Need work performed

Robert Shaw · Aug 24, 2025

I am not sure is this is permissible, but , today discovered that my friend for 25 years (73 850 Commando ) needs some serious work that I cant perform myself. It appears that the kick start (gear box area) has some serious issues. When trying to
kick same, at the 9:00 PM position it will frustratingly hardly move past that location, every time. When trying to perform a compression check on L cylinder your kick will stop at the ( 9:00pm position not able to fully perform the compression test. Went for a 50 mile ride just 3 days ago and ran GREAT, but, unreal to start, can't tell you the number of kicks!!!!! (Even after warm) but once started, runs great.
I live in the Cookeville TN area, not to far from Nashville. Does any member know a knowledgeable and reliable shop in that area that they could suggest, hopefully based upon their own experience. Thanks, Robert

2WheelsUp · Aug 24, 2025

Either Greg Marsh in VA or Leo Goff in Memphis. You might have to wait a bit but either would be good. Leo is more of a specialist on motors, but he is close to you. Greg might involve a trip to VA unless you can pull the gearbox yourself.

kommando · Aug 25, 2025

You likely have 2 issues, the extra kicks from the non starting has worn out the kickstart mechanism and the non starting is likely a contaminated pilot circuit. So gearbox and carb cleaning/tuning required.

marshg246 · Aug 25, 2025

Robert Shaw said:
I am not sure is this is permissible, but , today discovered that my friend for 25 years (73 850 Commando ) needs some serious work that I cant perform myself. It appears that the kick start (gear box area) has some serious issues. When trying to
kick same, at the 9:00 PM position it will frustratingly hardly move past that location, every time. When trying to perform a compression check on L cylinder your kick will stop at the ( 9:00pm position not able to fully perform the compression test. Went for a 50 mile ride just 3 days ago and ran GREAT, but, unreal to start, can't tell you the number of kicks!!!!! (Even after warm) but once started, runs great.
I live in the Cookeville TN area, not to far from Nashville. Does any member know a knowledgeable and reliable shop in that area that they could suggest, hopefully based upon their own experience. Thanks, Robert

As @2WheelsUp said, check with Leo. If that doesn't work, you're flexible enough, and can get it to the Johnson City area of TN, I might be able to get it a free ride to me and back.

A few caveats. I no longer "fix" wiring. If not good I re-wire from scratch. I don't try to make worn out carbs work properly, they get replaced. Parts are at my cost, and I determine what parts to change. The free ride to here would be when my stepson is coming to visit and back when he is later here and returning home.

It's also possible to ship a bike and if you take your time finding the right shipper, you can get it done for around $500 each way. https://www.uship.com/ship/vehicles/motorcycles-mopeds/create

Tornado · Aug 25, 2025

Sounds like the gearbox could use a full rebuild if never been done before. The origonal layshaft is something that really needs to be upgraded and this does mean a complete strip down of internals. Can be done with box in frame, doing all the seals, bearings the whole primary case needs to also come off.

Ive done my 850 gb rebuild on my parkade cement floor, following online videos and step by step guide articles. Was not terribly difficult, just akward and took a long time. There are rebuild kits of all the bearings, bushings, seals etc for the job...Andover Norton has them listed.

Need work performed

Robert Shaw

2WheelsUp

kommando

marshg246

Tornado

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