Electric starter opinions...again...

Well ...my Commando is finally ready to hit the road: lost 3 months waiting for a new lock/key on my CNW/Corbin seat (from the Corbin side! as usual Matt was really helpful) and then the brand new front belt drive pulley sheared its key and I had to wait for another pulley from Norvil... Added to this some little electric problems like the LED charging light not connected where it should, front brake light switch (I want everything to function on my bikes, its a desease!!) and bingo summer is gone and its wet outside for the last 3 weekends! Now the real problem: in my accident I lost almost 10cms of my femur in a compund break. the leg is ok now, slight limp but its weak still! So weak that I can start my 2 strokes, even my Interceptor but NOT the Commando!!! This really pisses me off as it has been my dream to get back on this machine (same principle as getting back on a horse after falling!) and ... it costs me a bundle too!!!!
Every other week I contact Alton for news on their electric starter kit and I am back in France, where I am from, : "this did not arrive. It was vacations etc.". I see that NORVIL is offering the kit for primay chain (at 1600.00 BPS... far from the 1000.00 Euros from the announcement?!) but the belt drive system is still on hold...
NCW kit will not be ready till next summer... Old Brits system comes with too many "does not work with..." and is $3000.00!

I've been thinking of creating a valve lifter (a la Yamaha XS2) to help releasing comp on one cylinder or should I join a gym and try to get my leg better or just wait for miracles while the bike is wet sumping in its corner?
Philippe

Don't give up so easy on kicking.Try this as the left leg is still good ? Put the bike on centerstand on concrete. Stand by motor and spin yourself around facing the tail end of the bike.Climb up a bit and come down on the kicker using the good left. Just an idea but try it.

Don't you have enough time to strengthen the leg? Maybe you need a new physical therapist. I had one once who was so hot that my back almost never got better… :mrgreen:

How about a roller starter? You could use it on all your bikes until your leg gets better.Of course will only work at home.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwJFNqcyLz8[/video]

The solution to your problem is quite simple:

Simply view this video of Jim Comnoz's stress free Commando starting technique

http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu31 ... art001.mp4

See..? That's the ticket. Swing out Kicker piece could use a dab of grease though.

Philippe
There is an extra long Kick start that is available to ease the follow through. Check the search for Kick start lever on this site.
Then there is the Trispark digital ignition available to ease starting while you wait for the Alton belt system. I've never put one in my bike but others on this forum could chime in. Apparently it has a better advance curve than a Boyer analogue but also double the price.
Cheers,
CNN

Hang in there Philippe,

I was told by Hervé that kits will be shipping in december and that they have 100 casting to be delivered early next year. Getting something produced in numbers is not as easy as writing a gripe on a forum. Something simple like a toaster should be easy to make no? just take a look at http://www.thetoasterproject.org/ and you may find it is not that simple, now consider adding an electric starter to a 40 year old motorcycle sourcing parts from all over the world, not easy and it does take time.

Jean

Have you tried a left foot start. When I bought my bike, the PO said he should start it as it was not running well. He, to my surprise, with the bike on the center stand, stood next to the bike, and used his left foot to try and start the bike, repeatedly, over and over, a lot, rested, tried again. He got it started (I think it started to keep him from kicking it to death). Seem to work with less effort than a right foot start.

BUT, don’t hurt yourself. You are worth more than the bike.

Jeandr said:

Getting something produced in numbers is not as easy as writing a gripe on a forum.

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God forbid you try to get a whole bike made… :roll:

Philippe, it sounds to me like it would be best if you waited until your leg is fully healed. With a well tuned modern Commando a kickback is rare but it could still happen. This could really wreck your leg.

As far as adding an electric start it is important to look at how much weight it will add to the bike. If you add 50 pounds to a 400 pound bike the difference might be noticable. Perhaps you could try out a Commando with electric start and see how you like it before spending all that money.

My grandfather's brother had a tractor that started with a shotgun shell. It's too bad nobody makes something like that for the Commando.

My grandfather's brother had a tractor that started with a shotgun shell. It's too bad nobody makes something like that for the Commando.
Murray B Posts: 7Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:28 am

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Didn't Hobot put one on Trixie?

Thanks for the answers...
Here are my thoughts: I am in the US and my medical provider is Kaiser, this means that they gave up on me long time ago... So no more therapy/help in there!
I can start some of my 2 strokes with my left arm (did I mention my right arm, dominant, is screwed too?) so I am afraid the Comnando will be difficult this way !
I have the Tri ignition and the bike is as easy to start as the best Commandos around, it is just my leg.
I am looking at a longer kick starter: I am afraid it won't fit under the SS pipe.... As anyone TRIED this eBay item 230670339961 with SS pipes?
Jean: I know things take time to produce... But why announces it 6 months ago for the "end of the month" and not deliver ?
Philippe

prmurat said:

Here are my thoughts: I am in the US and my medical provider is Kaiser, this means that they gave up on me long time ago... So no more therapy/help in there!

Philippe

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As you know, I had a similar incident. My experience has been that while the greatest rate of improvement is in the first year, the gains over time are aggregate and where you are now isn't the way things are going to be later on down the road. Your remark about joining a gym or waiting for a miracle pretty much says it all about how it goes. I found the gym worked out best and the girls there are by far more fun to watch than the ones in church.

Philippe,
My right posterior cruciate ligament snapped 20 odd years ago but I still managed to start my commando. My knee finally wore out last year and they've fitted me with a great big steel joint so I'm left leg kick starting from now on. In my opinion it's not muscle you need just technique. As others have said, it's important to put it on the main stand on firm ground, then keep your knee slightly bent, just in case it kicks back, lift yourself up over the lever and use your weight and make sure you follow through the second compression. That's the one that'll kick you if you don't as it might stop just before top dead.
Don't let it beat you, best of luck,
Cash

I have a 850 with a whatever they call it at Old Brit ing system fires good and works fine but if you turn on the ing push down on compression and decide to get a better push and it backs up a little it will kick you into next week the little wheel counts and don't know the difference from forward to revese so if the engine backs up the timing on that round is advanced, can be advanced a LOT.