Author Topic: Kick or electric only starter  (Read 4082 times)

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Stevearino

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #25 on: May 03, 2006, 07:03:01 PM »
I wish like hell that my GL 1100 had a kick on it.  The early starter motors weren't worth a damn.  $250 later it has a new starter.  Simple installation, two bolts and a nut.  Once you can get to it...

Offline Ted Nomura

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #26 on: May 04, 2006, 12:03:20 PM »
I wish like hell that my GL 1100 had a kick on it.  The early starter motors weren't worth a damn.  $250 later it has a new starter.  Simple installation, two bolts and a nut.  Once you can get to it...
You're right. Starters on Gold Wings can be really expensive, if they had a back-up kicker like the original GL1000, maybe the starter won't get worn so fast. Honda got rid of the back-up kick starter for GL1100 because most of the GL1000 owners never used their back up kick but that's because their bikes were still relatively new. Big mistake in Honda's part, I think.
1969 Honda CB750, two 1970 CB750, two 1972 CB750K2, 1971 CB500, 1975 CB550, 1976 CB400F, 1968 CL450, 1973 CL450, 1974 CB450, 1970 1/2 SL350K1, 1971 SL350K1, 1972 SL350K2, 1972 CL350, 1972 CB350, 1983 CB1000C, 1976 Kawasaki KZ900A4, 1976 KH500A8, 1979 KZ400B, 1983 ZN1300, and so on and so on...

Offline Ted Nomura

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #27 on: May 04, 2006, 12:12:17 PM »
Along the same line of thought...
I once had someone looking at my 1972 S2 Kawasaki handlebars
and he actually asked "where is the starter button?" ::)
michel
Up my cyclinder count, just got another bike cb650sc
You got a 1972 Kawasaki S2? You lucky dog! That's one of the bikes that I always wanted to get. I test-rode one at the Kawasaki dealer near I-15 in Las Vegas when they were new and they cost only $879 back then but I just had a new girlfriend so I bought a used 1971 Honda SL350K1 for $400 instead and spent the rest on dates.
I have a 1976 Kawasaki KH500 and that bike handles more like the current 250 street bike, feels even lighter once you get off the CB750, the engines feels more smoother too.
The original S2 had a reputation of being a wheeler king and many says that it feels like a 125 with super light handling. Of course the fuel consumption rate was even worse than their 500cc or even 750cc cousins, especially since nearly 30% of the fuel is being used for cooling!
Still, getting the S2 in good condition is on the top of my list. I thought the original red 1972 model was one of the best looking bikes, especially since they changed to less appealing tail section design (but more practical for leg mounting)for the 1973 model.
1972 Kawasaki S2 must be one of the most fun "kick-starter" only bike in its day, along with Yamaha 350 R5.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2006, 12:22:24 PM by Ted Nomura »
1969 Honda CB750, two 1970 CB750, two 1972 CB750K2, 1971 CB500, 1975 CB550, 1976 CB400F, 1968 CL450, 1973 CL450, 1974 CB450, 1970 1/2 SL350K1, 1971 SL350K1, 1972 SL350K2, 1972 CL350, 1972 CB350, 1983 CB1000C, 1976 Kawasaki KZ900A4, 1976 KH500A8, 1979 KZ400B, 1983 ZN1300, and so on and so on...

Offline Dusthawk

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #28 on: May 05, 2006, 10:21:04 PM »
Well, I'd say I use the kicker about 90% of the time. Pretty much the only time I used the button is after work and I'm wiped out.

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comcrx

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #29 on: May 06, 2006, 07:00:38 AM »
my solenoid is gone, so I kick it everytime. I personally like it, unless the motor is cold it turns over with about half a kick. if its cold it takes 2 or 3

one of my friends has a 77 shovelhead that I would hate to have to kick over everytime. find TDC, jump, repeat, repeat again. usually goes on the 3rd or 4th try, but damn it looks like too much work. gotta do whatcha gotta do, I suppose

Offline Chris Liston

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #30 on: May 06, 2006, 07:16:08 AM »
I like having the kick on the bike.  But I have to admit, its been a lazy year so far and my button has been pressed ALOT.  I did kick it yesterday though just for the heck of it.  Not even 3/4 down and she fired :)  Gotta love them when that motor is warm.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Kick or electric only starter
« Reply #31 on: May 06, 2006, 07:27:21 AM »
The solenoid on the 550 is shot, and the starter button on the 750 broke off a couple of years ago and I never bothered to replace it, so they're both kick-start only.  I like it that way, though, keeps me very in tune with the bikes because I have to know exactly where to set the choke and idle depending on the temperature.  Plus it forces me to ride both of them at least once a week because if I don't, it's a serious work out to wake them up again.