A real kicker of a question

Status
Not open for further replies.
I use the centre stand, its the last highest strength version and been doctored with some weld to pick the rear wheel off the ground.
 
Free kick, no stand, for the norton, triumph and BSA. With clip on's, hi comp motors on the Norton and Triumph (the Beezer is a breeze in comparison), it is getting more difficult especially with age. I find kicking it through a couple times with the clutch pulled in helps to free things up
 
Craig said:
First start of day , on center stand with my left leg , after that usually can get it started while balanced on seat ...
Click to expand...

My method as well. Left leg on the center stand when cold. Right leg, no stand, at the gas station. Wear of the center stand is not a consideration.
Age, strength, stature, weight, physical ability, balance, etc. are all factors that come into play. In my 20s and weighing about 200 lbs., no sweat starting from the saddle when cold. Now in my 60's, with less physical strength, arthritis, joints, the electric boot is likely not far off! o_O

~998cc
 
Yup .... my working life weight ranged from 2010-2015lbs depending on how much wknd beer , today a trim 175lbs just a ghost .... almost always can get fire from seat position once bike been warmed up for day , do worry ‘bout intersections sometimes ...
 
maylar said:
when I was young - #3
when I got older - #1 or #2 depending on if I could get it on the center stand
now that I'm old and decrepit - #4, push the button.
Click to expand...

Curious, how does one get ones foot up to the electric leg button?
 
maylar said:
If you want to wow the crowd, you can kick the start lever at the same time.
Click to expand...

I used to do that if there was a crowd around after I installed the Alton :) Can't do that trick anymore because I removed the kickstart lever a couple of years ago.
 
+1 for centerstand starts. It allows you to use your weight drop plus leg extension. Also find the compression spot to start kick stroke. Dont use the sidestand.
 
I don't really even kick most of the time... Just kind of get up a little and drop through on it... Most times on only half the kicker. I kid you not this one is so easy, but it can get finicky now and then to make me look a fool. Especially when I make claims such as this.
 
With the hot spark from the JH Maggie most of the time my bike is running before I get 1/2 way through the swing on the kicker, makes life a lot easier when things are set right.

Ashley
 
Cold, no side or centre stand, pull in clutch & kick a couple of times to ensure clutch plates are free, pistons just before tdc, tickle carbs followed by a smooth kick! If hot, skip the clutch bit, (original) ES works, but to be honest it's rarely used - if people are watching then more than 1 kick may be required!

Just waiting for rain to stop so I can try out the results of the past 2 months rebuilding efforts - a big shout out here to Alan Sessions for the help!

Mike

MK III ES
 
I remember years ago having a blast on my buddy's Triton, turned it round in the road zero lock and stalled, tried to kick it almost fell over, clip ons high comp ect ect, high bars certainly help for a no - stand start.
 
@worntorn I have both a mk3 and T160 style kicker and I have used on my relatively newly built 9.5:1 motor. It is stiffer to start than stock, but I dont really have an issue with either.

That said, the T160 style is easier. However, when kicking free standing as I normally do, my foot tends to come off at the bottom of the stroke occasionally. When this happens, because of the reversal of the folding kicker knuckle, it tends to catch in on the rearsets shifter, and previously the exhaust.
 
Craig said:
Yup .... my working life weight ranged from 2010-2015lbs depending on how much wknd beer , today a trim 175lbs just a ghost .... almost always can get fire from seat position once bike been warmed up for day , do worry ‘bout intersections sometimes ...
Click to expand...
Hell 2010-2015 lbs ,that is massive,how tall are you ?The Norton must look like a mini bike with you on it .I suppose you could just depress the kickstart lever with a single hand .
 
When you're 10 miles out and you have stopped for a while AND things aren't so perfect (some motor problem has begun -- gee, it started easy when I was home?!?), starting while balanced gets hard after a few kicks, down right exhausting (it almost started that time -- just a couple of more kicks ought to do it). At times like that it would be nice to have the phone number on your cell of that 90 lb. child starting service to come out and kick the damned thing into life -- and kick your exhausted heart back into life too. That's when you'll use that center stand and not give a hang if some old Norton kick start expert is watching or not.
 
I was never able to start my Commando off to the side or sitting on the seat. I always had to straddle it standing with both feet on the pegs, on the prop stand, get it over compression and give it a push through the 2nd compression. All while trying to keep balance on the prop stand. I actually got quite good at balancing the bike that way and never had an issue with the prop stand. If I tried any other way I would likely drop the bike. It's worked for me to this day. It's mostly in developing your technique no matter how you do it.
 
On its wheels, always.
It shouldn't make you nervous to switch off the engine in traffic, like for a railroad crossing, road works,
or to tell that police officer that you didn't do it..
 
Before I installed the Alton there is no way...No Way...NO WAY I would have switched off the engine in traffic! ;) And that included back in the day when I had my first Commando, was in my early 20's, thought I was the best motorcycle rider since Mike Hailwood and wasn't afraid of anything...except stalling my Commando in traffic! :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top