MK3 kickstart lever info

I know the differences between the newer MK3 kickstart lever and the previous levers has been discussed before and I've seen the photos where the two are compared, especially with respect to their clearance of the exhaust, but......were any newer style levers, that is those having more exhaust clearance when kicking (as the MK3 is said to have), ever made without the spring loaded detent?

I've got a 11/73 Roadster, bought new in England, which seems to be a sort of hybrid relative to certain equipment the MK2A was said to have, but one thing it definitely came with was the black plastic airbox and the black cap silencers. The kickstart doesn't have the spring loaded end but seems to extend outward from the gearbox fairly far (although contact with the muffler is a fine line of adjustment).

Since I don't have definite examples of the two to compare with mine, and the photos I've seen don't give useful measurements, I'm just wondering that I can be sure I have the older kickstarter since it has no spring loaded end on it. It's of concern right now since I've got the gearbox apart and neither the splines on my kickstart shaft nor my lever is perfect. If I could be sure that my lever is the older style, I'd spring for a new shaft and MK3 lever to take advantage of that kickstarter's built in clearance from the muffler.

The photos show my existing lever. The height to the spindle edge is almost exactly 3.5". If I know this is the standard dimension of the older lever it answers my question. Thanks.

VintAge said:

I know the differences between the newer MK3 kickstart lever and the previous levers has been discussed before and I've seen the photos where the two are compared, especially with respect to their clearance of the exhaust, but......were any newer style levers, that is those having more exhaust clearance when kicking (as the MK3 is said to have), ever made without the spring loaded detent?

Click to expand...

Yes, it appears that the 850 Mk1A/2A kickstart lever was the same basic shape as the Mk3 lever but did not have the detent ball and spring.

The 1A/2A kickstart assembly and K/S crank part numbers are different to the Mk3 and the ball and spring are listed for the Mk3 but not listed in either the 1A or 2A model parts supplements therefore it seems likely the 1A/2A levers did not have the detent ball & spring, I believe it is possible to modify a 1A/2A lever to take the ball and spring without necessarily going to the expense of buying a complete new Mk3 lever assembly.

Thanks, L.A.B., that would certainly make sense since the body of the black cap type silencer requires more clearance than a peashooter would. It's what I was hoping. My kickstart lever is certainly serviceable and, though it has no spring loaded detent, I see how that could be added although it is in good shape and I have no problem with the kickstart pedal moving out from its "rest" position during riding.

I think I'll just change out the shaft (along with all the other gearbox -$$$- items necessary!) and reuse the lever. Thanks again!