Still Kickin at 70

Dave Swanson

Dave Swanson

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70 isn't that ancient, but I feel lucky to still have a body sound enough to kick my Commando. Right hip replacement 3 years ago and a triple bypass 2 years ago. Feeling great and hope to keep kicking for awhile yet.

This picture was taken last night while I was in the act.

Still Kickin at 70
 
Many years ago I was chucked up the road from my brother's 200cc mini-bike. I was wearing moccasons on my feet, and I was not wearing a helmet. I was able to keep my head off the road, but my toe caught and twisted my leg. A piece of bone broke off inside my knee joint. A couple of years later I kickstarted my mate's 650 Bonneville and ended up on the ground. To get the piece of bone out, the surgeons removed one cartilege, then turned me over and got it out attached to the other cartilege. I can still kick-start a bike - but I don't.
'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' - I have had a double by-pass op, 3 strokes and a carotid artery clearance - so I am brand new again. I have raced 3 times since I had the ops. My wife has told me I can race again with one proviso. If I crash, I am not allowed to be injured - I must die. Should I carry a revolver when I race ? I think she has out-smarted me. I am 82 - the last time I raced I was in my early 70s, and still good enough. There is more effort required in driving my car, than racing a motorcycle.
My problem is I can still remember what is like to road race - It is the lovelyest thing anyone can ever do.
 
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I have built my Norton for easy start first time every time even with the hi compression motor, the longer T160 folding kicker, the Joe Hunt magneto with its big spark for easy starting, well tuned carbs, and have the kick start knack after 48+ years have it down pat, the first kick for the day is the biggest swing on the kicker after that I can kick it to life sitting on the seat, makes life a lot easier at 65 years old and good health.
I also have my Thruxton 1200 with push button start so have best of both worlds, but being retired for 10 years now the bike outings are less no longer an everyday out on the bikes as I use too when working, but still paying off my last speeding fine first one in years and have they gone up, fuc king revenue raising bastards.
Making your Norton work for you not the other way round lol and I never kick it on the stand, but owning and building my Norton since new it's easy for me but it's the ones who are new to Norton's that have troubles with kicking them to life not having the kick start knack who fine it so hard, I could never afford an electric start for my Norton, + it would make my light weight hotrod too heavy running the ES and a big battery to power it, I share my dirt bike small battery for running my brake light and head light when needed, but I have my Thruxton for night rides, I don't need a battery to start my Norton.
There is no way I am going to give up riding and hopefully that be a lot longer yet, I am planning to be around too at lease 105 and hopefully still kicking the Norton over, I have owned my Norton since I was 17 and I still ride my CRF450X dirt bike and haven't changed my riding style to suite my age lol, bikes make me feel young and put these younger whipper snappers too shame lol.
Ride hard and fast, take risks but do it smarter and don't get caught and keep your eye open to everything that's going on around you as everyone on the road is out to get us and never think about crashing as that is where things will happen and only travel on the major roads when you have too, more fun up in the twisties and back roads.
Enjoy it while you can.

Ashley
 
I'm still only 66 and always kick - the long RGM kicker is a great help as Matt fitted gapless rings.
I give Matt's e-start a press at least once a month to check that it still works.
It'll be handy when I can't kick anymore.
Cheers
 
When I was very young,I kick-started a 1000cc Vincent which was on 13 to 1 comp. It was no problem, but I pushed the piston well up towards TDC before I sent it over the top, with the kick. Some guys go at things like a bull at a gate and get bitten. With everything on a motorcycle, there is always a safe method. When I race, I am probably OK as a rider - but it is not me who is fast - it is the bike. It does what it needs to do. My experience helped me to set it up, but some things are just dumb luck. I think it is silly to trust a motorcycle.
 
How long has it been since you kicked over a bike Al and a Norton at that, we aren't talking about Vincent with 13 to 1 comp and we use common sense to kick our bikes over and you don't even kick your Norton over you use a roller starter and how long ago was that.
 
