Another newbie question. Is there any tried and true starting procedure that is used on the 750's? My old man said he remembers it being stubborn, but I've seen a lot of first kick starts, and I'm sure there's got to be something that can be done to ease the pain. I read something about getting the motor to TDC, but I'm not sure how to validate that either, nor was it Norton specific. Any tips or tricks would be great.

Free off clutch (pull in the lever and kick till it slips through)
Kick pistons just over TDC
Turn on gas, fill float bowls, tickle to a slight dribble
Turn on key
Standing astride bike, left foot planted, right foot on kicker with no slack in it's travel, balancing all the time,
Jump up and focus body weight on kicker, kick it like you mean it, maintaining your balance and following through, landing with your left foot back on the ground
Clear right foot off kicker in case of kickback (install Tri-Spark ignition to eliminate the possibility of kickback)

Vroom vroom.

Got it. Thanks! Now, how can I validate this?

grandpaul wrote:...Kick pistons just over TDC...Vroom vroom.

As you kick slowly, the pedal will get stiffer 'till the pistons drop over TDC. Push slowly.

grandpaul wrote:Free off clutch (pull in the lever and kick till it slips through)
Kick pistons just over TDC
Turn on gas, fill float bowls, tickle to a slight dribble
Turn on key
Standing astride bike, left foot planted, right foot on kicker with no slack in it's travel, balancing all the time,
Jump up and focus body weight on kicker, kick it like you mean it, maintaining your balance and following through, landing with your left foot back on the ground
Clear right foot off kicker in case of kickback (install Tri-Spark ignition to eliminate the possibility of kickback)

Vroom vroom.

I also give mine a slight amount of throttle and choke on cold starts...

Just a bit of carbon fouling on my plugs made mine a hard starter until I switched to iridiums. Now it's a one kick starter about 2/3 the time and two kicks the rest...

Thanks, guys. I'll give it a go next time, and report back!

I never bother finding TDC, just tickle the carbs if they can or open the enricher and give it a mighty heave. Being heavy enough (185lb) and cycling sure helps in starting those big flywheels turning fast enough.

Jean

grandpaul wrote:Free off clutch (pull in the lever and kick till it slips through)
Kick pistons just over TDC
Turn on gas, fill float bowls, tickle to a slight dribble
Turn on key
Standing astride bike, left foot planted, right foot on kicker with no slack in it's travel, balancing all the time,
Jump up and focus body weight on kicker, kick it like you mean it, maintaining your balance and following through, landing with your left foot back on the ground
Clear right foot off kicker in case of kickback (install Tri-Spark ignition to eliminate the possibility of kickback)

Vroom vroom.

Only step I'd change:

Free off clutch (pull in the lever and kick till it slips through)
Kick pistons just over TDC
Turn on gas, fill float bowls, tickle to a slight dribble
Kick through at least one with KEY OFF.
Turn on key
Standing astride bike, left foot planted, right foot on kicker with no slack in it's travel, balancing all the time,
Jump up and focus body weight on kicker, kick it like you mean it, maintaining your balance and following through, landing with your left foot back on the ground