Kawasaki Voltage Regulator - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

kipperoo3 · 09-24-2003, 10:12 AM

Hi Everybody!

Well, I have a motorcycle question for anybody who knows something about electical systems. My roommate's motorcycle's headlight blew out the otherday and we went into the electrics to find out what went wrong... all the correct fuses, changed them out, the wiring all looks intact, but a new headlight blew again after we double checked the fuse sizes. So I took my multimeter and the battery is reading anywhere from 15.5v to 17v depending on how fast the bike is running. After a little more research I found out that a common problem is inside the voltage regulator. My question is, are voltage regulators somewhat interchangable, or are they bike specific? A USED voltage regulator from the local shop is over $120. I've seen others (ebay, etc) for kawasakis going for about $10-15. The bike is a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 B-1. Thanks for your help!

RotEx · 09-24-2003, 12:11 PM

as far as i know, you need to get one specifically for your bike, the same thing happened to me in my brand new Snowmobile. its a common occurance, just make sure when you put the new one in, you dont blow it up, be CAREFUL when you put it in, (like dont connect it and disconnect it again and again.

That price seems quite steep, the one for my snowmobile was 30$ brand new, see if you can get an aftermarket one. but as far as i know they are not interchangable, they need a specifig engine size, becazuse with bigger engines comes more power through the stayter, and, well... i just think that you need the one ment for your bike...

can someone else prove me wrong?

JusticeForPhat · 09-24-2003, 01:40 PM

hmm thats a tough one. I can vouch from experience that with a Honda the regualtor / rectifier can be interchanged from one model to another fairly easily. For example I use a 1000cc regulator / rectifier on a 600cc CBR motor. Works just fine. All it is in three yellow wires in, and then 12 volts out. Pretty hard to mess up in a honda.

Now in your case I'm not too sure. I'd have to check the wiring harness and part for each bike. And $120 for a used one is really high. If I were you search for local bike salvage yards. AJ Cycle salvage here in philly has sold me regulator / rectifiers for 20 bucks.

kipperoo3 · 09-24-2003, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the replies! The place I got the first quote from was a salvage yard. I've called a few other local shops and found I could get a New Old Stock regulator for less than they want. I'll keep looking for solutions, and please let me know if you have any ideas! Thanks again!

Moonduck · 09-25-2003, 10:33 PM

Hey JusticeForPhat, you have a number for that yard? I need a reg/rec for my cb750.

09-24-2003, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
kipperoo3 Crazy Location: Phoenix, AZ	Kawasaki Voltage Regulator Hi Everybody! Well, I have a motorcycle question for anybody who knows something about electical systems. My roommate's motorcycle's headlight blew out the otherday and we went into the electrics to find out what went wrong... all the correct fuses, changed them out, the wiring all looks intact, but a new headlight blew again after we double checked the fuse sizes. So I took my multimeter and the battery is reading anywhere from 15.5v to 17v depending on how fast the bike is running. After a little more research I found out that a common problem is inside the voltage regulator. My question is, are voltage regulators somewhat interchangable, or are they bike specific? A USED voltage regulator from the local shop is over $120. I've seen others (ebay, etc) for kawasakis going for about $10-15. The bike is a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 B-1. Thanks for your help!

09-24-2003, 12:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
RotEx Crazy	as far as i know, you need to get one specifically for your bike, the same thing happened to me in my brand new Snowmobile. its a common occurance, just make sure when you put the new one in, you dont blow it up, be CAREFUL when you put it in, (like dont connect it and disconnect it again and again. That price seems quite steep, the one for my snowmobile was 30$ brand new, see if you can get an aftermarket one. but as far as i know they are not interchangable, they need a specifig engine size, becazuse with bigger engines comes more power through the stayter, and, well... i just think that you need the one ment for your bike... can someone else prove me wrong? __________________ everytime i turn around it is an illusion.

09-24-2003, 05:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
kipperoo3 Crazy Location: Phoenix, AZ	Thanks for the replies! The place I got the first quote from was a salvage yard. I've called a few other local shops and found I could get a New Old Stock regulator for less than they want. I'll keep looking for solutions, and please let me know if you have any ideas! Thanks again! __________________ -Later, you realize that you didn't have to reposition the possum to make it look like an accident.

09-24-2003, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
JusticeForPhat Crazy Location: Philly	hmm thats a tough one. I can vouch from experience that with a Honda the regualtor / rectifier can be interchanged from one model to another fairly easily. For example I use a 1000cc regulator / rectifier on a 600cc CBR motor. Works just fine. All it is in three yellow wires in, and then 12 volts out. Pretty hard to mess up in a honda. Now in your case I'm not too sure. I'd have to check the wiring harness and part for each bike. And $120 for a used one is really high. If I were you search for local bike salvage yards. AJ Cycle salvage here in philly has sold me regulator / rectifiers for 20 bucks.

09-25-2003, 10:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Hey JusticeForPhat, you have a number for that yard? I need a reg/rec for my cb750.