I recently installed a heavy duty kicker kit on the 74. It works, doesn't slip but also wont start the bike. I have a 1965 sportster hopped up pretty high in compression and other tricks with a kicker "only", and I can fire this bike up on the second kick. I know once you start the kick, you have to be commited. Sporty taught me that once just as I went over the bars, so I know how to do it.

The bike starts on the second roll with the button but I have to kick and kick and kick and kick and it still wont take off. This is my first shovel and I like it, but my sportster with a BS kicker mechanism and 9:5-1 pistons is a lot harder and I have no trouble. Anyone else got an idea? I know the ironheads inside and out but his monster perplexes me. BTW, I don't jump on and swing my right leg high and kick with my left. Other than looking really dumb, you are asking for trouble if the ratchet does slip. I straddle it high on the compression strong and come down hard with all my 208 lbs.

thanks

randy

 

What kind of ignition? I just put a kicker on my 76 FLH. it has a dyna s ignition. Starts rather easily.

 

+1
If the Iggy is set for 1 or 2 dead revs...You won't be kick starting it..
My shovel kicks much easier than my Ironhead...I don't put much weight into it at all.

 

Im not sure what ignition it has in it as I have never touched it other than its electronic. If it works don't mess with it and it works but I will check and see if I can get a name on it and get back to everyone. Why would there be a setting for "dead revs"? I have never heard of that.

randy

 

I think some fully electronic ignition (NOT DynaS) have a switch to set them for kick start

 

A dyna-S is Not a fully Electronic ignition...It is basically electronic "trigger" [points] think Prestolite Ignition.
And there is No provision for Dead Revs.
The dead revs is setup to Prevent "kick-back" against the starter.

 

1st don't compare kicking a piglet to a 74 , very different animals in the way they act. Secondly sounds like you've got tuning issues , if the bikes tuned right she should fire 1st or second kick consistently. As has been stated check to see what ignition you have as most of the solid state electronics have to be specifically set up to kick as they have a delay built in. Next when the bikes running at an idle do a leak check around the intake clamps, air leak will make a lean condition and kick starting tough.

I run a 93" 12-1 compression shovel and she fires 2nd kick every time, only way I get the beast started.

 

That what I said... NOT DynaS; in case he had a DynaS he'd find no switches for the kick

 

Yes...Understood...I was trying to clarify a bit for the O.P.

 

this is what I see. Pretty difficult to determine the make of ignition with no markings on it. Any ideas?

P.S. And by the way that little "piglet" has more horsepower and tourque than my shovel.

randy