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Kick start woes.
- RunningFree83
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www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/19...-us/o/m3960#sch84501
www.dansmc.com/kaw_kz650_oilflow.JPG
Any help is greatly appreciated!
1978 kz650
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- Patton
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If not already done, would perform clutch push rod adjustment.RunningFree83 wrote: ...kick start is slipping though. Some times it works but not enough to get it started. I push down and it just clicks and slips all the way down....
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- RunningFree83
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1978 kz650
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- RunningFree83
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- RunningFree83
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1978 kz650
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- OnkelB
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Unfortunately the only way you can access the kick starter ratchet/gears is to split the cases, no way around it.
Before you start tearing it apart there is one thing you can do to check if the kick start gears are working: put the bike in 1st gear, pull the clutch and activate the kick starter. If the kick start gear/ratchet is working the rear wheel should move.
Btw, the oogaah sound is your starter clutch slipping, common problem on the 650s/750 fours - caused by worn or broken plunger springs, worn starter clutch rollers, worn starter clutch gear or a combination of the above.
77 KZ 650 B1, 82 GPz 1100 B2.
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- RunningFree83
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1978 kz650
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- Patton
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Patton wrote:
If not already done, would perform clutch push rod adjustment....RunningFree83 wrote: ...kick start is slipping though. Some times it works but not enough to get it started. I push down and it just clicks and slips all the way down....
A frequent error in performing the clutch push rod adjustment is turning the screw the wrong way to lightly seated before reversing it 1/4 turn to provide the gap needed to assure clutch engagement.
Absent the required gap, the kick starter may push through as if the clutch lever is being squeezed.
Don't trust the manual, as it may have erroneous or confusing instructions.
The clutch actuator mechanism will be either a screw type design or a ball and ramp type design.
The screw type adjuster screw turns in clockwise to lightly seat, then turns counter-clockwise 1/2 turn to provide the gap.
The ball and ramp type adjuster screw turns in counter-clockwise to lightly seat, then turns clockwise 1/2 turn to provide the gap.
If there's any doubt about the adjustment, would do it the reverse way to see whether it might resolve the reported kick starter issue.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- 650ed
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Patton wrote:
Patton wrote:
If not already done, would perform clutch push rod adjustment....RunningFree83 wrote: ...kick start is slipping though. Some times it works but not enough to get it started. I push down and it just clicks and slips all the way down....
A frequent error in performing the clutch push rod adjustment is turning the screw the wrong way to lightly seated before reversing it 1/4 turn to provide the gap needed to assure clutch engagement.
Absent the required gap, the kick starter may push through as if the clutch lever is being squeezed.
Don't trust the manual, as it may have erroneous or confusing instructions.
The clutch actuator mechanism will be either a screw type design or a ball and ramp type design.
The screw type adjuster screw turns in clockwise to lightly seat, then turns counter-clockwise 1/2 turn to provide the gap.
The ball and ramp type adjuster screw turns in counter-clockwise to lightly seat, then turns clockwise 1/2 turn to provide the gap.
If there's any doubt about the adjustment, would do it the reverse way to see whether it might resolve the reported kick starter issue.
Good Fortune!
OK, let me take a stab at trying to diagnose this a little. I believe the electric starter and kickstarter problems are unrelated. The electric starter clutch may have a problem that has been discussed elsewhere in this forum before, and that would explain the bizarre noise when you hit the starter button. The clutch itself may also need adjustment as Patton points out. However, I do not believe the kickstarter problem is related to the electric starter or the clutch.
Here's my reasoning:
Depressing the kickstarter lever should cause the clutch hub to rotate regardless of the clutch being out of adjustment. Normally, this then in turn rotates the clutch housing which causes the crankshaft to rotate and the engine to start. If you pull in the clutch (or if the clutch is slipping badly), the clutch hub will still rotate, but it will not impart this rotation to the clutch housing so the engine won't start.
As proof - on any normal bike with the engine OFF and the rear wheel off the ground (bike on centerstand) put the transmission in 1st gear. Pull in the clutch lever. Depress the kick lever. You will notice that even though the engine does not try to crank over (because the clutch lever is pulled in) the rear wheel will rotate as you depress the kick lever. This means that even though you cannot see it with the engine buttoned up the clutch hub is rotating as the kick lever is depressed. This happens because the clutch hub is attached to the transmission drive shaft.
In RunningFree83's video as he depresses the kick lever neither the clutch hub nor clutch housing rotates (assuming I'm seeing the video clearly). This tells me the kickstart problem must lie in the kickstarter mechanism. I believe the kickstart ratchet gear is not engaging the kick gear. Since it is highly unlikely that these gears are worn out, I suspect there is a problem with the spring that normally would push the ratchet gear into the kick gear.
Anyway, that's my theory. If it proves to be correct do I win a Twinkie?
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- RunningFree83
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1978 kz650
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- bikerguy
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Pressing the start button on 79 kz1000 for some reason all of a sudden stopped working. The starter turns over engine by using the screwdriver over soilnoid terminals approach. So it would seem further investigation is warranted.
I read on this topic how to test sidekick as my side kick did not seem to engage. There was no tention. I put in first gear, pulled in clutch and kicked down on kickstand expecting to move the rear tire. Nothing. Then I tried without clutch and bingo! Turned on my bike ignition and started on first kick. Without the clutch pulled in. I am riding again!
Thanks guys!
1979 KZ1000 LTD
——— Previous Rides: Seca 550, GS400, GS750, RZ350, XL 250, Hurricane 1000, ZX900, ZX-10, Shadow Spirit 750
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