emergency kickstart?

[BA80]

The only thing is that the casing that the emergency kickstart operates in has no bush or bearing on the kickstart shaft hole, just an oil seal. It's not really meant to be used permanently, just on occasions when the battery is low. I think you'll find regular use of the emergency kickstart will quite possible damage the clutch casing in this area and lead to oil weeping out. I did wonder about the possibility of drilling the shaft hole out and putting a bush into it.....

I know your right but an added note is that DAVINCI used his always when his starter clutch was bad and never actually had a problem.

[crazy steve]

...I did wonder about the possibility of drilling the shaft hole out and putting a bush into it.....

Problem is Yamaha didn't really put enough material around the hole to allow drilling it for a bushing, unless that bushing is very thin. I know on other kickstart bikes I've owned that steel bushing was pretty stout, as was the 'bracing' around the hole it went in.

Another thing lacking is the locating dowels used for the cover; OEM is just thin sleeves, I'd want to see a solid dowel, at least at the back where the stress is.

[James England]

Another thing lacking is the locating dowels used for the cover; OEM is just thin sleeves, I'd want to see a solid dowel, at least at the back where the stress is.

Good point. I never thought of that. I did start my bike with the kickstart to see how easy it was to start (dead easy actually) but I was acutely aware that it's a lot of weight on that shaft and casing when you boot it. The hole is braced in the casting on the inside but it's pretty weedy.....

[RJFort]

I just got my permanent kickstart lever in the mail from Tom Clisham. Thanks Tom. Now to install it.

There is the pic of the right side. Towards the front there is the rubber plug sticking out. How do I take that off? I did not try yet as I did not want to break anything. Does it just pop off and I mount the lever? Once I do this I can see if the compression is any good and I can move forward with my build. Thanks in advance guys.

BTW: It is a 79 special

[tcoop]

Just pop it off with a flat tip screwdriver. Never tride to use the kickstart to check compression so I don't know if it will give correct readings.

[RJFort]

I was told doing that will raise the compression in the chamber. It may not be a fully consistent reading but it will show if the engine is holding compression, I was told. Am I wrong? The bike has no battery and not sure about the electrical system. I wanted to test this first to see where my next step was, whether it was doing the engine over or the rest of the bike. Opinions?

[crazy steve]

I doubt if you'll get a accurate reading with the kicker; you'll get something, but probably not what it really has.

If you want to test the compression, use a car battery and some jumper cables. Lift the starter cable off the solenoid, then just apply 12 volts to that directly to spin the motor. Pull all the plugs and the carbs to get the best results....

[RJFort]

thanks crazy steve, will the battery from my other bike do the same trick? i dont actually need to start the motor just get it spinning. would an air ratchet on the crank work too?

[crazy steve]

Sure, another bike battery will work. It may not have enough poop to spin the motor the (at least) four times it will take though...

The air ratchet won't spin it fast enough.