Topic: effort required to kickstart a 1973 cb500

[phaedrus314]

Hi all and thanks in advance. 

I realize this is a very subjective question but how would you categorize the amount of effort to kickstart a 73 cb500?  I ask because I just looked at a 72 cb350 twin and noticed that it required noticeable more effort to kick over than my 500 does. 

Is an easy kickstart an indication of any problems?  Low compression (bike starts easily but haven't had it out on the road yet and didn't compression test as it started easily and seems to run well...)

[LesterPiglet]

The more cylinders the engine has the easier it is to kick.

[dave500]

one quarter of a 500 is 125 thats under compression at any one time,,one half of 350 isnt much more,,the kicker gearing probably comes into play and the compression ratio of the 350 twin may be higher?they have a domed piston.

[phaedrus314]

Ok, so would you consider the kick effort on a cb500 to be easy?  I am 5'9, 155ish and was surprised at how easy it was the first time i tried it.

[strynboen]

500 and 550 can be kickt of a 90 years women..they just vant to start.....if all teknik are ok..
honda 550 1978 k3

[dave500]

ive started them by hand for a laugh.

[tory b]

   Untell I realized the black powder coated bars on my 500 where causing my lack of electric start,I kicked it for a year.Even by hand.My 100 lbs 13 year old son could start it no problem.

[xsmooth69x]

I can kick strategy mine just using "the force"  thanks yoda

[Gordon]

I have to be careful in the garage.  If I fart near my 550 it will kick-start!

Okay, so it's not actually that easy, but if it's a hot day or the engine is already warm it's usually running before I reach the bottom of the kick. 

[phaedrus314]

Thanks all.