The Art of the Kick Start

What's your kick start procedure?

Kicking my KZ750 twin (especially when it's cold) seems like more art than science. And it's an art I haven't been able to master.

Once it's warmed up, it starts with a single kick easy-peezy. But if it's been sitting for an hour or more it's a real bear. With electric start it fires right up and runs well. So I don't think it's an adjustment/tuning issue. It's either that I'm doing something wrong, or something's amiss with my kicker.

Usually I start with choke on full, don't touch the gas, gently turn the kick starter a few times until I start to feel a little resistance, then kick it hard (and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...) When it's warm sometimes it fires up while I'm looking for that spot where it starts to resist.

What's your procedure?

My procedure is pretty much the same as yours, but mine starts with just a couple kicks when cold. One small difference is that if the air temperature isn't actually cold I only use partial choke. If the engine is warm - no choke. Be sure to turn the petcock on and give the carb bowls a minute or so to fill if the bike hasn't been used in a while. Ed

With my XS650 ( the KZ is in progress) I've found using "everything you got " style kick start usually does not work. A more steady, positive motion does. A couple off ignition, priming kicks help sometimes too.

SR500 Yamaha by HAND!

I index the engine to get the most rotation out of the kick. Sorry I don't know how to describe it any other way... I also remember hearing (from someone on here, can't remember who or when) that having the clutch lever pulled in will help.

mtbspeedfreak wrote: I index the engine to get the most rotation out of the kick.

Can you describe what you're talking about?

mtbspeedfreak wrote: I also remember hearing (from someone on here, can't remember who or when) that having the clutch lever pulled in will help.

Can anyone confirm this? The bike's in neutral, so what role would having the clutch in/out play?

Squeeze clutch to electric start only...doing so while kicking will allow the kicker to free wheel...be ready to "flatfoot"

An old trick...grab something else on the handlebar besides the throttle grip when kicking. You may think you're not twisting the throttle, but your arm naturally rotates downward with your body. You may be twisting the throttle (flooding the carb) without even realizing it.

Topper wrote: Can anyone confirm this? The bike's in neutral, so what role would having the clutch in/out play?

Yeah, it makes the kick starter do NOTHING on a KZ.

My thing is if it does not start easily, there is something wrong with the bike. All my stuff starts instantly.
My KZ900 is the greatest thing to start. Bring it up to compression, crack the throttle open a hair, kick, and as soon as the first cylinder comes up to fire, it starts! It does not matter if it is freezing cold or I just went for a ride. She starts instantly every time. I only use choke if it's under 50 outside.

My TT500 is a pain because my skinny ass cannot push the engine through compression with all my weight on the kick starter. I have to pull a little compression release and she fires the first time I get a clean kick. Either that or it kicks back and my foot hurts for a month. :blink: That video of the guy starting the SR with his hand must be running factory 8.3:1 compression :laugh: He should try mine. 11:1 Wiseco and a great set of rings.

Haha sorry, that sounded like jibber jabber... Index the engine to the compression stroke. Have to check on my clutch statement when I get home.

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Index the engine to the compression stroke.

So how exactly do you do that? I slowly rotate the kick shaft until I start to feel a little resistance. Is that what you're talking about?

CrazyDuck wrote:

Topper wrote: My TT500 is a pain because my skinny ass cannot push the engine through compression with all my weight on the kick starter. I have to pull a little compression release and she fires the first time I get a clean kick. Either that or it kicks back and my foot hurts for a month. :blink: That video of the guy starting the SR with his hand must be running factory 8.3:1 compression :laugh: He should try mine. 11:1 Wiseco and a great set of rings.

My 658 just flat wont kick over. I use a plug-in remote starter. It plugs into the bolt in the middle of the rotor cover.