I find one. I saw others, but they were so expensive, I'd stay with points at that price. ;)
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The Boyer Bransden Kit87 fits the KZ400 "J" (a very rare four cylinder version), and for the KZ650 and KZ1000 I think.

But I still don't understand why other kits fits bikes with different power curves, like the Box00010 (Triumph/BSA/Yamaha XS650 twins)

Thanks.
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I don't either. A 440 Kawasaki version of your bike wouldn't work? :)
I don't either. A 440 Kawasaki version of your bike wouldn't work? :)
It would probably do. But KZ400 parts are 40 years old, hard to get.

At the moment I have the Box00010 (Yam650/Tri/BSA twins) which I have to try at least. As soon as I'm finish another bike I'll get on it and tell you about.

Thanks mate.
Link to points conversion for your bike, (should work, your bike is listed): 1974-1978 KZ400 D ELECTRONIC IGNITION POINTS PLATE ADVANCER TYTRONIC | eBay
Here's a CDI listed for your bike: OEM Kawasaki KZ400 400 CDI Ignition Igniter | eBay

It seems that this would work, you would have to look up the schematics to see how you would wire it. :)
Link to points conversion for your bike, (should work, your bike is listed): 1974-1978 KZ400 D ELECTRONIC IGNITION POINTS PLATE ADVANCER TYTRONIC | eBay
Here's a CDI listed for your bike: OEM Kawasaki KZ400 400 CDI Ignition Igniter | eBay

It seems that this would work, you would have to look up the schematics to see how you would wire it. :)
In the first case it is a transistorized ignition that only replaces points and condenser (it does not have CDI functions). I used one for a while, it worked fine but doesn't add much (maybe better spark, better starting and better idling). If anyone wants it, I still have it available.

In the second, that's a voltage regulator. Some time ago I replaced it with an electronic one, much more effective.
I'd stick with the points. Most of the time the biggest problem with points is people don't use Cam lube, and the Condensor is shot. :)
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With the points the bike doesn't go smooth, especially at low RPM, and I think the mechanical ignition advance doesn't offer the performance of a CDI.

When you have an old engine with limited power, you want it to run as well as possible within its possibilities hehe
If it doesn't go smooth, then the points plate is probably binding. My CB400F had points and went like a bat out of hell all the way up to 10,000 rpm's and around 115 mph stock. Afterwards, with the Yoshima kit, it redlined at 14,500 rpm's, and went like a bat out of hell all the way up to 136 mph (clocked), and it still hand points. I eventually switched to a Dynatek, because I could get one reaally cheap, but points work fantastically well if set up right. My M.G. Midget has a dual point Mallory Distributor, and the very modified motor it one of the fastest MG Midgets ever made, that was still roadable. Old has nothing to do with it. A well tuned engine just needs everything set up properly. Points plates, I have seen people with them binding, or way to loose, and was shocked the bike still ran. One thing, in the event of a Nuclear attack, the EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) won't affect your points ignition system. Survivalists take note. :)
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The CD400F is a very cool bike, too bad there is no Yoshima kit for me haha

I understand what you are saying about the points and I think you are right, although I still think that they are not as precise as an electronic breaker, and that the mechanical advance does not offer the benefits of a CDI. But maybe this doesn't make as big a difference as I thought.
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I don't really think so. The conversion kits were for people who really hated the inconvenienc e of adjusting their points. COnsidering this is something you can do on the road, I carried a new set of points and condensor with me, in every vehicle I owned that had points. They relied on the breaker plate that the points used, they only replaced the points. My '83 GS750ES, which I purchased new, used a 1 year only CDI. They cost like $600 bucks to get fromm Suzuku. The 1150 Suzuki fits, and will get your bike moving, but has the wrong power curve, and there is no way to adjust that. I purchased a couple off of EBAY in the event the original went bad. I took one apart, Suzuki actually removed all the component part numbers, they cannot be repaired. I am a liscened Electronic technician, RCA did that with their TV's, which was why I never recommended them to anybody. As long as there is suffficient cam lube on the parts that slides on the cam for opening and closing the points, they last a long time. Most people I knew never lubed them and wondered why after a couple of hundred miles, the points would close up. :)
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