Kawasaki triples CDI ignitions

Contents

Summary of pickups

Detailed model information

Summary of the different pickup systems

There are four main versions of stock CDI ignitions used on the Kawasaki triples. Most of them are interchangable between the bikes if the COMPLETE charging/ignition system is used.

• The H2 750 (all years) and the H1D 500 -73 have three pickups and three CDI boxes. There is one pulse/rev/pickup. Schematic
• The H1/A/C (early model 500 -69 to -71) have one pickup and one CDI box that fires three times per revolution (feeding a high voltage distributor). Schematic
• The H1E/F/KH500 (late models 500 -74, -75 and -76) have one pickup and one box that fires three times per rev. It does not have a high voltage distributor like the early H1, rather, the rotor has three copper segments on the face that are contacted by brushes (much like the charging system). Kawasaki also called this a "distributor". The brushes provide a path to the primary of the appropriate coil as the rotor turns. Schematic
• The last model of the 400cc triple, the KH400, has three pickups and one box with three coils. This is a system that is simlar to the H2 with regard to pickups. The H2 has a single "rectifier" box and a separate cdi box for each cylinder (4 total). The KH400 has a single molded "box" with all components contained. Schematic
• The Boyer Bransden system is a replacement aftermarket ignition for KH250, S2 350 etc models with points ignition. This system may also be used on other triples if the stator/rotor/rectifier from the smaller triples is used. On the pickup side it is similar in functionality to the H1 500 CDI that has one pickup giving three signals per revolution and feeding one box. Schematic and installation instructions

With regards to the pickup side there are two groups of ignition systems on the Kawasaki triples.

• The H2/H1D/KH400 with three pickups, each giving one signal per revolution.
• Early H1, late H1 and bikes equipped with a Boyer Bransden are also similar, with one pickup giving three signals per revolution (the Boyer has three pickups but they are wired together, the late H1 has two pickups wired together).

More info at

• Kawasaki Triples Worldwide Resources
• CDI System Diagrams
• Pictures of Stators and Ignition boxes

Detailed CDI Information

H2 and H1D

H2 Schematic

Late H1 ignition

Late H1 500 1974-1976 consists of a pickup feeding a CDI unit giving three pulses per revolution.

Late H1 Schematic

Info from Falconman:

I have pics of all the signals and the voltage levels written down somewhere. Here is the pickup signal on a late H1, it is about 2 Vpp.



The signal stayed almost the same from idle to about 4500 rpm. That's as far as I went with it.

I do remember the voltage from the stator to the cdi was a little over 300 V and the voltage to the primary side of the coil was about 300v as well. There is some loss going thru the "low voltage distributor" (rotor).

Here are the signals (taken at idle on late H1) for the stator output to cdi unit (cdi_scope005) and from cdi to coil primary (cdi_scope006). I will look for the voltage readings and send them when I find them.

Boyer Bransden

Boyer Bransden schematic. Actual pickup resistance was measured at 95 ohm.

Picture of the Boyer System mounted on a S2 350 stator/rotor assembly. Note! It is not possible to mount the Boyer system directly on an H1 with points system. You have to use the rotor and stator from an S2, for instance.

Signal from the Boyer pickup at idle. It is about 1 V peak to peak.