Topic: Kickstart suddenly not working

[hughes1962]

What would make the kickstarter suddenly not work? When I got the bike it worked great and did so the last time I tried it. This morning when I pushed it through it felt about the same as it would with the spark plugs out but it started right up with the electric starter. Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

[Powderman]

What bike is it?

[Dr. Noisewater]

Did you have the clutch pulled in? I had the same scare then realized I was holding the clutch..


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[hughes1962]

Thanks for the tip but Good Gosh I must be the stupidest person on the planet!

I was trying to trace the source of a noise and had put a zip tie around the left grip and clutch lever to hold it in so I could listen to the engine running with the clutch lever pulled in... and I completely forgot it was there. Clipped it off and surprise, surprise - the kick start works like new.

(I swear I wasn't drinking and I'm not on medications - although after this, maybe I should be...) Thanks guys... once again - saved by the SOHC Forum!

PS: it's a '71 CB500 - should have mentioned that in the first post.

[74750k4]

As long as I'm in neutral, my kickstart works the same, whether the clutch is engaged, or not!  What am I doing wrong???

[72_350_FOUR]

I think if it's in gear and the clutch is in it wont work.  I learned this in the middle of traffic one day, after stalling the bike. haha.