Norton kick start

I recently bought a 1970 Commander and the kick start hits the exhaust pipe by about 1/2 inch when starting. Someone mentioed to me that the later models had the kickstart out another 1/2 inch or so to give more clearance. Can any body confirm this for me or do I need to have the lever bent out 1/2 inch?

Thanks guys.

We need pictures before we can answer that.

Dave
69S

This may work, I think there are other options too. http://www.commandospecialties.com/Prod ... ProdID=173

Dave
69S

I use 1975 Elec start kick levers on my Nortons Thay clear just fine.

Phil

djoyce93 said:

I recently bought a 1970 Commander and the kick start hits the exhaust pipe by about 1/2 inch when starting. Someone mentioed to me that the later models had the kickstart out another 1/2 inch or so to give more clearance. Can any body confirm this for me or do I need to have the lever bent out 1/2 inch?

Click to expand...

Yes, the 850 (Mk1A, 2A?) Mk3 type kickstart lever has more exhaust clearance, however if your lever clashes with the exhaust by as much as 1/2 inch then it sounds as if there may be a problem with the way the exhaust is fitted or the lever is bent?

(A Norton Commander is a completely different model)

You might try loosening the exhaust nut at the engine and bring and hold the pipe in tight to the frame when re-tightening.
On that side, tightening the exhaust nut promotes the pipe to come out from the frame a little which is all it takes to cause interference.

By looking at the parts catalog I can tell the kickstart I have is definitely not original stock. Mine is curved all the way from the shaft to the lever.

djoyce93 said:

By looking at the parts catalog I can tell the kickstart I have is definitely not original stock. Mine is curved all the way from the shaft to the lever.

Click to expand...

Standard 061464 kickstart assembly.


121018 850 Mk3

YEA, LIKE THAT ONE!

Yeah the MK 111 kicker is nice and I use it on Crazy but the stock one is just fine , simply undo the exhaust nut and pipe to muffler clamp, push exhaust system in closer to the bike and tighten up good with proper wrenches. Ta-da should clear pipe on kickover. Get a good grade 8 bolt for kicker .

Torontonian said:

Get a good grade 8 bolt for kicker .

Click to expand...

So you found a grade 8 Toronto? Yeah, needs a flat washer under the bolt head to make sure it will tighten up good too. Don't be afraid to put some torque on it, there are plenty of threads in the kickstarter lever. Other thing is to relieve the hole where the bolt goes in, sometimes it binds when tightening because the thing bends.

Dave
69S

Hey there djoyce93, i'd have to echo getting a good grade bolt to tighten the kick start lever on the shaft with, otherwise you could risk stripping the splines, then you'd have something worse than the lever hitting the pipe to deal with. Cj

Yeah, Dave my local (GTA) industrial fastenings shop sold me 5 grade 8 bolts for a toonie in the palm after I went in nice n' cheerfully,no other customers.3/8 24x 1 1/2 fine thread yes with a flat washer. Power bar to it with a quality socket. Sloppy kicker issue over. Thanks to this forum.

I'll head into Ottawa Fasteners on Monday and pick some up, seeing as I'm not doing anything at work these days. Thanks for all the help. Do I need to buy a special wrench to loosen the exhaust nut?

djoyce93 said:

Do I need to buy a special wrench to loosen the exhaust nut?

Click to expand...

Yes, there are several variations. When you tighten it, take it for a ride and get a 3' extension and tighten it up hot, you don't need to use all 3' but make sure it's tighter than with just a 9 or 12" handle. The long extension will let you feel the tightening. Wouldn't hurt to get a couple new exhaust washers too.

Oh, if you have the old exhaust nuts, they only have 2 places where you can grab on it. Get a bronze set from Walridge, they have 3 places to grab on. The bronze helps keep it tight too.

Dave
69S

Complements of old britts:



Commando Kickstart Arms
Kickstart Arm Comparisons :

The Mk3 kickstart arm sticks out farther from the bike, providing more clearance between the kickstart and the muffler. In this picture the MK3 arm is on the right. The other advantage of the Mk3 kickstart arm over the pre-MK3 arm is the MK3 arm has a spring loaded detent to hold the pedal in the shut or open positions.



The MK3 arm is also on the right in this picture.


This picture shows that you gain about .8" more clearance with the MK3 kickstart arm.
Spring Loaded Pedal:




This picture shows the MK3 spring loaded pedal, ball bearing and spring along with the end of the MK3 arm showing where the ball recesses are drilled. If you wanted to upgrade your Pre-Mk3 kickstart arm to have a spring loaded pedal, the above picture should help in drilling the recesses.

Current Prices:
Prices are current as of 11/18/11.


Pre-MK3 kickstart arm (part # 06-1055, $177.93)
MK3 kickstart arm (part # 06-6397, $163.80)
MK3 kickstart pedal (part # 06-6398, $65.93)
MK3 kickstart detent ball bearing (part # 06-6400, $0.42)
MK3 kickstart detent spring (part # 06-6399, $4.61)
Old Britts Home Page….. Gearbox, Kickstart, Gear pedal

This page was written and designed by F. H. Eaton & Associates. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at info@fheaton.com

Nice to see the comparisons now I wonder how best to drill them just short of too much. I grind the stops to let the peddle swing in enough to miss leg on factory foot pegs.