Need Kick starter Bad! Possibly 2!!

[clobe26]

I have 2 XS1100's i bought for $100. totally neglected & has seen better days. If anyone has any for my '78's I'm willing to purchase them right away! & Please be frugal with price.

[Silent]

Emergency kick starter or a folding kick starter? Did you look at the (hidden) mounting location to see if the emergency kickers are there?

[clobe26]

I actually need the folding kick starters. Since i'm fairly "new" to this forum....where can i find the emergency kick starters? Bare in mind i bought of of these projects for $100. Cheers!

[Silent]

Look above your kick start shaft, there should be a wing nut holding on a metal bracket. The kicker is behind the bracket. At least that's where it is on my '79 Special. If you want a folding one, you'll have to get one from an XS850 and do a little modifications to the shift shaft to get it to bolt on and stay on. On the bright side, shouldn't need to do anything else to the internals of the '78s to use a folding kicker.

FWIW, I have the XS850 folding kicker on my '79 Special

[clobe26]

Silent,

Thanks Brother! I'll check em once i get home. I'll post up pics if i have any trouble! Thanks again! Cheers!

[CatatonicBug]

The emergency kick-start lever is mounted on the underside of the battery box. Really though, it's only for emergencies, and should not be used as your primary means of starting the bike. If the battery is not strong enough to start the bike, it probably won' last long on the road, and you'll be left stranded. The alternator is not very strong on these things, and only barely makes enough juice to keep things running. It will not charge the battery if it's below a certain level as well.

If the bike won't start with the electric starter, get a new battery.

[clobe26]

Well guys....it turns out, the lever isn't there, so i guess that wouldn't be an option. These bikes had no kick levers to begin with so i guess its off for "The Hunt"! I really didn't want to have a push start only because i just love the "Kick Start Method" but if i have no other options...I guess i can rewire a universal one. Thanks again guys!

[Silent]

There's a kick starter for a '79 on FleaBay right now, including the mounts for about $20 230376782272 If that doesn't pan out, I've got one sitting in a box around here somewhere. I don't have any spare mounts tho.

[clobe26]

Thanks Silent...i actually have that on my watching list now. I also called Johnson & Wood (In my area LA. CA) & they said they have a few XS850 kick starters that might fit....so its a waiting game.

[Silent]

I've got the XS850 on mine and it works fine. There was a bit of a clearance issue with my Dyna pipes, but a little patience, a few well placed dowel pins, and a good machinest vice set that straight.

If it don't fit, force it! If it brakes it needed replacement anyway

Ok, you might not want to force to hard

[clobe26]

Silent....well turns out i lost the ebay hunt. But i managed to go to a local wrecking yard & found an original kick start lever still on the frame!! Anxiously got home & tried to kick start it....turns out...i think the motor is frozen...damn it. My need rebuilding....Anyone know of a fellow Forum member who does Complete engine rebuilds? Let me know! I'm located in Los Angeles, CA ....locally would be ideal but if i have to crate it...I will. I can't let my "Ol' Betsy" die.

[MindWebs]

Read through this and give it a shot.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ghlight=seized

Good luck

[clobe26]

Read through this and give it a shot.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ghlight=seized

Good luck

Thanks MindWebs.....I actually read that thru & thru....so far i let "Marvel Mystery Oil" sit since sunday & will try to hand-crank it tomorrow. If that doesn't work....my next home brew is PB Blaster & ATF....or Acetone & ATF....the Options are limitless!

[oldyam80sg]

If the battery voltage is low the kick start lever wont help anyway!