I see from the photo you are kicking whilst on the side stand. Only do that if out and upon bad ground. Centre stand less likely to snap off. Yes, I know that one is supposed to start it off BOTH
stands but attenuated body mass and old age preclude that. :-(
 
Onder said:
I see from the photo you are kicking whilst on the side stand. Only do that if out and upon bad ground. Centre stand less likely to snap off. Yes, I know that one is supposed to start it off BOTH
stands but attenuated body mass and old age preclude that. :-(
Click to expand...
...he's out and about and upon bad ground - okay? ;) ;)
 
ashman said:
How long has it been since you kicked over a bike Al and a Norton at that, we aren't talking about Vincent with 13 to 1 comp and we use common sense to kick our bikes over and you don't even kick your Norton over you use a roller starter and how long ago was that.
Click to expand...
Too long. I am beginning to think again, but I still have too much grief. This forum helps me. When I read the posts, I feel better. I kicked-started bikes for years. When CB750s started racing, all races were push-start. However the idiots used to strart pushing and immediately push the button. The result was - the races became clutch start - (crap). Clutch starts can destroy Norton gearboxes - that was my fear the last time I raced.
I don't know why the guys fuss about kickstarting a bike. If the tuning is right,the bike should start first kick, every time.
The problem might be - Nortons are not Japanese bikes which are made for midgets. When I kickstart a bike, I am usually astride the seat. With a race bike, I run and jump on side-saddle, then step over while it is mobile on full throttle.
 
Your compression ratio has a bit to do with it too. My Enfield twin is much easier to start compared
the Commando.
I just cannot bear the thought of adding more weight to a bike with the E-start stuff. If I was younger I'd
sell the 850 and start over using the Ludwig approach. I'm not so will keep on with what I have until I
hand up the helmet.
 
Onder said:
Your compression ratio has a bit to do with it too. My Enfield twin is much easier to start compared
the Commando.
I just cannot bear the thought of adding more weight to a bike with the E-start stuff. If I was younger I'd
sell the 850 and start over using the Ludwig approach. I'm not so will keep on with what I have until I
hand up the helmet.
Click to expand...
I hate the extra weight of a starter !!
Everything is lightweight on my commando
Wheels,yokes belt primary etc etc
 
Pushing 74 here.
Dave Swanson said:
70 isn't that ancient, but I feel lucky to still have a body sound enough to kick my Commando. Right hip replacement 3 years ago and a triple bypass 2 years ago. Feeling great and hope to keep kicking for awhile yet.

This picture was taken last night while I was in the act.

View attachment 113768
Click to expand...
Still kicking mine at 73.

Still Kickin at 70


And yes I kick from the side stand too.
 
Onder said:
Your compression ratio has a bit to do with it too. My Enfield twin is much easier to start compared
the Commando.
I just cannot bear the thought of adding more weight to a bike with the E-start stuff. If I was younger I'd
sell the 850 and start over using the Ludwig approach. I'm not so will keep on with what I have until I
hand up the helmet.
Click to expand...
The cam grind has more to do with it than anything.
 
I'm 75 this year vertically challenged and shrinking, 10.5st, right leg worn out through injuries etc forced to kick with my left leg. It has been a struggle but determined not to give in.
Last year I fitted a JS01 cam and follower kit and bu**er me the bloody thing starts so easily.
Thankyou Jim Schmitt.
 
cash said:
I'm 75 this year vertically challenged and shrinking, 10.5st, right leg worn out through injuries etc forced to kick with my left leg. It has been a struggle but determined not to give in.
Last year I fitted a JS01 cam and follower kit and bu**er me the bloody thing starts so easily.
Thankyou Jim Schmitt.
Click to expand...
Due to the cam grind, back in the '80s, I was able to hand start my 86 cu in Panhead stroker that had 10.5:1 static compression.

Won lots of bar bets until everyone got wise.
 
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