Kickstarter install for an SG?

[sam_cg_cook]

Hey, guys...

I was wondering if any of you could walk me through installation of a kickstarter for a 1980 special... the starter that I have is from a 1978

that's the pic of it...

I haven't yet pulled the plug out of mine... so I'm not sure if this is a bolt on deal or what...

Any info?

Thanks,

[sixtysix]

Ha! good Luck, there is 10 or 12 missing pieces inside that cover as well, you better have a donor bike before attempting this. i was gonna do the same thing till I got inside one. Sorry, don't know of anyone who has done it.

[RiskyBusiness]

That's odd that the later models are missing internal pieces. I could just slap that kick lever right on to my 79 special (or so it appears). I have a nice rusty shaft sticking out where the kick starter would go. I presume only 78 and 79 have this?

[Ron Moss]

I have a '79 special and would like to have a kick start lever just to get everything as close to orignal as possible. The only things not original are the missing kickstarter and the seat is a mustang with the built in padded sissy bar,back rest. Any one wat to part with a kickstarter let me know.

[fusionking]

Hey guys did you know that kicker isn't a part that you bolt on and ride with it everyday. It's missing the swivel on the foot part plus it's really short and ugly! I don't think it would be very safe riding with it installed. Sort of an emergancey deal that YAMAHA gave you with the bike and I guess nobody needed them so they dropped them altogether. (I.M.H.O. that is)

[RiskyBusiness]

Yeah I figured in an emergency I would just point it down hill and pop the clutch. Lord knows I don't want to kick it on a regular basis.

[sam_cg_cook]

Ron,

If you are looking for just the lever... you can currently find it on eBay... here =====> 1978 XS KickStarter LINK

[uk1.1s]

kickstart internals

There's definitely nothing inside my engine (Euro market '82 vintage) that the kickstart engages with - these later engines with the blanking plug had all the mechanism taken away.

I think the earlier models has a rubber 'top-hat' shape cover over the splined shaft which came through the cover (with an oil seal of course). Most of these covers have probably long gone these days. Rule of thumb - no shaft through the cover (and blanking plug instead) then not easy to install a kickstart.

My plan B, when needed, used to be to run along side and pop the clutch in 2nd gear once enough speed had built up. After once nearly loosing the bike as it took off at 4000revs with me still running beside I decided this wasn't too bright.

Plan C was the same with a jump onto the seat before letting out the clutch. Plan D soon followed (new starter relay from an 90's XJ900 - straight fit).

Plan E is to make sure the damn bike will be more reliable! - particularly as I'm not as fit as I was in Plan B days