Kick Start Sticking...

jsouthard · Feb 3, 2012

Hey Guys,

Over the last couple months (colder months) i have been have trouble kicking thru on initial start up. It will lock up or refuse to kick all the way thru the first couple times (when cold). Once she has warmed up, even after riding a couple blocks she kicks through easily and starts right up.

I took off the primary cover, clutch plates are clean, proper chain tension, everything tight. Not sure what could be causing this?

Any ideas? I'm almost breaking my legs on initial start up.

thanks,

bill · Feb 3, 2012

what weight oil are you using?? if it is straight 50# it can be realy hard to kick through when it is cold ( below 60 f )

jsouthard said:
Hey Guys,

Over the last couple months (colder months) i have been have trouble kicking thru on initial start up. It will lock up or refuse to kick all the way thru the first couple times (when cold). Once she has warmed up, even after riding a couple blocks she kicks through easily and starts right up.

I took off the primary cover, clutch plates are clean, proper chain tension, everything tight. Not sure what could be causing this?

Any ideas? I'm almost breaking my legs on initial start up.

thanks,

Hobot · Feb 3, 2012

Check that kick lever ain't fouling the foot peg stalk. Might be developing a crack in the Kick end of lay shaft and ratchet cog may be wearing blunt and/or DS layshaft bearing breaking up. Also suspect the thin 1st gear bush is worn to point of breaking up.

FastFred · Feb 3, 2012

If bike has been stood a while I'd say wet sumping and cold temps but it sounds like you ride regular. What carbs do you have?

DogT · Feb 3, 2012

I have never had trouble pushing my kickstart lever down and my bike wet sumps horribly and I use straight SAE50. It may get a bit stiff at about 40 F. I'd be tearing into the gearbox to have a look.

Dave
69S

FastFred · Feb 3, 2012

Mine is lot harder when wetsumped and cold and I am leg pressing 310kG three sets of eight at the gym so it ain't my legs. Anyway enough of how macho I am but I have noticed a different feel thro' a single mikuni carb when the choke is on compared to off?!!

I'll keep taking the tablets..

jsouthard · Feb 3, 2012

It could be that i'm just wimpy. '5 10" and 149 pounds. Ha!

20W/50 oil, No wet sumping. Not hitting the foot pegs. Kick start prawl in good shape.

Not sure. It could just be stiffening up from the cold but living in Nashville i haven't gone more than 2 weeks without running her and it's currently 65 degrees out. Just changed the oil(s) and did a a full tune-up. No change.

Hobot · Feb 3, 2012

Cold oil only makes it slower-harder to shove through but does not hang up and stop the swing though. Over 50' F ain't even considered cold so your balmy mid 60's means you are about to learn and practice ancient art of diagnostic disassembly - some more.

Kick Start Sticking...

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