bump starting

I have an 82 kz1000 LTD. The starter is going up. Can I bump start the bike safely on a downhill slope?
Any pros or cons concerning this method?
I guess if it doesn't start, I will have to push the bike back up the hill:laugh:

You can do it. Get the bike moving, then shift up to second gear. Should start right up if all is well. I've had to do it on a 1984 Honda Aspencade before on flat ground, no fun with that monster. Luckily a KZ1000 is just a little motorcycle (in comparison anyway.

Used to have a Z1A with a big higher compression motor which the starter could not handle, and the kickstarter would bend periodically and have to be replaced - I got pretty good at running with the bike and jumping on and starting it in second on level ground. I was nice and warm on many a cool morning while trying to start the bike and entertaing the neighborhood with some choice Norwegian phrases.

Get on the bike and have someone give you a push - make sure the choke and ignition is on and the carbs are getting fuel.

Post edited by: jenshhj, at: 2005/11/02 20:50

I guess if it doesn't start, I will have to push the bike back up the hill

depends on your character...

optimistic, start it down hill
cautious and reserved, push on level ground
pessimist, push up hill first
outside the box, bolt up a pusher with an old tire on your squeeze's '78 diesel rabbit, set up movie camera, put her in her best sexy outfit, share film...

try bumpstarting a big thumper with a bald rear tire some time
now that's a real treat

Mebbe it's just me but Duck's reply had me rolling.

Yes, it is ok to bump start.

just bribe some buddies with cold keystones to push you, thats what i do.

there is a beefier starter you can use on kawasakis(900/1000s) (especially hi compression motors,i think its off an 1100 honda(ill pull it off and make sure!)but i cant remember anyway it takes just a little bit of grinding to make it fit.as soon as i get it apart ill remember what it is and post it!happy wrenching

Das-

Thanks.

Here you go...

You're going to look at a used bike. The seller says it runs but: "the battery or starter be dead". If your a kind soul, you bring your jumper cables.

If of an evil bent like myself, you suggest that he might bump start it. After about half an hour of him pushing and popping the clutch in first while you and your loading buddy snicker, you inform your seller that since it doesn't run you can only offer him $100. At this point he's about as fed up with the bike as he's ever gonna be and you just might get yourself a steal. In any case, you're gonna get a better deal than you would have on a 'running' bike.

I'm new to all this bike stuff but have acquired nine of the things in the past 6 months. Maybe it's time to share my list of bike buying tricks...

* = winner

* FT500, above average, $350 used 'bump start' method. This is a 'cult bike' and not very common.

* KZ1000A1, pretty as can be, 29mm smoothbores. LTD wheels and brakes, maybe a big bore kit, I haven't measured yet. $650. Cash on the table method. "I know you said $1000 firm but this is it" as you reach to put the cash back in your pocket and leave. I got halfway to my truck and was beginning to think, "he's not gonna go for it".

KZ1000P 86 $150, not that great a deal.

* GS1000GT 7700 original miles $200, I didn't need to argue, he wanted it gone.

* GPz1100 1982, pretty, 19k miles, $300 I didn't need to argue, he wanted it gone. However this was found by asking an ebay seller who was selling some carbs, 'that I bought for my GPz1100' what he planned to do with the bike.

* CB650, $150, my Hondazaki, he wanted it gone.

* CB400A Hondamatic. Uncommon classic with original paint and excellent tires. $100. Sad story. He wanted it gone because he was having a 2002 CB954RR delivered and wife said 'only one bike'. I told the kid, "this is a lot more bike than your CB400 so you need to take it real easy". He never even rode it. Wheelied in his driveway and destroyed the forks, bars, tail, headlight, and front and right fairing. I felt so bad for the kid that I told him to buy a shop manual and some used forks and bring it by the shop and I'd help him put the forks on. Got this past Sunday. He's still bruised and skinned up but no serious damage. I was listening to it idle in his driveway after laoding up the CB400A and looked at the prone riding position and thought to myself, "I'm not sure I'm up to riding that thing".

1980 CX500, free. Forks going on CB650. Engine on ebay(no bids) as I type.

FT500 number two, basket case, $90

-Duck

Post edited by: Duck, at: 2005/12/16 05:11

I had to bump start my 82' 1000 quite a bit last year. I thought that the problem was the battery; replaced it. Then it was the solenoid; replace it too. The problem would come and go...the bike would start right up when it was cold and not when it was warm. I could usually get it going by bump starting myself on a flat area. I pulled apart the started button but that was fine. It all came down to the button integrated into the clutch lever. It had arched across the wires when I bought the bike so I never knew you had to pull in the clutch to start it, and when the bike would warm up the wires would "uncross" (and the switch itself was bad, too). I finally discovered it by process of elimination and permanently arched it with copper wire and no more problem.

After a bumpstart, don't wrench the throttle and take off right away. Take it easy for the first few seconds so oil pressure can come up.