Kick starter

[JeffH4547]

I have 1979 Yamaha XS1100SF. I see the shaft for the kick starter under a plastic cap. Handy thing to have if battery goes dead. Where is the kick starter lever? Were they sold with the bikes or seperatly? How easy are they to find now?

JeffH

[kboehringer]

Kick Start

Jeff,
Your bike should have had one from the factory. It should be stored just behind the motor on the side where it would attach to the motor. They use a wing-nut and cover. It's kinda stored under the battery.



If you don't have one, contact member ANDREAS. He probably has one at a reasonable price. That's where I got mine

As you mentioned, it's only for emergency use not for daily use. I've been trying to add one to my 80SG (for emergency use only). The majority of the parts were removed in 80 as the kick start was no longer offered. I need an internal ratchet gear and mine will be all set.......

KURT

[Gmac]

It is also

A pain in the leg to use as it does not fold out of the way and will poke you as you ride back to the barn. DAMHIK

[mack]

If you

find the wratchet gear and install it, also buy a 78/79 battery box. It has the built in clips for storage after use. Then the lever won't be a pain in the leg when getting back to the barn. The rubber cap is whats hard to find.

[Prisoner6]

Jeff,

If your SF still has the kick-starter lever tucked away, you'll be able to reach behind that wing-nutted cover and feel the lever ...

It runs along the underside of the frame cross-member that is just in front of the rear master cylinder.

If not, then (as Kurt suggested) contact Andreas (he's our resident "go-to" parts guy) on his profile page linked below:

andreashweiss

Once there, click on the yellow "Contact Info" tab, then send him a Private Message detailing what you need.

[MPittma100]

Kick Start

I have 1979 Yamaha XS1100SF. I see the shaft for the kick starter under a plastic cap. Handy thing to have if battery goes dead. Where is the kick starter lever? Were they sold with the bikes or seperatly? How easy are they to find now?

JeffH

The kick start would be a really good idea if the bike had a magneto ignition. When the battery goes dead on the XS11s, there is usually not enough voltage to fire the ignition. Other than buying a missing lever to keep it original, the kick start function is pretty much a novelty item.

[Radioguylogs]

Me too

Kurt:

Thanks for the picture. (And thanks, Marco, for the description)

I have procured the kick-lever, the wing nut and plastic cover, but I never looked to figure out how to attach them.

[Prisoner6]

... When the battery goes dead on the XS11s, there is usually not enough voltage to fire the ignition.

That's true, Mike ...

If the battery is completely dead ... no kick start.

But the kick-starter will work if the starter flakes out on you.

[mack]

oops

I mis spoke. The actual bracket to hold the kick lever is under the left battery box retaining flange. Not sure if 80/81 frames kept them