KICKSTART!!!

hey guys i have searched the forum but its mostly info on deciding to keep the kick start or not! i would love to keep mine but its not working currently!

so my problem is i believe the ratchet gear on the starter and most likely on the start shaft as well, is the only way to get access to these parts by pulling the engine?? i JUST got the bike serviced and it was acting up a little then but now its nearly impossible to start it by kicking.

i honestly think it may be time for a new engine all together but funds are low so the kz may have to sit... (which i feel is a sin)

any help on the issue would be greatly appreciated,

basically when i kick it over it just slides down ticking on the way like the teeth are rounded off...

Just toss that boat anchor. The electric starter is reliable, and easy, when maintained.

Sure it has some nostalgic kinda look, but they dropped them way back in the 80's for a reason

Lots of places sell nice cover plates for after you remove the old kicker crap.



PS. if the bike is hard to start with the kicker right after being tuned up, fire your mechanic!

haha well i suppose i could just do that, the bike starts great with a solid kick IF it engages, and i guess that part of the reason that i used the kick starter so much is that the electric start has NOT been reliable for me in the few years i have owned the bike. i suppose if i just figure that out all would be well in the world


thanks for the input!

Splitting the cases is required to sevice the kick start shaft.
Is the electric start working?

Are you holding the clutch lever when starting the bike?

alright thanks for the info,
not at the moment, i have had a few issues with this bikes electric start, i got it fixed because when i recieved the bike (free) it did NOT work and then i had it fixed, and it worked great, now this riding season after i got a new paint job, new tires, new brakes, new exhaust the electric start wont work and the kick starter goes to s$it and kinda cramped my style!

i dont know much about them but i do get a click when i hit the start button however the battery was HORRIBLE so maybe it just didnt have enough juice to kick it over?

bearshawk wrote:

alright thanks for the info,
not at the moment, i have had a few issues with this bikes electric start, i got it fixed because when i recieved the bike (free) it did NOT work and then i had it fixed, and it worked great, now this riding season after i got a new paint job, new tires, new brakes, new exhaust the electric start wont work and the kick starter goes to s$it and kinda cramped my style!

i dont know much about them but i do get a click when i hit the start button however the battery was HORRIBLE so maybe it just didnt have enough juice to kick it over?

Yes if it just clicks there is not enough juice to turn the starter,the clicking noise is the starter relay.Check out the charging system and battery connections.

well that is at least kind of good news, i have a good battery for my sport bike ill throw in and see if it makes a difference, is there a way to check the starter relay/solenoid??

keep it man it just might save ur ass one day, whaddaya mean it dont work, a little diff procedure on the kick start is required

i mean that the kick start ratchet gear is totally stripped, the kick start lever just falls down with small ticks where it is supposed to catch