Am i brave enough??

[olympus]

As i now have the Alton ES kit fitted & tested, I'm asking the question, why do i need to retain the kick start??...i await the flak.
My reasoning..
1. If the battery is in good condition and maintained on a battery conditioner (tender) when ever its not used, so the battery should always be is a satisfactory SOC to turn it over.
2. I have read very little negative posts on the reliability of the Alton kit... other than plastic dowel shearing if the motor kicks back. and as long as the EI timing is correctly set (and it is) there shouldn't be an issue
3. With the std. kick start fitted & also having the Dunstall (Madass) rear sets fitted the gear change is a disaster as it has the negotiate around and over the kick start.
My thought is the remove the kickstart
By doing so i can modify/remanufacture the stainless Dunstall lever to hopefully achieve an actually usable shorter lever... well that's the theory anyway.,
I have fitted a proddy reversed lever and a T160 kick start, but for me with size 13 boots the angles are all wrong and the lever just digs into my boot, so having the lever pointing forward and pivoting on the same plane as the foot rest is the best option.
Another option on the table is to stow the kick start in the front of the battery carrier forward of the battery, along with a 9/16 spangoly and M6 Allen key to release the bolt through the gear linkage rose joint,

I would be interested to get some feedback on owners who have already removed their kick starts...... let the flak begin

 

[baz]

As i now have the Alton ES kit fitted & tested, I'm asking the question, why do i need to retain the kick start??...i await the flak.
My reasoning..
1. If the battery is in good condition and maintained on a battery conditioner (tender) when ever its not used, so the battery should always be is a satisfactory SOC to turn it over.
2. I have read very little negative posts on the reliability of the Alton kit... other than plastic dowel shearing if the motor kicks back. and as long as the EI timing is correctly set (and it is) there shouldn't be an issue
3. With the std. kick start fitted & also having the Dunstall (Madass) rear sets fitted the gear change is a disaster as it has the negotiate around and over the kick start.
My thought is the remove the kickstart
By doing so i can modify/remanufacture the stainless Dunstall lever to hopefully achieve an actually usable shorter lever... well that's the theory anyway.,
I have fitted a proddy reversed lever and a T160 kick start, but for me with size 13 boots the angles are all wrong and the lever just digs into my boot, so having the lever pointing forward and pivoting on the same plane as the foot rest is the best option.
Another option on the table is to stow the kick start in the front of the battery carrier forward of the battery, along with a 9/16 spangoly and M6 Allen key to release the bolt through the gear linkage rose joint,

I would be interested to get some feedback on owners who have already removed their kick starts...... let the flak begin

I have an Alton and never use the Kickstarter
I reckon stowing the lever away somewhere would be good, like the xs1100 yam with the Kickstarter clipped under the seat for emergencys

 

[Bonzo]

As i now have the Alton ES kit fitted & tested, I'm asking the question, why do i need to retain the kick start??...i await the flak.
My reasoning..
1. If the battery is in good condition and maintained on a battery conditioner (tender) when ever its not used, so the battery should always be is a satisfactory SOC to turn it over.
2. I have read very little negative posts on the reliability of the Alton kit... other than plastic dowel shearing if the motor kicks back. and as long as the EI timing is correctly set (and it is) there shouldn't be an issue
3. With the std. kick start fitted & also having the Dunstall (Madass) rear sets fitted the gear change is a disaster as it has the negotiate around and over the kick start.
My thought is the remove the kickstart
By doing so i can modify/remanufacture the stainless Dunstall lever to hopefully achieve an actually usable shorter lever... well that's the theory anyway.,
I have fitted a proddy reversed lever and a T160 kick start, but for me with size 13 boots the angles are all wrong and the lever just digs into my boot, so having the lever pointing forward and pivoting on the same plane as the foot rest is the best option.
Another option on the table is to stow the kick start in the front of the battery carrier forward of the battery, along with a 9/16 spangoly and M6 Allen key to release the bolt through the gear linkage rose joint,

I would be interested to get some feedback on owners who have already removed their kick starts...... let the flak begin

Yeah, ride it for a while without the KS and see how it goes? Can always try a bump/push start if it goes TU

 

[olympus]

Can always try a bump/push start if it goes TU

if i was 20 years younger or in my dreams maybe ....but im warming to taking it off

 

[Lineslinger]

I left my KS lever in place after adding an E-start.
If the E-start fails, for whatever reason, I have a backup mechanism in place to start the engine.

