Bloody kickstarter handle.

Brewer · Mar 9, 2009

Hi All,
I have a problem with my kickstart handle when riding. It works its way outward... as to be in the kickstart position.
It is a pain when riding, I have to keep an eye on it... and push it back in to the folded position when I am riding..!

I have also put new washers and dome nut as per specs. to try and fix this problem- but it has a mind of its own!
The strange thing is that It does seem quite firmly tensioned.

Any advice to fix this problem is appreciated.

Brewer.

nidyanazo · Mar 9, 2009

Ya mine does the same. Damn annoying huh!

Brewer · Mar 9, 2009

Hi Nidyanzo.

Yes! it is annoying... and a little ambarassing (seem like a dick) if you have rode the bike for quite a distance while the kick start lever has been sticking out!!!
not a good sight for such a classy bike.
Perhaps someone on the forum has a practical solution for solving this problem we have.

Brewer.

tpeever · Mar 9, 2009

There have been a few threads on this topic. Do a few searches on terms like "migrating kickstart" and such. I solved the problem by following the advice of one of the members here (hewhoistolazytologin??). I made myself a spring washer by bending a regular washer and installing the end nut with red Loctite. Works very well.

T.C. · Mar 9, 2009

Migrating Kick Start

You can also install a spring detent, like the Mk lll has. Old Britts has a tech article with some how-to photos and the bits to install it.
I have one on my '74 and wouldn't go back. Highly recommended.

Corona850 · Mar 10, 2009

I tried the spring washer and the star washer attack. But what I found worked best for me was to get a nylon washer for about 25c at the hardware store. Then I put some blue loctite on the acorn nut. Tighten the kickstart pedal up until it is quite stiff. The nylon washer allows you to move it out when needed, but has enough friction to keep it tucked away whn folded in. The blue loctite keeps the whole thing from loosening.

peckster · Mar 10, 2009

ludwig said:
You need a small , but strong spring 4mm dia. + a 4.5 mm bearing ball , and do this :
This one is a bit worn out over the years , but still works fine .

Ludwig, you are a maestro!

Brewer · Mar 10, 2009

Thank you everyone!
That does give me few options.
Ludwig! cool kickstarter mod. I reckon, that a lot of Norton owners appreciate your great idea!

I will try that one myself.

Brewer.

ntst8 · Mar 11, 2009

I have the spring washer now and that works well but before i fitted the washer i had the kickstart lever mounted so that it was leaning slightly to the rear when fully up. Gravity then holds folding section in place. You do lose a bit of swing on the kick start though so not good if your bike is a hard starter.

bigstu · Mar 11, 2009

kickstarter migration

I used a wavy washer and locktite threadlock on the domed nut.
Seems to work fine but of couse the spring and ball detent is a more elegant solution that we use in machine tool engineering all the time.
It aslo has a lovely feel about it if you get it right....a tip.... when you drill (dimple) the rotating part (the kicker), don't drill it too deep, it should be a dimple, not a hole, or the ball disapears into the hole and 'locks' the mechanism in the out position....which would be really disapointing, would it not?

Cookie · Mar 11, 2009

Years ago I used the spring and ball from a ratchet rebuild kit. I'm not sure if you can buy those anymore.

bluto · Apr 26, 2016

An old thread and I should have searched for it before I worked on the problem, not after...but anyway was able to fix mine today with a thin 10mm wavy washer bought at my local big box hardware store, it now has just the right amount of drag with the dome nut tightened up against it and a thin washer underneath the lever.

25ring · Apr 27, 2016

Fixed mine by putting a nylon washer on it. Cheap fix and has been working well for over a year. Mike.

MFB · Apr 29, 2016

I cobbled up a spring detent arrangement some decades ago. Nice to know that Norton finally got it right on the Mk111. I have never examined a Mk111 closely.
I used a 3mm ball. If my fading memory serves me correctly, I think I used a spring from a ballpoint pen. Cheap fix, still works well.

Bloody kickstarter handle.

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