Odd Kick Lever

Anglophile · Oct 8, 2010

Hey all, I can't seem to identify the origin of my kick lever. Every single Commando kick lever I have seen has a bolt-on pedal. Mine is held on by a pin. It has a spring and ball like the late style but even those have bolt-on pedals. It's functional none the less but what year or bike could this have come from? Thanks.

kommando · Oct 8, 2010

The NOC Commando Notes have a few words on this, their guess was that these pin top kickstarts were patterns/copies made in Italy so its an aftermarket one not factory fitted. I have one in my stash of worn out kickstart levers.

BrianK · Oct 8, 2010

It looks shorter than stock, in terms of vertical rise. Perhaps just the photo angle?

Anglophile · Oct 9, 2010

The kick lever is 8 1/4" tall. I assume it is the same size and bend as an original. It seems odd to me that reproductions were being made back in the '70s. If I run into some cash I may upgrade to the extended fold-out lever.

Ron L · Oct 9, 2010

It was often as hard to get parts in the '70's as it is today. The chrome lifted on one of my exhaust pipes on my '73 after about a week. The dealer waited six weeks for a replacement from Norton and finally offered me an aftermarket pipe after I got pissed. The bend was slightly different, but I was probably the only one who noticed.

As far as kickers go, a number of guys let the pinch bolt back off and ruined the splines.

T.C. · Oct 9, 2010

Anglo -

This one was on my '74, the bike had about 800 miles on it when I bought it '75, so I think it was original to the bike.

I've been told recently that it was an Italian replacement; it may well be Italian, but I don't think it was a replacement. The bike was pristine when I bought it, but the Yamaha dealer where I got it didn't know anything about the history. All he could tell me was the PO was scared of it.

BillT · Oct 11, 2010

If you pull the kickstart rubber off, there should be a number stamped or cast into the pin. That may give you an idea as to the source.

The one that came on mine was cast RS 051 - meaning it was a Racing Spares item.

Anglophile · Oct 11, 2010

BillT said:
If you pull the kickstart rubber off, there should be a number stamped or cast into the pin.

I did have the rubber off to clean up the lever but no number on the pedal. Interestingly the rubber has ENGLAND stamped into it twice and by the condition appears to be 30+ years old.