- Posts: 1611
- Thank you received: 133
kick starting? Don't laugh at the noob.
- Topper
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
I did a little googling and found a video on how to start a Royal Enfield and it looked kind of complicated. You sort of built up pressure with the kicker and somehow charged up the amps or something.
Anyway, before I try this and risk breaking the bike or falling on my ass, I thought I'd ask for a little help.
Is the process any different than electric start?
Turn on the gas, set the choke, put it in neutral, hold the clutch, then just give it a good hard kick?
Can I leave it on the side stand or should I be holding the bike up?
Thanks.
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
- Posts: 8726
- Thank you received: 235
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
- Posts: 8726
- Thank you received: 235
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- PLUMMEN
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8139
- Thank you received: 104
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Topper
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1611
- Thank you received: 133
no clutch in neutral...kick it with no levers depressed hands just free on grips...
This bike has a kill switch on the clutch and I have to hold it in when using the electric start. So that kill switch is bypassed when kicking?
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- sroberts152
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 76
- Thank you received: 0
With the clutch in, you will just be kicking air and getting no compression.
750 - 4 shouldn't be too rough to kick over. You don't need to prime it really and it's not going to throw you like an old Harley.
1978 KZ650SR
2001 Triumph Speed Triple i955
Past bikes - Too many to list.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 550A2
- Offline
- User
- keep the shiny side up
- Posts: 428
- Thank you received: 1
Keep it on the side stand, Neutral, key on, kill switch set to run/start, choke, get the kicker lever all the way up, put your foot on it and push lightly untill you have some resistance then kick it! repeat if neccisary, adjusting choke as was said.
82 Honda ATC 200-sold
82 Yamaha Virago 920-sold
82 Yamaha YZ250j-kept
80 Suzuki GS 550-sold
82 Kawasaki KZ550 A2-ride all the time
79 Kawasaki KZ650 C-sold
73 Kawasaki Z1 900E-paid $200, sold $6000
86 Yamaha Radian YX600-new project
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- KZ250LTD
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 1322
- Thank you received: 16
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Topper
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1611
- Thank you received: 133
The bike has a little trouble with the electric start and I suspect the infamous starter clutch is to blame.
Would a bad starter clutch also interfere with my ability to kick start?
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- mtbspeedfreak
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 1413
- Thank you received: 36
So THAT'S what I'm doing wrong...
When I want to look like a badass, I'll "kick" it over, with my thumb on the starter button; mid-kick I'll press the starter to ensure that it starts up first "kick."
Shoot, I have to go practice kick starting it for real now...
2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!
If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- cafekz750
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 333
- Thank you received: 0
Here a couple of examples from YouTube...
1981 KZ750H2 - V&H 4-1 pipe, pods, jetted, clubmans, homebrew rearsets, 18" rear wheel and more.
Parting out a 1982 KZ750H3 to fund future projects
2 other non-Kawasaki motorcycles
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Topper
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1611
- Thank you received: 133
Permanent and perpetual noob.
1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.