 

[olympus]

I left my KS lever in place after adding an E-start.
If the E-start fails, for whatever reason, I have a backup mechanism in place to start the engine.

With OE pegs, leaving either the standard or T160 kickstart is situ isn't an issue, but being 6ft 4 in with size 13 boots the rear sets gear change linkage just isn't working for me, so removal of the kick start altogether and manufacturing a gear lever to suit my physique is the best way forward

 

[Fast Eddie]

With OE pegs, leaving either the standard or T160 kickstart is situ isn't an issue, but being 6ft 4 in with size 13 boots the rear sets gear change linkage just isn't working for me, so removal of the kick start altogether and manufacturing a gear lever to suit my physique is the best way forward

I too struggled trying to incorporate the kickstart into my rearset arrangement in a satisfactory manner. So I removed it and have never looked back.

I have the excellent cNw e-start though.

 

[robs ss]

...and to counter that - even with my cNw e-start: https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/halfway-rearsets-anyone-2020.30103/post-563988

 

[YING]

Maybe Fast Eddie can post a picture of his beautiful machined plug he installed on his trans side cover.His is the nicest one I have seen.Myself I leave my kick arm on.
Mike

 

[YING]

Maybe Fast Eddie can post a picture of his beautiful machined plug he installed on his trans side cover.His is the nicest one I have seen.Myself I leave my kick arm on.
Mike

Sorry Nigel. I didn’t scroll down far enough to see your pictures.
Mike

 

[Onder]

I would leave it on if you could. It looks cool.

 

[ntst8]

I've had an Alton for 10+ years and have rearsets so the kick start lever is rotated well forward compared to stock, for shin clearance when riding.
Until recently i had almost forgotten how to use the kicker but on day 1 of a four day trip the bungs in the starter let go and i wasn't carrying spares - no backfire they just got tired. It would have been a long trip having to bump start. Kicking is no problem, just clutch in, move the kicker to a comforable spot, clutch out and kick.
For multi day trips i wouldn't be without a kicker, if only day rides or coffee runs then not so important.

 

[olympus]

I've had an Alton for 10+ years and have rearsets so the kick start lever is rotated well forward compared to stock, for shin clearance when riding.
Until recently i had almost forgotten how to use the kicker but on day 1 of a four day trip the bungs in the starter let go and i wasn't carrying spares - no backfire they just got tired. It would have been a long trip having to bump start. Kicking is no problem, just clutch in, move the kicker to a comforable spot, clutch out and kick.
For multi day trips i wouldn't be without a kicker, if only day rides or coffee runs then not so important.

Would it be possible for you to post some photos of you gear linkage & kick start arrangement

 

[ntst8]

Hi Olympus,

Apologies for the photo quality, had to use the flash as the garage lights are playing up

 

[olympus]

Hi Olympus,

Apologies for the photo quality, had to use the flash as the garage lights are playing up
View attachment 119203View attachment 119204

Many thanks. These are most helpful

 

[robs ss]

I would leave it on if you could. It looks cool.

And I use mine all the time - just give the e-start a press once every few weeks to see it still works well (it always does!)
The e-start is because I intend riding until I'm too old to kick.

 

[olympus]

And I use mine all the time - just give the e-start a press once every few weeks to see it still works well (it always does!)
The e-start is because I intend riding until I'm too old to kick.

Exactly my sentiment, my health isn't that brill at the mo & having the electric start make the bike a fully rideable whenever machine... and not only when I feel up to it

 

[nortonmargie]

I use the kicker to move the valves when I am tuning up the old beast. I am also in favor of a defense against the failure of the contingency plan.

 

[Onder]

You don't buy insurance in order to use it.

 

[grandpaul]

Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.