My 1979 K was slow to start up, requiring the starter to grind for 5-10 seconds, 1-2 times, before she would start -- and that was after I had turned the gas on for 5-10 minutes before trying to start it! I figured the 30-year old coils were weak, but I did not want to invest in new coils, if I didn't have to.
I read up on the Iridium plugs: supposedly lower resistance for the spark, requiring less energy to jump the gap; $8/plug ($32 total), instead of $150-$200 for two, new, dual coils. I bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs, and put them in. When I hit the starter button for the first time, I jumped out of my skin -- the engine was running the instant the switch contacts closed! The old plugs were original, but they looked good, and the bike ran smoothly once it started. With the new, Iridium plugs in, it runs even smoother, and it starts instantly, even 10,000 miles later. Aside from needing less energy to jump the gap, they will last longer, as well. In a car, Iridium plugs are good for 100,000 miles; in a bike, they should be good for 30,000-50,000 miles. Time will tell. I switched my 1993 Voyager to Iridium plugs also, but I did not see as big of an improvement in that bike -- don't know what type of plugs I pulled out of it, but it has newer, stronger, coils in it, and it is more advanced than the 1979's ignition system. Cheers!
1979 CB750K (sold, 2012, but not forgotten)
1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD Belt Drive (sold, 2011)
1993 Kawasaki Voyager XII