Kickstart question

So when I take off in 1st and give it a gutfull, kick starter arm does its thing i.e. goes down as if u kicked it.
Im pretty sure this ain't "desirable"
Any ideas?
Dkt

Usual answer to this is that the layshaft ball bearing in the gearbox is on the way out, and showing you its about to quit - possibly bigtime, with a gearbox lockup or worse.
There is a roller bearing all the usual Dealers can supply as an upgrade.

Nortons really musta been in a rush to get these things out the door, and not done any reliability testing ? Thats crankshaft bearings AND bearings in the gearbox that have been underspecified from new, whoever did the design/purchasing can't have read the bearings specs sheet ??
Easy to be wise with 20/20 hindsight, ain't it ?!

Rohan wrote,

Usual answer to this is that the layshaft ball bearing in the gearbox is on the way out, and showing you its about to quit - possibly bigtime, with a gearbox lockup or worse.

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Rohan, athough I think you are essentially correct, I've replaced my layshaft bearing with the "Mick Hemmings" bearing (can't remember off hand it's designation) and my kickstart occasionally tips backwards slightly when I give her the beans off the line in first gear I'm not worried because I've replaced the bearing.....but should I be?

Yeah me too,
I've done the lays haft bearing bout 12 mths or less than 3000 miles ago. I replaced it when I snapped the mainshaft.

Reggie said:

my kickstart occasionally tips backwards slightly when I give her the beans off the line in first gear I'm not worried because I've replaced the bearing.....but should I be?

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I think there can be other possibilities if it only occurs when in 1st gear.

L.A.B. said:

I think there can be other possibilities if it only occurs when in 1st gear.

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Like 1st gear on the layshaft rubbing against something in the kickstarter system ?

Are there any instructions for endfloat on the layshaft with installing these bearings ?
(ie minimum endfloat ?).

L.A.B. said:

Reggie said:

my kickstart occasionally tips backwards slightly when I give her the beans off the line in first gear I'm not worried because I've replaced the bearing.....but should I be?

Click to expand...

I think there can be other possibilities if it only occurs when in 1st gear.

Click to expand...

Mine does it whenever I use most of the torque from a standstill. I've been through the trans, raller LS bearing, etc. My theory is, the first gear set is at the right end of the shafts, where the layshaft is BUSHED and not suspended with a bearing. At zero RPM the torque applied easily pushes through the lubricant and causes the bushing, which is housed in the kicker shaft to tend to rotate. I'm running a 22T sprocket which adds to the problem. I've read all about the "dropping kicker" being the sign of impending layshaft bearing disaster, but feel there can, in this case, be TWO situations that can cause the same symptom. A failing layshaft bearing can cause misalignment enough to do the same thing. Gentlemanly treatment of the transmission is always a good idea. Just my .02 :mrgreen:

I also lose first at about 5000rpm sometimes. Bit of a pain as I tend to accelerate waiting to try and snatch a quick second when it jumps out.
If you had a lays haft bush fitted, how do you assess when it should be replaced? In short, how can I tell if this is a lays haft warning or something else keeping in mind I have replaced the bearing with the updated bearing.
Regards
Dkt

Check your endplay. If you used the superblend and shimmed to the tight side then it could have gotten tight as things like gaskets squeeze and covers set.

If end play is lost or barely there the end of the kickshaft hits the 1st gear lay and in ture, presses the bearing shoulder into the rollers.

I simply do not like the layshaft floating around in there.

If you use a good ball bearing then nevermind. You may have a bushing issue somewhere.

Mine would do that too. I checked the 1st gear and the bushing was all chewed up and I am assuming due to side pressure.
I would replace the bushing in the kick start shaft and the 1st gear bushing and the problem went away for a time.
I am thinking it is more due to the 1st gear and 2nd gear dogs and holes being worn causing the 1st gear to exert pressure as it tries to slip out.
The dogs needed to be under cut and the holes to be cleaned up to match the angle of the dogs so they will lock in which eliminated the side pressure.
No problems since. It seemed obvious that was the problem when you can see how worn it was.
Check yours.

so how do you ubdercut the dogs? ive heard it mentioned but im a visual person. Do you or anyone have a picture or could you please explain to me what the "undercutting" is?
Cheers

thank you very much kind sir!!!!!!!!!!