Kick Starter

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:33 pm

After the first day my kick start won't work but the electric will. I took it to my dealer and he did the first service and fixed the kick start that lasted a day but now it doesn't work again. How do you fix it?

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:53 pm

What do you mean it doesn't work?

Is it hard to push down? Do you keep kicking it over and nothing happens? How hard are you kicking it? Are you using the choke?

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 10:29 pm

I keep kicking it and nothing happens. Choke in/out doesn't matter...

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 10:52 pm

The question is....can you see the flywheel turning while pressing the starter pedal.....are you feeling resistance or does it feel as though the pedal is not attached to anything?

Rob

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:17 am

Does the pedal spring back when you release it?

My first guess is that the spring on the intermediate shaft (Christmas tree) that pushes the kickstart idler gear onto the first intermediate gear broke. It's a cheap part, but it requires cracking the engine cases to replace it.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:02 am

Just to rule out the easiest thing, you aren't squeezing the clutch while trying to kickstart are you?

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:25 am

Woops Silly me! I guess he did fix it proper. But it wasn't working before I took it in....

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:23 am

I'm pretty sure that's a right of passage with the Stella.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:33 am

Score one for Stitch! Glad it was a simple and wallet-friendly solution!

P.S., it's not just a Stella thing, I've done that with the P when I forgot which bike I was on. The other one to look out for it trying to kick it over when it's in gear. Hope you're sitting on it if/when that one happens.

Mea culpa on both counts. Shifties don't let you become inattentive.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:04 am

At first when the dealer tried it he actually broke the kick lever. But thanks you all for helping me figure out what I did wrong....

MrChet · Post by **MrChet** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:16 pm

I've done it too...which hurts a lot when you just had a gout attack and you smash your foot on the garage floor due to the lack of resistance.

Side effect of multi-scoot syndrome for sure...and getting OLD.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:53 pm

az_slynch wrote:The other one to look out for it trying to kick it over when it's in gear. Hope you're sitting on it if/when that one happens.

You know, I've never used the kick starter whilst sitting on the bike.

Good thing I always look to see that the neutral light is on before bringing my foot anywhere near the kick starter.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:01 pm

gar1013 wrote: You know, I've never used the kick starter whilst sitting on the bike.

Good thing I always look to see that the neutral light is on before bringing my foot anywhere near the kick starter.

I believe that the UK requirement for licensing on a geared scooter is that the rider is astride the bike when they kick it over to prevent a runaway scooter. While I'm not bound by UK regs here in Arizona, I do it regularly as I can lean the bike left when I kick it. That allows me to put more force down on the starting lever and kick a longer starting stroke, as the lever is not interrupted by ground contact.

Good point on the neutral light. It is a handy reminder, so long as the battery is good and the bulb hasn't burnt out.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:49 pm

az_slynch wrote:[ believe that the UK requirement for licensing on a geared scooter is that the rider is astride the bike when they kick it over to prevent a runaway scooter. While I'm not bound by UK regs here in Arizona,

In the UK, they also think that pie should be filled with something other than delicious fruit, and call every dessert a pudding, even if it's not pudding. They also drink their beer warm, and have been known to boil meat and veg until all the flavor is gone.

(my wife is a Brit, and I do love taking the piss regarding their food...mother in law is considered a bad cook by English standards)

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:53 pm

az_slynch wrote:The other one to look out for it trying to kick it over when it's in gear. Hope you're sitting on it if/when that one happens.

Oh man, Yeah does that suck. I hate it when I go to start the bike while next to it and it's in gear. Nothing like having it come off the stand when you propel it forward with the kicker!