Topic: Starter vs. Kick Start

[rockandride6]

So....after rebuilding my 1975 CB750F it has ALWAYS started first kick once warm, 3rd kick when cold.  The PO (or some PO before that) cut the wire to the starter motor and getting that fixed wasn't super high on my priority list....Maybe a late winter project.

This makes me wonder...how many of you kick vs. using the starter??  I ask because I know that on some motorcycles (like my CRF450X) the kick start is REALLY just for emergencies. Over use can a fracture in the case pretty easily.

[dave the welder]

depending on how cold it is outside  1-2 kicks.electric  first time every time the motor is a mixmatch of 74 lower end with 78 top end unknown miles

[BobbyR]

The kickstarter is not like the older bikes that had a magneto, you still need battery voltage to kick start. So it is more useful for a really weak battery. You may know that already.

There are guys who convewrted to kick only and they can speak to case cracking.

[cougar]

Just depends on my mood and who all I'm around! My bike ("76 cb750F1) starts sooooo easy, all I have to do (when warm) is "Tap" the starter button and she's running or half-stroke the kicker ! When she's cold it doesn't take much more than that and she's purring like a kitten !    ...cougar...

[vames]

When you space out and stall at a stop light? Yeah it's nice to have that starter button even if you are an avid kicker.

[dusterdude]

Yep,did that today

[edwardmorris]

There's always this possibility 

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132668.msg1484798#msg1484798

[fmctm1sw]

My 550:  Electric started because I put the kickstarter shaft in upside down when I rebuilt it.

My 350 Twin:  Kicked because the starter clutch is toast.

My 350F:  Kicked because the battery is always almost dead.

My silverwing, 3 wheeler, and 650s I used to have:  Electric started because there was no kick starter.

I use whatever works....

I didn't read that kick vs electric thread, that looks pretty entertaining.  Given a choice, I'd say a kickstarter because while you will look dumb kicking and kicking on it if it doesn't start, you will look even more foolish getting a running start, jumping on it and popping the clutch.  Even worse if someone pushes you....

[bcscotty]

Kicking it always looks but the electric start is very nice. Mine is very hard to kick but the start button works like a charm

[rb550four]

 have  some 500's  electric all in working order- always kick anyways,
 have a few 550's  electric all in working order- always kick them anyways too,
 have a couple  650's  electric in working order- don't have kick starters, but if they did I'd surely kick them too.
  Kicking them is old school , I like old school, I am oldschool,that's part of the charm, but I don't like to kick  any of them more than twice before they start.

[Dunk]

Kick, always. Never heard of a case damage from it. Before I had bikes with electric start I always had dirt bikes, so kicking is normal. I also reject anything new or fancy. I should probably remove my starter and take advantage or a lighter alternator setup that won't work with the starter since I don't use it, maybe on the next bike as I'd like to do more performance build than factory appearing restoration.

Some bikes have had issues with broken springs or case wear and failure from kicking all the way through I think those were old Yamahas, maybe two stroke dirt bikes, that had that issue. Back when I had an IT465 I remember a few issues with the kick start. Never heard of it on a Honda though.

[AbbyRider]

I always kick. And I removed the starter as well, as I was in the mood to strip the bike of extraneous weight. But really - do what makes you happy. It's probably nice to have the option to do either.
I would hazard a guess that a case cracking would probably be from something other than kicking. At least on these Hondas.

[Rocky2010]

If the machine has an electric start I use it, but you don't get that joy on older bikes.
What looks great is when my partner she kick starts the Triumph now that is nice, incredible how many guys look and talk to each other probably saying that little women will never kick start that bike then you see the smile on their faces when she does start it with the kick starter

[dave500]

don't let the kicker flick back under spring power by itself,return it to the ready position with your foot still on the lever.

[evanphi]

I've been using my electric start lately because a head gasket leak makes my kick start rubber VERY VERY VERY slippery with oil... not fun on a cold morning.

[Don R]

There was a magazine article back in the day. The writer said the best thing about the new cb750 is the electric start. The honda guys are two blocks down the street waiting on their Harley owner buddies who are still kick starting their bikes.

[Duanob]

There was a magazine article back in the day. The writer said the best thing about the new cb750 is the electric start. The honda guys are two blocks down the street waiting on their Harley owner buddies who are still kick starting their bikes.

  Nice!

On the 550 if the battery is drained enough to where the elec start won't turn over, you won't have a lot of time left before the battery is drained too far and even the kick start won't work. Besides I way past looking cool so i just use the push button.

[dave500]

mate of ours has a kick only Norton commando 850,i teased him once by folding the kicker out and ever so gently and slowly kicked it down about an inch as I hit the starter button at the same time,he says #$%* is it that easy?

[DaveBarbier]

My 550:  Electric started because I put the kickstarter shaft in upside down when I rebuilt it.

My 350 Twin:  Kicked because the starter clutch is toast.

My 350F:  Kicked because the battery is always almost dead.

I know a pretty good forum where you can get help to fix all that stuff.


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1978 Honda CB550K