Using the kick starter

Scorpio1963

Scorpio1963

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RESOLVED..Using the kick starter

I dont know if Im just weak or what but I have the most difficult time using my kick starter.I can do it sometimes with no problem other times I just cant kick it over hard enough to turn the engine all the way over.It also depends on the surface of course.Most of the time though I just use my electric.Today I was kick starting and my foot slipped of the kick start peg and I dropped the dam bike on me doing some minor damage.I was pinned underneith the bike literaly but finaly got out from underneith it.I wasnt seriously hurt thank goodness but crap I felt like an idiot.So is there any particular way or stance I should use when attempting to do this that anyone wants to share?
 
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I usually stand on the left peg with the sidestand down when I kick mine, but I dont weight very much
 
I am 5'8 (68 inchs) I just left on ground, and hand turn out kick lever, (sometimes) and give mild jump up, for momentum downward. I try to do a slight press down, to make sure the gearing is actually working. Then with it on, I also make sure choke (enrichn'er) is on too.
 
man I wished for a kickstarter so many times in the past..

but now my carbs are clean and my battery fresh, I don't need it anymore
 
I weigh 165 lbs and don't have much trouble kicking either bike over. You just need to put your ass into it when you do it:thumbsup: If it's to hard or you have balance issues then stick with the e-start.
 
Mine's usually on the center stand. I don't even "jump" on the kicker to turn her over, I just stand there, and slowly push down. Starts on the first or second kick every time. So yeah, if you're having problems with it, I'd say something is wrong.
 
You kick start without the sidestand down? Not reccomened. As you kick down with one foot the other picks up. This lets the bike fall over.
Often it takes a certain technique to kick a bike over.
Usaully slowly pushing down on the kick lever untill you feel the bike come up on compressiion then just enough to get past TDC. Now lift your foot to let the kicker back up.
Now kick it like you mean it. Anything less and it won't kick and might even hurt you.
Leo
 
willem said:
man I wished for a kickstarter so many times in the past..

but now my carbs are clean and my battery fresh, I don't need it anymore
Click to expand...

The estart makes it easy forsure,I got spoiled to it.This is why I hardly ever used my kick start.Till yesterday the estart never gave me any problems.The only I could start it was with the kick start.I did have the side stand down when I was kicking it over.I cant rely on the electric my bike has no problem starting when its kicked usualy the 1st one and varoom.I have to get this down if Im going to ride.
 
Know a couple guys that were thrown from their bike while kick starting. One was on a Harley. I've never been thrown but have had a few backfires while kicking & sprained my left ankle. Yes Left kick and right shift. Old Bultaco!!
 
I remember those old Bultacos back in the day along with Indian.They were some of the most powerful dirt bikes back in thier day.The Indian I rode but it wasnt mine which I had no problem riding it was the stopping that was most difficult.I remember crashing into a family members porch cause It the clutch instead of the brakes LOL.
 
Well after watching some videos and putting my azz into the kick I got it down.Bitch (yes thats her name) wont start.Battery is dead,kicked bitch over about 20 times man what a work out!
 
Yup make sure battery is in good condition before attempting to kick start lol. Honestly after 10 tries, you shouldnt waste your energy continuing to kick it. Go back and check everything to make sure all is in working order. A well tuned bike should start in 1-3 kicks or at most under 5. If it needs more then its probably not gonna be road worthy. But thats all just my opinion. My 400 starts in 2-3 kicks, sometimes 4 and that was with dirty carbs, low battery and bad fuel. Im sure it'll do better after I'm done cleaning everything. My dirt bike on first kick sometimes 2 if I don't prime it correctly.
 

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