Electric or kick starter

Status
Not open for further replies.
A Commando is not sacred, people have been making them their own since day 1. Some people just do a better job than others. Witness the beauty of CNW.
 
I bought my Commando new in '72 so am kind of attached to it and enjoy riding it. I'm 71, can still kick start it but why the hell should I when there is a very good alternative available? I don't feel any threat to my masculinity by pressing a button rather than kick starting my bike.
 
I am with Schwany.
I understand the arguments for an electric start, but IMO it doesn't belong on a Norton.
If I can no longer kickstart, I will get another bike.
Plenty of nice bikes on the market for the price of a CNW kit.
 
Schwany said:
Is the OP getting a knee replacement? I must have missed that.

Personally, if my knee went out, I'd get rid of the bike at my age. If I still wanted to ride with a shot knee, it wouldn't be on a Norton. No offense to the Norton stalwarts. I've just ridden a lot better, and know what is comfortable for me particularly if I was messed up enough to need a knee. I'd probably forget motorcycles and just drive my '65 El Camino if I wanted to drive something old. Not as much fun or stimulating, but a sweet ride it is.
Click to expand...
Just have to agree to differ on that one
Personally the electric start on my commando is a game changer
Allows me to carry on riding it
If my knee wasn't shot I wouldn't dream of fitting a starter conversion
 
I'm probably Grandpa's age, and we want to prove a point that we can still kick start a bike!!! Every Norton has a little dance you do to kick start. I'm sure you both will learn it. But as said before it's less embarrassing to press the button in an intersection then to push it off the side! LOL good luck and have fun!! Ck the forum for any questions, these are a GREAT group of people, and someone will always have the cure for your problem.
 
Certainly is nice to have so many helpful experts (young and old) to explain to us feeble minded old guys that we should give up riding our Nortons if we need an electric starter to make them practical. Maybe it just never occurred to them that we might simply like riding them, and aren't interested in replacing them with some other modern bike. Trust me on this one. The fact that the electric starter makes my life easier does not mean that I'm not competent to ride my Nortons, and it certainly doesn't diminish the fun of doing so. I'm sure the same is true of other "more mature" Norton owners. And like many of them, I also ride modern bikes and enjoy them for what they are, but I still get a different sort of pleasure from a brisk ride on a proper Commando, particularly in company with fellow enthusiasts.

Ken
 
MexicoMike said:
It may not matter at all but the CNW Estart negates the use of the OEM (Ham Can) air filter so depending on how "stock" you want the bike to look that may affect your decision.
Click to expand...
CNW offers a shortened Ham Can kit, too! (or at least they used to). Anyone with snips and rubber cement can modify the grille and filter...
 
And while I'm on my bully pulpit, let me point out for those who seem to have missed it, that the last of the old Commando production models (1975+) did come from the factory with an electric starter. So it doesn't seem like that much sacrilege to fit one to the earlier models. Just my humble opinion, of course, :rolleyes:

Ken
 
I'll tell you another thing, since I broke my lower leg last year, I think my kicking days MIGHT be over unless the bike is an easy starter and/or with reasonably low compression. I tried kicking my buddy's '66 Triumph after I got done with a Hurricane Harvey rescue on it, and after 2 kicks I had to stop. I need to drag out my rollers and charge up my boat battery now.

Today, we rented a ski boat to take the kids out on the lake with BBQ, etc. I gave the skis a valiant attempt, then a second, even braver one. NO WAY. It has been 10 full months and I KNOW my leg is NOT the same, and if I get caught by a kick-back, it'll be back into surgery for me.

Sad deal...
 
I'm a kick start guy all the way! I also don't think anybody should install an electronic ignition, 1/2" master cylinder, crankcase reed valves, or non-Portuguese lay shaft bearings! Never, ever replace the headsteady or the horn!

But mostly I'd be tempted to sell the electric start and use the money for something else. The truth of it is I am drawn to simple machines.
 
rvich said:
I'm a kick start guy all the way! I also don't think anybody should install an electronic ignition, 1/2" master cylinder, crankcase reed valves, or non-Portuguese lay shaft bearings! Never, ever replace the headsteady or the horn!
Click to expand...
You didn't use to smash up weaving mills in your youth did you?;);)
Screen Shot 2021-09-07 at 1.02.36 pm.png
 
Plenty of nice bikes on the market for the price of a CNW kit.
True, but none of them will draw as large a crowd of lookers outside a pub. :)

Re kick start: The Commando - per historical info - was originally planned/designed to have electric start long before the Mk III. So if you install an E start you are simply completing what the factory intended. ;)
 
For me it just allows me to carry on riding one of my favourite bikes
I have 5 bikes I keep on the road and the commando gets the most use
I'm guessing there's a demand for a starter on a commando as you have the choice of two manufacturers a cnw or Alton now QPD have packed up
Sorry if I've left any others out
 
I've got a MK III so I already have the option. I used to kick it except at the embarrassing stoplight stall, pretty rare but has happened, but anyway, my knee is deteriorating but the rest of me is still going strong, so I'm glad for the E-start version.

I confess that I was more inclined to kick it in the presence of HDs as it roars to life in proper fashion. Childish, I know, but don't care.
 
Problem with the electric boot is the weight. Ludwig would understand.
I have a Trident and two Enfields and the Norton. Norton is the hardest to
start. First three kicks no sweat after that I have to stop and wait a bit.
Only real bother is if you stall it out in town.
 
Onder said:
Problem with the electric boot is the weight. Ludwig would understand.
I have a Trident and two Enfields and the Norton. Norton is the hardest to
start. First three kicks no sweat after that I have to stop and wait a bit.
Only real bother is if you stall it out in town.
Click to expand...
I really really hate the extra weight of the starter and battery
I'm glad I have lost a lot of weight off the bike before I fitted the electric start
 
maylar said:
For a stock 73 or 74 850 the total weight gain is only about 10 lbs. with the cNw e-start.
Click to expand...
I'd need to put on more than 10lbs to kickstart my mk3! I can often stand on the lever and bounce my weight without shifting it. It doesn't sump. If there's a knack to it, I don't have it. I've tried. I can easily kick my 500 Enfield, but not the 850. Can't say it affects my enjoyment of the ride though.
 
maylar said:
For a stock 73 or 74 850 the total weight gain is only about 10 lbs. with the cNw e-start.
Click to expand...
The Alton weighs 11kg that's just over 24lb so the cnw kit is less than half the weight?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

74ok
ES CV triumph unit - these 3 bikes either have a 40mm CV carb or a Electric Start or both. One has a 38 or 40mm Dellorto. The ES kit is by ARK Eng and
Replies
1
Views
690
grandpaul
grandpaul
savingclassicmotorcycles
850 mk3's Electric Start, tips an advice?
2
Replies
20
Views
2,534
marshg246
marshg246
Peter Waller
Commando primary chain rubbing on bottom of inner chain case Alton Electric Starter Kit.
Replies
12
Views
1,483
ntst8
ntst8
Uncle Frank
  • Locked
Electric Start Blues
2 3
Replies
49
Views
6,069
Dan1950
Dan1950
K
  • Locked
Kick starting the 850 bastard. [ nothing to do with iso's and other shit ]
2 3
Replies
47
Views
4,859
kerinorton
K
Back
Top