How Vintage Can We Go?
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 36
Likes: 13
From: Louisiana
How Vintage Can We Go?
Howdy, folks! I'm happy to report that the mission I set out on with my first bike is coming together nicely. She's been modernized and improved in several ways from the state she was in when I got my 1992 FLHTP. Now, we're getting into funky territory.
My next steps include pipes, an old-school windshield, bars, a new seat, and the subject of this thread: A kickstart and (hopefully) edelbrock heads. I have the kickstart already. It was given to me by a friend who's mentoring me in working on these beautiful therapy chairs along with a full transmission his buddy didn't have a use for anymore. From the moment I got them, I wanted to get in here and ask a few questions.
To start, how hard is this kickstart and transmission swap going to be? I'm not scared of the work, and just got done with rebuilding the top end of the bike completely, but I want to know what kind of bite I'm going to be taking out of my time.
Then I began thinking about how hard the actual kickstart is going to be to use. I reckon I'll need compression releases, which sent me to my next question.
Does anyone know a reliable place to find Edelbrock heads for an evo? I'm hoping they'll be ported already, but atleast the releases are a necessity.
Thanks for any feedback/help/opinions you guys share. Even if you think I'm crazy for all this, I appreciate you taking the time to check it out.
My next steps include pipes, an old-school windshield, bars, a new seat, and the subject of this thread: A kickstart and (hopefully) edelbrock heads. I have the kickstart already. It was given to me by a friend who's mentoring me in working on these beautiful therapy chairs along with a full transmission his buddy didn't have a use for anymore. From the moment I got them, I wanted to get in here and ask a few questions.
To start, how hard is this kickstart and transmission swap going to be? I'm not scared of the work, and just got done with rebuilding the top end of the bike completely, but I want to know what kind of bite I'm going to be taking out of my time.
Then I began thinking about how hard the actual kickstart is going to be to use. I reckon I'll need compression releases, which sent me to my next question.
Does anyone know a reliable place to find Edelbrock heads for an evo? I'm hoping they'll be ported already, but atleast the releases are a necessity.
Thanks for any feedback/help/opinions you guys share. Even if you think I'm crazy for all this, I appreciate you taking the time to check it out.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 32
From: Bradenton, Florida
Those heads have been out of production for awhile so finding a reliable source is going to be tough but they are out there. You are going to need to find one of their intakes as well as it is propriety to Edelbrock with square intake ports. There are a few available on eBay (but they are pricey!). Dennis Kirk sells has the intake seals (in stock today), I would buy a few sets to keep on hand just in case production ceases.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
I have a kick start on my chopper. I have successfully kick started it. Twice. Without breaking my leg or throwing my back out more than my wife can fix, so it can be done. I think the Dynatek ignition is going to be a must if you want to at least occasionally kick it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 32
From: Bradenton, Florida
I always tried to park my 80' Panhead in the shade for the sole reason if you didn't get it to kick off the first go, you would seriously appreciate the shade while you kick your brains out for the next ten minutes.
The previous poster is right, You are going to want to look for an ignition that is kickstart compatible so it fires on the first revolution instead of subsequent rotations. Someone will probably give you the advice to run points. Don't do that, they sucked back in the day and they still suck now. Good luck!
The previous poster is right, You are going to want to look for an ignition that is kickstart compatible so it fires on the first revolution instead of subsequent rotations. Someone will probably give you the advice to run points. Don't do that, they sucked back in the day and they still suck now. Good luck!
What brand is the kick conversion?
The general consensus on those seems to be that the cheap import units are bad mojo.
I put a Led Sled kicker on my Sportster project. More than 2x the price of the cheapos, but IMHO worth it. I'm not familiar with the units for big twins. I know Baker is highly regarded, but that's all.
I'm running stock compression on that bike. (1200 cc version) It's not awful to kick, but I have to use the stand on the side technique, not the straddle technique.
For sure you'll need an ignition that can be set to zero dead revs.
Owning a kick only bike is a whole different thing. Eventually you'll get the touch and it will light off most of the time. But even then you'll have those times where it just doesn't want to go. Damned frustrating when that happens.
The general consensus on those seems to be that the cheap import units are bad mojo.
I put a Led Sled kicker on my Sportster project. More than 2x the price of the cheapos, but IMHO worth it. I'm not familiar with the units for big twins. I know Baker is highly regarded, but that's all.
I'm running stock compression on that bike. (1200 cc version) It's not awful to kick, but I have to use the stand on the side technique, not the straddle technique.
For sure you'll need an ignition that can be set to zero dead revs.
Owning a kick only bike is a whole different thing. Eventually you'll get the touch and it will light off most of the time. But even then you'll have those times where it just doesn't want to go. Damned frustrating when that happens.
One other thought on the install degree of difficulty.
I think that depends on how the kick system is engineered. Like I said, I've never done one on a big twin five speed, so no experience.
I will say that on my Sporty, I had to pull the gear cartridge, strip it, replace the mainshaft, them put it all back together. There were several press fits along the way, so you'll need a solution for those.
Call it an 8 out of 10.
I think that depends on how the kick system is engineered. Like I said, I've never done one on a big twin five speed, so no experience.
I will say that on my Sporty, I had to pull the gear cartridge, strip it, replace the mainshaft, them put it all back together. There were several press fits along the way, so you'll need a solution for those.
Call it an 8 out of 10.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 487
Likes: 289
From: Northern MN
A co-worker of mine used to be an Indy shop owner. Worked on all sorts of old Halreys.
Today I saw him and he was limping a bit. I asked him whats up and he told me his knee is shot and hes getting a new knee in a few weeks and will be out of work for a few months.
I blew my knee out kick starting old bikes.
As a side note, and not being an expert in this sort of thing, but a kicker on an Evo sounds uh, well..
Tom
Today I saw him and he was limping a bit. I asked him whats up and he told me his knee is shot and hes getting a new knee in a few weeks and will be out of work for a few months.
I blew my knee out kick starting old bikes.
As a side note, and not being an expert in this sort of thing, but a kicker on an Evo sounds uh, well..
Tom
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