RGM belt drive

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Oct 28, 2014
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I have an 850 in an atlas frame. The motor is very hard to kick over and I am wondering if perhaps the belt drive is contributing. Possibly from the pulley dimensions? Just a theory. I have installed the MK3 kickstart lever which helped slightly. Everything turns freely. anybody run into this when installing the RGM belt drive? It is a good unit and no problems with it I am just wondering if it requires a bit more force to kick it over.
 
The only way the belt drive could have an effect is if it was too tight. If you have it too tight will break and then be too loose.
 
It has slack. I thought there might be a difference in pulley size which might affect the ratio between gearbox and front engine sprocket and maybe have an effect on the amount of pressure needed to kick it over. Just trying to rule out possibilities.
 
The motor is very new. Been kicking over Nortons for 40 years. I stand on the right side, bike on center stand, lever at 9 o'clock.
 
it depends on the ratio. a std. commando is 2.19-1 and the RGM is 2-1 for a commando. the overdrive of the RGM will make it slightly easier to kick. what is the ratio on your drive?
 
The motor is very new. Been kicking over Nortons for 40 years. I stand on the right side, bike on center stand, lever at 9 o'clock.

So 40 years the hard way.

Try this. Do this first on the center stand and you can soon move off the stand.

Straddle the bike. Use the kickstarter and find TDC, you’ll feel the pressure. Now push the Kickstarter slowly until you feel the pressure reduce. Bring the Kickstarter back to the top. Assuming your carb is prepped and ignition now on, kick through to the ground in one motion.

The weight of the pistons and the advantage of momentum will spin the engine.

Don’t get me wrong, getting past TDC with a fresh engine is not easy but in the end it’s easier than trying to kick past TDC.
 
it depends on the ratio. a std. commando is 2.19-1 and the RGM is 2-1 for a commando. the overdrive of the RGM will make it slightly easier to kick. what is the ratio on your drive?

+1

Slick
 
I have a Bob Newby clutch/belt systems for my 650ss and 500 single - the are both 2:1
 
Maybe with the fresh motor it might be a bit tight and needs time to loosen up a bit, has it been run much since the rebuild could also be to much oil on the pistons and rings when installed, my Norton is high compression motor and my piston to bore was very tight clearance as well final hone, it took a very long time to loosen up a bit, even today my mates can't kick it to life but I get it first kick every time, getting the knack right is very important if its a tight motor.

Ashley
 
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