Starting ritual for older non-electric start machines: Must be followed fairly closely
1. Retard Spark--On Indian -turn AutoLite distributer clockwise when looking down at it.
If spark is left advanced, the engine may fire when you're partway down the kick stroke--probably causing you pain.
2.Turn on gas-tap bowl of (Linkert) with wrench.
3. Fully choke carb--butterfly and/or rag.
4. Make sure foot clutch is fully engaged--tilted backwards probably-depending on set up.
5. Trans in neutral
6. Kick over 5 or 6 times until gas is running out of the air intake.
If you have succumbed to the Great Aircleaner Conspiracy,
you can't tell anything when you reach this point.
7. On a warm day, open the air intake butterfly all the way--take out rag.
8. Turn on ignition
9. Give half throttle
10. Kick it like you mean it.
If you don't give it everything you have, the bike will recognize this and probably not start.
On each succeeding kick you need to hit it as hard as you can.
If you screw this up and get the bike flooded and slightly warm but not running
you're going to have to wait a while then try again.
11. Once the bike is running, fully advance the spark.
12. That's it--hit the road!
Note: Not to disparage, but by contrast, most SOHC Fours can be kick started with ignition on and the dip of a toe.
