Topic: Kickstarter pin won't budge; need ideas

[dummkauf]

I have my case split and am almost ready to send both halves and the cylinders in to get bead blasted, however I can not get that stupid kick starter out of the bottom half of the case to save my life.  Thus far I've attempted the following:
    - Needle nose pliers to pull it out like the manual says: didn't budge
    - Bigger pliers squeezing with both hands and trying and pulling on pin: didn't budge
    - Stuck a flat head screw driver in the slot that goes down the side of the pin, tried twisting it as well as whacked the screw driver with a hammer to try and spin the pin loose: didn't budge
    - Tried smacking the top of the pin with the hammer, and then pulling with all of my pliers: didn't budge
    - Took a torch to the case around the pin to heat it up and tried previous  points again: didn't budge
    - Searched this forum and found one thread suggesting the use of a needle noses pliers with an angled tip.  Went to Menards, spent $8 on pliers, and tried again: didn't budge
    - Set my case on the ground, stood on it, got the biggest pair of pliers I had, squeezed with both hands, and pulled up: didn't budge

Also note that I've been trying to figure out how to get this *$#*ing pin out all week, and every night after I've thus far given up I soaked it with either WD-40 or Penetrating oil in hopes that might get in there and free something up.


So right now I am thinking that my only option left is to drill the stupid thing out, however I'd rather not, so if anyone has any suggestions on how I might get the little bugger out I would greatly appreciate the advice

[MCRider]

I have my case split and am almost ready to send both halves and the cylinders in to get bead blasted, however I can not get that stupid kick starter out of the bottom half of the case to save my life.  Thus far I've attempted the following:
    - Needle nose pliers to pull it out like the manual says: didn't budge
    - Bigger pliers squeezing with both hands and trying and pulling on pin: didn't budge
    - Stuck a flat head screw driver in the slot that goes down the side of the pin, tried twisting it as well as whacked the screw driver with a hammer to try and spin the pin loose: didn't budge
    - Tried smacking the top of the pin with the hammer, and then pulling with all of my pliers: didn't budge
    - Took a torch to the case around the pin to heat it up and tried previous  points again: didn't budge
    - Searched this forum and found one thread suggesting the use of a needle noses pliers with an angled tip.  Went to Menards, spent $8 on pliers, and tried again: didn't budge
    - Set my case on the ground, stood on it, got the biggest pair of pliers I had, squeezed with both hands, and pulled up: didn't budge

Also note that I've been trying to figure out how to get this *$#*ing pin out all week, and every night after I've thus far given up I soaked it with either WD-40 or Penetrating oil in hopes that might get in there and free something up.


So right now I am thinking that my only option left is to drill the stupid thing out, however I'd rather not, so if anyone has any suggestions on how I might get the little bugger out I would greatly appreciate the advice

Hope this thread helps. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38746.0
Take note that we are talking about sidecut pliars here and not needlenose. You need something to bite into the pin just a little bit, so sharp sidecuts are called for. Use the pliars themslves as the lever or just hold them firmly still and slide your flat blade or tire iron under them to use as the lever. Grip the pin in a way that you are closing the gap when you squeeze them. It should come out fairly easily once you get the right grip.

[dummkauf]

Hope this thread helps. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38746.0
Take note that we are talking about sidecut pliars here and not needlenose. You need something to bite into the pin just a little bit, so sharp sidecuts are called for. Use the pliars themslves as the lever or just hold them firmly still and slide your flat blade or tire iron under them to use as the lever. Grip the pin in a way that you are closing the gap when you squeeze them. It should come out fairly easily once you get the right grip.
[/quote]

Thanks, I missed that thread I'm my searches.  I seem to recall I tried using my wire cutter pliers(think that's what they're called though) and that didn't move it, although they are also a bit old and aren't really sharp at all anymore.  I may need to pick up a new pair tomorrow, although in the mean time I think I'll try that vice grip tip in the thread you posted.

Thanks for the quick reply!

[MCRider]

Thanks, I missed that thread I'm my searches.  I seem to recall I tried using my wire cutter pliers(think that's what they're called though) and that didn't move it, although they are also a bit old and aren't really sharp at all anymore.  I may need to pick up a new pair tomorrow, although in the mean time I think I'll try that vice grip tip in the thread you posted.

Thanks for the quick reply!
[/quote]

Yes, wire cutters, side cuts, same thing.

You're welcome, good luck. It WILL come out. (think positive)

[dummkauf]

Actually the vice grips worked!

Was a bit of a pain, I had to set the vice grip to almost the tighest setting, have my girlfriend hold them in place, while I then took my giant pair of pliers and used them to squeeze the vice grips shut on the pin, which the closed the gap on the pin and after a several twists, and having to re-attach the vice grips a few times the pin finally came out.

Now it's time to degrease the motor and wait for my buddy to call me back with the number of a local shop to get the parts bead blasted.

[MCRider]

Actually the vice grips worked!

Was a bit of a pain, I had to set the vice grip to almost the tighest setting, have my girlfriend hold them in place, while I then took my giant pair of pliers and used them to squeeze the vice grips shut on the pin, which the closed the gap on the pin and after a several twists, and having to re-attach the vice grips a few times the pin finally came out.

Now it's time to degrease the motor and wait for my buddy to call me back with the number of a local shop to get the parts bead blasted.

Actually I just made up the part about the vice grips.... KIDDING!     Glad it worked for you.

That's called "Getting Medieval on the SOB".

I'm at the point of getting some things bead blasted as well. Plenty of warnings here to make sure they all get cleaned thouroughly of left behind beads. My blaster assured me they clean thoroughly, so I gave him some test cases off an old 305 SuperHawk. Don't have them back yet.