Kick starter won t engage

I just purchased a 1971 750 Commando , only took 40 years, YEAH ! The young man I bought it from had the motor running which I heard on video and he told me when he engaged the clutch and went to shift it into gear, it stalled as if the clutch was never disengaged and now the kick starter will not turnover the engine.
The bike was stored un-started for 12 years ( Dried out ?)
I have tested the the transmission and when you put into any gear, it does transfer to the rear wheel.
So when you try and step on the kick starter it does not catch .

Likely the kickstart pawl, item 20 in this parts list:

gearbox-inner-cover

Ok, do you think it is just stuck ?

Norton303 said:

The young man I bought it from had the motor running which I heard on video and he told me when he engaged the clutch and went to shift it into gear, it stalled as if the clutch was never engaged and now the kick starter will not turnover the engine.
The bike was stored un-started for 12 years ( Dried out ?)

Click to expand...

As it has been stored for that length of time then the clutch plates have (probably) stuck together (because pulling in the clutch lever disengages the clutch). Edit: The non-engaging kickstarter pawl would be a different problem.

Must take it apart, and have a look see yourself. Just like I had to, and mine had only 90 miles on it. No way around it. Have to be willing to tinker and give plenty of attention to these old Nortons. ... just like a HIGH maintenance wife/girlfriend.

And of course, what LAB wrote about clutch plates in reply post above.

Norton303 said:

Ok, do you think it is just stuck ?

Click to expand...

Possibly, there is a spring and plunger (items 22, 23 in the parts list) that engages the pawl. But the pawl is a wear item and it's not unusual to need replacement. You will have to disassemble the inner gearbox cover to investigate.

Thank you

The factory workshop manual if you haven't already got a copy: http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repair/70up_Commando/70upCommando.pdf

Start with disassembly of the clutch, you need to do that in any event; use the opportunity to clean and inspect the components that live in the primary case, IE. chain condition/tension, stator condition and any obvious signs of wear or damage. Once the clutch has been cleaned or replaced (do read about how stack height can influence clutch lever effort) and adjusted check by engaging a gear, suggest 2nd or 3rd, pull in the lever and see if the rear wheel can be rotated, if so you are done with the clutch. ALWAYS clear the clutch prior to a start routine!

If the k/s does not engage THEN work that issue. Keep in mind that the k/s pawl is relatively fragile, so when commencing a start gently engage the the pawl then throw your weight on the pedal. Riders that throw their weight on an un-engaged k/s mechanism will, eventually, break the pawl and/or f*ck up the lay shaft gear that the pawl engages, never mind adding stress to all parts between the k/s lever and the engine that they don't need.

When working or operating your Norton consider the analogy that you are waltzing with a very attractive older person (not to say you are any spring chicken either) who is aligned with your preferences (how's that for PC?), and NOT break-dancing with much younger fantasy of similar gender.

Best.

Thank you , yes I often take the Vintage approach of GENTLE ! The young man who sold me the bike is 23 and has a rice burned with a key start and I had explained it was 1 up 3 down and he replied ohhhhh ! so he never checked anything befor starting it out of its 12 year sleep. I insisted he not do anything further, but SELL it to me and now it has a new home.

Well congrats on joining this fraternity! You've come to the right place. There's more knowledge here on Nortons to keep you learning for years. You've got a long list of items to check to just resolve the issue you reported...but do make sure you begin a more comprehensive review of the bike.

Some good info and tutorial here. Norton boxes are all largely the same, with some good differences in a Mk3.

The uk norton owners club sell a gearbox strip down and rebuild CD which I found to be very helpful.

Possible that some klutz has installed the Pawl upside down. I did it!!. Lasts for a while then fails. Look carefully how the teeth meet .