electric start,

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

john robert bould

Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
2,210
Since becoming diabetic and loosing some 3 stone, i have found my MK 3 with a genuine 6000 miles a real pain to kick start, i attempted to show my grandson how the kicker works..i huffed and puffed ..for some reason the bike as a huge amount of comp...at 12 stone i can stand on the kick start for at least 20 seconds! i have not tried placing weight on the kick start and pressing the electric start...what would happen if this tried, would the kicked drop like a stone and cause damage?
I remember the starter was called an assister..as any one ever tried this?
 
You can kick and hit the starter at the same time. It won't hurt it. That's what I had to do until I put the Harley upgrade in mine.
Jaydee
 
When i brought my new 74 850 Norton i could have gone the M111 at the time, but I was told back then that the 75 E/S was meant to be used as a kickstart helper, kick and hit the started at the same time, I decided to get the 74 instead, at the time there was only 2 74 Commandos left in Brisbane at 2 diffrent shops, I took into account the extra weight with the E/S model and I liked the right gear change better.

The first E/S Harleys were also meant to be used as a kick start helper as well.

Ashley
 
From the Mk iii Rider's Manual, section: Driving, p14: "...Alternatively, the electric starter can be supplemented by the kickstarter. To use this method depress the kickstart without exertion at the same time as the starter button is pressed.,,"

In a moment of bonhomie I let a good friend ride my Commando, he couldn't kick it over, even by throwing his 11 stone onto the kickstart - I had to start it for him, he just couldn't get the knack. He/also seemed to think the clutch was a bit tough (wimp rides a VFR)

Pushrod

Mk III Commando
 
Before I installed the Alton e-start on my '73, although it was a one-kick starter in most cases, I took advantage of gravity to bump start any time I could park it aimed down hill! :)
 
I normally say to admirers, ' if you can start it, you can have a go on it" Not many takers………………………whips
 
gripper said:
I normally say to admirers, ' if you can start it, you can have a go on it" Not many takers………………………whips
Click to expand...
I let my son ride the '74. When he got back, he exclaimed "That's a lot of work!" Pull your big girl panties on, and man up!
 
Mike Sullivan said:
From the Mk iii Rider's Manual, section: Driving, p14: "...Alternatively, the electric starter can be supplemented by the kickstarter. To use this method depress the kickstart without exertion at the same time as the starter button is pressed.,,"

In a moment of bonhomie I let a good friend ride my Commando, he couldn't kick it over, even by throwing his 11 stone onto the kickstart - I had to start it for him, he just couldn't get the knack. He/also seemed to think the clutch was a bit tough (wimp rides a VFR)

Pushrod

Mk III Commando
Click to expand...
Nater_Potater said:
gripper said:
I normally say to admirers, ' if you can start it, you can have a go on it" Not many takers………………………whips
Click to expand...
I let my son ride the '74. When he got back, he exclaimed "That's a lot of work!" Pull your big girl panties on, and man up!
Click to expand...

I have offered many bikers the opportunity to kick start mine, no takers . They all seem to be frightened of a kickback or making a fool of themselves!

Not fussy more bikes for us then!
 
Certain posts have been deleted. No further posts to be made in this thread by either phil yates or pete.v
 
Nater_Potater said:
gripper said:
I normally say to admirers, ' if you can start it, you can have a go on it" Not many takers………………………whips
Click to expand...
I let my son ride the '74. When he got back, he exclaimed "That's a lot of work!" Pull your big girl panties on, and man up!
Click to expand...

Oh, that part of Idaho.
Moscow High School class of '71.
 
An apology

Recently I have posted comments regarding kickstarting my commandos. They are in fact all true, however I do own a T 160 that does faithfully start of the button ( AGM battery) no kickstart assistance required, although I do start it of the kickstart just to show that I can. And both my daughters like it better than my commandos.

Without prejudice
James

Name and frame number withheld .
 
