Kickstart issue

I sure never wanted to own special tools or learn the errors in manuals or manufacture and have a number of times seriously thought to be rid of the ongoing suffering, especially when all apart to fix one major thing to discover a few smaller ones plus another biggie. For months at a time dealing with something tedious I've wondered how anyone ever put in what it can take. Still mostly feel that way but now so spent past point of no return, its become a life style punctuated by intervals of sheer joy or road trance I'm glad I endured. Its a manhood tester to me and admit I've run screaming an infantile tantrum out of shed into the night d/t sometime else that overwhelmed me again. Now I've a runner I'm have scared to use it up or risk it or me in public. Kinda saving it up for early Oct out of state ride, but needs new chain first and gaiters and peg rubbers and a fork seal and cases split and fibrer back up goop d/t the seam distortion of prior blow up not my fault expect I didn't soup to nuts it to find Al gasket bearing on comma slot pistons, KAluck-CLANG, fire out and show stopped. 3 yr wait then 9 mo work at it almost daily to recover Trixie.

Thanks guys for the replies... I have left her sitting for a few days and I'm going to go back to it this weekend and see where I get. I'm always a little unsure of my abilities to fix it or at least fix it right. This is my first motorcycle project and although I grew up working on old hot rods with my dad, I always had the security of him being there confirming I did it right.

She was running strong before she blew the head gasket. After rebuilding the top-end and taking it out the other day, she ran... well not so good. Not sure if it was my carbs, timing, vale adjustment or if i messed something up putting it back together.... HAHA. I will keep you all updated on my progress. She was almost for sale on here the other day, But I know have my girly emotions back in check. Thanks again all!

Well said, Peter

I guess what I am saying is that it is so hard to compare the feeling of riding down the road on a 40 year old motorcycle, Norton to be specific, a feeling of which that is unattainable with any other motorcycle IMHO. But there is a price, monetarily, physically and emotionally. Kickstart pawl? Shit man, that’s a 30 minute walk in a beautiful park. Someday that feeling of “damn, it’s always something” will dissipate and be gone and you too will feel empty in that dysfunctional way or maybe not.

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pvisseriii said:

I guess what I am saying is that it is so hard to compare the feeling of riding down the road on a 40 year old motorcycle, Norton to be specific, a feeling of which that is unattainable with any other motorcycle IMHO. But there is a price, monetarily, physically and emotionally. Kickstart pawl? Shit man, that’s a 30 minute walk in a beautiful park. Someday that feeling of “damn, it’s always something” will dissipate and be gone and you too will feel empty in that dysfunctional way or maybe not.

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Include me on that.
I believe that motorcycles are a sure-fire cure for depression, no need for damn shrinks. Even working on my Norton is enjoyable, provided it goes back together well of course.

Sierra, if it's been grinding for a while, the ratchet teeth in the first gear may be knackered. Also, it may be beneficial to shim behind the kickstart shaft inside the inner cover to help the pawl engage a bit deeper in the gear. This also controls layshaft end play if you have the roller bearing. If ordering a new gear, check whether it comes complete with the pressed-in bush, if not you'll need to order the bush too.

Cheers
Martin