Kickstart lever question

On my 71 Roadster the kickstart lever does not start to turn things over untill it's halfway thru the stroke. The bike starts easily enough as is, but I'm wondering what's causing this? Is it normal? If it was a BSA I'd say it felt like someone ground the first tooth off the engagement gear to allow the lever more forward travel for use with rear sets. I have not delved into the inner workings of this gearbox yet and am just preparing myself for whats ahead. FWIW the lever does not smack me in the back of the leg when riding-yet
Thanks

Sounds like the kicker shaft pawl has rounded its sharp engagement edge which might of also caused some rounding off of the inside of 1st gear cog's ratchet teeth it engages. Its another common wear part like AAU or tires or speedo drive or cables and tranny bushes. Wes and I have recovered used up pawls by grinding-filing a new sharp edge but its a stop gap until new pawl installed. Its also possible the 1st gear cog paper thin bush is coming apart to mis align cog for pawl to engage.

What is the resting position of the arm? That is to say is it angling back, forward or straight up?

There are many teeth/collectors in the first gear lay for the pawl to catch which would suggest a kickshaft positioning issue rather than a gear tooth issue.

Now, if the pawl is just broke and it is catching on a stub some how, then that may be another issue. (reaching here a little)

Other than the position, are you able to kick it over consistanly without it slipping or jumping out of engagement?

Kicks over fine, never slips. As far as position, I put it back on so that it sits at about the 11 oclock position so it doesn't poke me in the leg while riding. Should it be near verticle instead?

MikeG said:

Kicks over fine, never slips. As far as position, I put it back on so that it sits at about the 11 oclock position so it doesn't poke me in the leg while riding. Should it be near verticle instead?

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I don't know exacly where is proper, if there is such a thing, but mine is somewhat forward due to rearsets. It seems to be a give and take issue for you (along with the rest of us).

MikeG said:

Kicks over fine, never slips. As far as position, I put it back on so that it sits at about the 11 oclock position so it doesn't poke me in the leg while riding. Should it be near verticle instead?

Click to expand...

The ratchet mechanism shouldn't take more than around 20 degrees of lever movement from the stop before it engages-regardless of where the lever is positioned on the shaft.

L.A.B. said:

MikeG said:

Kicks over fine, never slips. As far as position, I put it back on so that it sits at about the 11 oclock position so it doesn't poke me in the leg while riding. Should it be near verticle instead?

Click to expand...

The ratchet mechanism shouldn't take more than around 20 degrees of lever movement from the stop before it engages-regardless of where the lever is positioned on the shaft.

Click to expand...

I have about 70 degrees before engagement so I'll assume further action is in the near future.
Thanks All

MikeG said:

Kicks over fine, never slips. As far as position, I put it back on so that it sits at about the 11 oclock position so it doesn't poke me in the leg while riding. Should it be near verticle instead?

Click to expand...

I have mine so it pokes you in the back of the leg. I just push it out of the way after I take off.
Sounds to me that your spring under the pawl may be broken and only engages when gravity allows it to engage.
Pull it and see. While you are ordering parts, get extra gaskets and an extra clutch cable.