Thank you.

This place is fantastic... and I'll do my part by trying to be smarter and look more on the Web.

I'll take the solenoid off and visit some auto parts stores and look for something similar.

I will concentrate on getting the the thing running well by kick starting first (I have a bad right leg from some earlier motorcycle excapades, and if I can't get that worked out, I'll probably have to sell it and get a new 961 [just sent my $500 deposit on a contract]).

I don't have the Mikuni's on it yet, and I hope to get it running well on the Amals first.

Thank you all again.

Rocketdock, I always kick start mine on the centre stand, although this is supposed to put a strain on the mounting, but I am not a particularly big chap and it's the easiest and in fact only way I can overcome the compression and get the bike started. You can stand on a small crate or even a house brick to make it easier and you may be able to use this method to kick it with your left leg until you get the starter sorted. I also recommend that you fit the biggest battery that will physically go in to the bike when you go back to electric starting.

I always use the center stand too, it means all of the energy you use goes into the engine, on the side stand or freestanding part of your effort goes into compressing the suspension and so you need more effort for the same result.

Kommando, we Scots might be short arses but we're not stupid, after all who invented the railways, shipping, accountancy, deep-fried Mars bars and every other worthwhile thing in the civilised world?

Hi Dave, agreed but you are speaking to an Irishman, who talks with an english accent and now lives in Scotland and intends to stay here too. Good result on the rugby for Ireland last weekend, but especially liked how England were below Scotland in the final score table .

Hello kommando, You're speaking to a Scotsman with a sort of English accent who grew up in Hong Kong and intends to stay here. I had the privilege to spend a little time with the Irish Nobel laureat Seamus Heaney last week, so I am keeping up with our Celtic culture. Isn't this global village wonderful, whether it's Nortons or literature?

Rocketdoc, I just noticed that a recent posting about modifying starter motors has been refreshed on the site within the last couple of hours. I urge you to read this.

dave M said:

Kommando, we Scots might be short arses but we're not stupid, after all who invented the railways, shipping, accountancy, deep-fried Mars bars and every other worthwhile thing in the civilised world?

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I... acording to my father, a lad from Kilmarnock, the Scots are the only people fit to rule the world... and wouldnt you have it, that God made Scotts Whiskey, so they wouldn't.

Hey Rocketdoc, I work in Kilmarnock at the Glacier Vandervell factory, sure is a small world nowadays. Strange how I don't drink Whisky working in the town that blends and bottles Johnnie Walkers Red label or play golf when there is Royal Troon and Turnberry down the road.