Certain posts have been deleted. No further posts to be made in this thread by either phil yates or pete.v
Click to expand...

thank you Les

for being strong and taking control of this forum
 
I start my MK3 exclusively on the button. In fact I've never used the kickstarter because it hits on the exhaust. It's an original 2 brush although I do have 2 spares which I'm in the process of converting to 4 brush versions. Can't see what all the fuss is about, why would you want to kick start when you can push the button and go.
 
Mr. Sparks,
I am in the process of converting to a 4 brush. The problem I am having now is finding a way to attach the ground strap for the field coil to the case. I have an Norton starter case the I am putting Accel field windings in.The original was somehow brazed/spot welded. I am considering drilling and tapping a hole and using a 4/40 screw. What is your way of doing this?
Pete
 
L.A.B.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunnatly the " fixing loop" that was discussed is missing. The PO of this starter case had removed everything. When he removed the field coils, what ever attaching point that existed is gone. So now I have to find a way to get the copper grounding strap attached to the steel case. I don't believe it is possible the use regular soder here. Perhaps silver soder with a torch, but I am concerned about the heat generated ruining the field coils. I image that there is some sort of spot weld device that does this. I called the local starter rebuild shop but he could not offer information.
Thanks again,
Pete
 
I must say since my starter clutch broke a year and a half ago I have become very fond of kick starting my Mk3. I weigh in at 160 pounds - I stand on the right side and drop it all on my left leg. It typically requires two stabs (when the ambient temperature is above 50°F) which is a sort of indicator of bike's health. When she wasn't so healthy I'd sit there and hold that starter button until she either turned over or the battery was drained. Now, when she won't kick over after several stabs I investigate the problem.

Just my personal perspective.
 
The only up-grade I've done to the "e" start is heavier battery cables. And just recently went to Pazon Altair ignition because my old Boyer was apparently not firing at electric start attempts. Motor would turn over and turn over but not fire. A quick stab would bring to life so pretty sure the Boyer was not happy with the amount of left over electricity after the starter took what it needed. Chose the Altair 'cause it was advertised as needing the least amount of voltage to fire.
 
Hi Pete,
I'm looking for a picture of one that works (field attachment points) before I proceed as I'm concerned about the direction of rotation/position of the field coils. I am going to tin the field coil leads and the spots where they attach to the frame then use a spot welder. Also looking to experiment with a needle roller on the drive end.
I was missing a set of pole shoes so I bought an Evinrude starter which was already 4 brush but the housing has tabs welded otherwise I would have used it.
So if anyone has a picture of the brush end after the 4 brush modification it would be much appreciated.
 
Deets55 said:
Mr. Sparks,
I am in the process of converting to a 4 brush. The problem I am having now is finding a way to attach the ground strap for the field coil to the case. I have an Norton starter case the I am putting Accel field windings in.The original was somehow brazed/spot welded. I am considering drilling and tapping a hole and using a 4/40 screw. What is your way of doing this?
Pete
Click to expand...
Hi Pete, I have the same kit (Accel) and all I was going to do was tin the copper leads and the spots on the frame where they attach and then use a spot welder for the final joint.
What I am looking for is a picture of the brush end of one that has the 4 brush mod as I'm concerned about the direction of rotation, any help would be appreciated.
I'm also interested to know if anyone has fitted roller bearings?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
This may interest Norton owners as I have seen the use of decompressor buttons on high comp Norton engines.
Replies
10
Views
465
o0norton0o
o0norton0o
Tornado
MkIII Electric Leg Questions
2
Replies
38
Views
1,927
Thomasa
Thomasa
Tornado
Hard Starts After Fuel Cutoff
Replies
16
Views
829
Tornado
Tornado
savingclassicmotorcycles
850 mk3's Electric Start, tips an advice?
2
Replies
20
Views
998
marshg246
marshg246
Edfury828
Rear Wheel turns with kicker - no clutch
Replies
5
Views
384
Tornado
Tornado
Back
Top