next »

[ace.cafe]

E start as a marketing requirement? You're probably right, kinda reminds me of the marketing requirement of putting automatic transmissions in sports cars.

I had thought of going kick only, but if I end up putting the big bore kit on it, I may have to use the easy button.

You should be having no trouble kick starting your bike.
They can be started with the push of a hand on the kickstart lever, and there are videos on YouTube that show people doing it.

Are you using your decompressor to get the piston past the compression stroke before you kick it?.

[luoma]

Maybe I need to work on my technique Ace. I usually get it about halfway through the range of the lever, then jump on it. It still feels like it's all the way advanced right from the beginning. I could never imagine starting it with my hand unless I was the incredible hulk.

[ace.cafe]

Maybe I need to work on my technique Ace. I usually get it about halfway through the range of the lever, then jump on it. It still feels like it's all the way advanced right from the beginning. I could never imagine starting it with my hand unless I was the incredible hulk.

Luoma,
Watch this 30 second video of starting a Bullet, and you'll be shocked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFEbXSw5MLU

[scoTTy]

i don't have that much muscles

[Tiny Tim]

ScotTTy,

the man in the Video is a close friend of mine and I can ssure you, he has no muscles either. In fact, he has a back problem to go with it!

It's not strength but adherence to a procedure and a well kept bike. (tuning, clean plug etc etc.)

The point is that if you can get the piston to just the right place in the cycle with the fuel, right choke and a good spark, it wants to start.

This is not easy with the Electra and its absence of a proper decompressor.

I can only kick with my left peg due to arthritis in my right hip.

That's why I went for the option of a RELAIBLE electric start bike.

[UncleErnie]

Earl showed me what to do- and it's easy!  I was shocked.
So, now I kick it in the AM when it's cold, and E-start the rest of the time.
It helps to put the lever in the 10 or 11:00 position, too- so you can get it past the TDC easier.

[Retroman]

Sorry to hear that Men!

I feel like I could be next, even that I am avoiding using the Estart specially when first started after a few days of storage or in cold days. 
  I tried to use my Manpower as much as possible but when I kick-start the bike sometimes the lever slips of before the pressure cycle is finish.    it is like winding an old clock that has a missing tooth in the spring mechanism and I have to restart the winding. Is this normal? is this one of the symptoms? I am next? and how far I am from that?

What a dilemma,  I am in love with my bike,  there is no other one like it. But  maybe a love affair with a Bonnie will be the solution here?

[1Blackwolf1]

  The skip in your kick start has nothing to do with the sprag.  The kick start pawl inside the trans is doing that.  Probably has a chipped tooth/dull edge like mine.  I'll change mine when it goes out completely.  Will.

[ace.cafe]

  The skip in your kick start has nothing to do with the sprag.  The kick start pawl inside the trans is doing that.  Probably has a chipped tooth/dull edge like mine.  I'll change mine when it goes out completely.  Will.

Right.
A kickstart pawl is about 5 bucks.
If a new spring is needed to go with it, that's another couple of bucks.
A half hour to get it changed and back on the road, at most.
It could be done on the roadside, if necessary.
Hardly a crisis.

[1Blackwolf1]

  Little harder on a 5 speed Ace you have to pull the cam plate as well.  I think on the 4 speed it's right under the trans housing.  Wish it were like that on the 5 speed box.  Will.