Kick Starter

[mishamouse]

Hi Guys,
This is my first 77 wing, so don't laugh too hard ok. While removing the side covers, I discovered a kick starter leaver.
Question? Where does it attach to the bike? Do you need to replace the starter with a something to use it?
Thanks from Evergreen, Co.

[CYBORG]

on the rear of the engine there is a place that the lever fits into. it points outward. it will allow you to stand on the side of the engine and use your foot to push down, and start the engine. often if they are not used for a long while they will be stuck.

[wingless1]

it plugs into a receptacle on the back of the engine near the generator/clutch area. There should be a rubber plug about where your left ankle would be when riding. Pull the plug, plug in the kicker, make sure you're in neutral, and kick. Have never used mine in earnest, but did try it out to see if it works, and it did (but mine didn't spring back up, have to pull it up to re-kick)--it's a great way to advance the engine when doing valve/ignition timing work.
guess cyborg beat me to it-oh well, shows how helpful and accomodating we all are:)

[CYBORG]

your explanation was better then mine wingless . but i haven't had my coffee yet this morning

[northwood]

Can see it here.

http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5671

[lcallison]

If your bike is in a good state of tune, it is useable. I spent about 2 weeks using mine when the starter was out of commission. It's kind of awkward to use though. When I first got my 76 running in 2005, I started it with the kick starter.

[brokentoe]

Do you need to replace the starter with a something to use it?

No.

I used mine once yesterday because my starter was tired after all the stops I was making. Mine, and quite a few others from what I've heard, is reluctant ...sort of catches ...when you first push down on it. I just give it a sort of quick sharp punch down with my foot, or heel of my hand, to get it past that catching point. Then as I push down repeatedly I don't let it travel all the way to the top...to the sticking point...until the engine is running.

I've been told that when manufacturers began using an electric start the public was skeptical about not having a kick start, so having both an electric start and a kick starter was a concession to the customers.

[Toehead]

Mine works surprisingly well! It always gets some looks when I use a kickstarter on a 1000 CC bike.

[bladredhead]

kickstarter is also super handy for setting timing, and valves and clearing liquid gas out of your cylinders when you forget to shut the petcock off and a float valve decides that 35 years is long enough to complete a career. be sure to remove the spark plugs first if you get a similarly lazy float valve