Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From:
Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
So I went out riding with quite a few people this weekend. One of the guys has an 82 Shovelhead and it starter is messed up so he kick starts it every time. I've have a bunch of Honda and yamaha 500 & 600cc 4-stroke dirt bikes that I start no problem, a lot of people can't start them. I've never kick started a Harley and started the shovel with one kick, he didn't even tell me any tricks, I fired it right up.
A few months back my negative battery cable loosened up a bit causing the connection from the battery post and cable to get very hot and partially melted my negative terminal. When I started riding that day it got a little worse but I rigged it up so I could ride that day. When I went to start it for the last time that day it would not start and I had to get push started. I was thinking it sure would be nice to have kick start! I have a 1993 softail and know 2 people with 84 softails which have kick so I'm sure it can be added. What exactly needs to be done? The pipes I have are short and end even with eachother and will not work with kick start so I'll need new pipes. As far as I know all pipes that work with kick start are very staggered which I'd like to avoid if possible. Are there any pipes that work with kick start that end even with each other?
And also what is a good battery to get? I just rebuilt the engine with 10 to 1 pistons and an EV46 cam and I had to do compression releases so while a stock battery should be just fine I thought I'd look into possibly getting a better one.
A few months back my negative battery cable loosened up a bit causing the connection from the battery post and cable to get very hot and partially melted my negative terminal. When I started riding that day it got a little worse but I rigged it up so I could ride that day. When I went to start it for the last time that day it would not start and I had to get push started. I was thinking it sure would be nice to have kick start! I have a 1993 softail and know 2 people with 84 softails which have kick so I'm sure it can be added. What exactly needs to be done? The pipes I have are short and end even with eachother and will not work with kick start so I'll need new pipes. As far as I know all pipes that work with kick start are very staggered which I'd like to avoid if possible. Are there any pipes that work with kick start that end even with each other?
And also what is a good battery to get? I just rebuilt the engine with 10 to 1 pistons and an EV46 cam and I had to do compression releases so while a stock battery should be just fine I thought I'd look into possibly getting a better one.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 2
From: Here and there.
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
Adding a kickstarter is not a huge deal. There are plenty of suppliers for this, and you can find them everywhere. It simply is an addition to your trans cover, (right side) and works with your current trans.
What pipes clear and don't clear the kicker arm is another issue. Some do. Some don't. Maybe someone can give you better feedback on that, if they've actually added one themselves. It also depends on what bike you're hanging them on.
Your stock battery is fine. If it works well with electric start, it's more than sufficiant for kickstarting, as all it's doing is providing juice for ignition, and no longer (if kicking) a solenoid or starter.
Upping compression and adding a larger cam might change things regarding reliability and ease of kicking, but not too much.
I owned a kick-only bike for years and after awhile, got used to when it needed fuel, no fuel, when to prime it and when not to. It certainly is nice to have in the event of starter failure, but I wouldn't add it and not take care of all the problems related to your current starting problems.
Kickstarting your bike is nice, but nothing beats a button.
Hope some of this helps.....
What pipes clear and don't clear the kicker arm is another issue. Some do. Some don't. Maybe someone can give you better feedback on that, if they've actually added one themselves. It also depends on what bike you're hanging them on.
Your stock battery is fine. If it works well with electric start, it's more than sufficiant for kickstarting, as all it's doing is providing juice for ignition, and no longer (if kicking) a solenoid or starter.
Upping compression and adding a larger cam might change things regarding reliability and ease of kicking, but not too much.
I owned a kick-only bike for years and after awhile, got used to when it needed fuel, no fuel, when to prime it and when not to. It certainly is nice to have in the event of starter failure, but I wouldn't add it and not take care of all the problems related to your current starting problems.
Kickstarting your bike is nice, but nothing beats a button.
Hope some of this helps.....
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
I highly recommend an AGM (absorbed glass matt) battery. They cost twice as much as lead acid but last twice as long, They also have almost twice the cranking amps. I bought one recently and wished I had done it much sooner. That battery is a beast and cranks my 11:1 EVO to life easily with no comp release. Another added advantage is that they are totally sealed and you can get rid of that acid spewing vent tube that tarnishes your chrome.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
Kewl... I thought it could be done, but wasn't sure... looking at a new bike in a bit, a 91... Buttons are nice, but I have this distrust of eccentric, er, electric starters, and kinda like knowing I don't need that little electric motor to start a bike... Now, if it'll just clear the pipes on the bike...
Sus
Sus
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, North Carolina USA
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
For your battery needs consider www.odysseybatteries.com The PC-680MJ is the model you need. Hope this helps.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
You'll need to do something with the electronic ignition if you go kick. Most won't fire from kicking, as they're set up to spark on about the 3rd revolution (IIRC). Several have a switch that causes them to fire on the first revolution when you do the kick routine.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
I have been told by a very good Indy that kick starters on Evo's have been know to lock up the transmission and a good battery is the way to go. I have push started my bike many times before putting out the cash for a good maintenance free battery.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Whitley Bay, North-East England
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
I have a kick-only Evo, butit's a 1985a four-speed from the factory like Vinny's.
For your bike, this is the best available
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...tId=&mmyId=
There are cheaper options in the CCI catalog, but they are made in Korea, etc. You get what you pay for.
Pococj is absolutely correct. As that link above states, you must change your ignition. Get a Crane Hi-4 and set the switch to 'kickstart'. Both button and pedal work on that.
I have the Hi-4. and a kicker. And you know what? Works, so well, i actually threw away all the electric start parts about 5 years ago. Never looked back.
PS: the sealed H-D batteries from the dealership are actually REALLY good.
For your bike, this is the best available
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...tId=&mmyId=
There are cheaper options in the CCI catalog, but they are made in Korea, etc. You get what you pay for.
Pococj is absolutely correct. As that link above states, you must change your ignition. Get a Crane Hi-4 and set the switch to 'kickstart'. Both button and pedal work on that.
I have the Hi-4. and a kicker. And you know what? Works, so well, i actually threw away all the electric start parts about 5 years ago. Never looked back.
PS: the sealed H-D batteries from the dealership are actually REALLY good.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,819
From: Western South Dakota
RE: Adding kick start to a 93 Softail and battery recomendation
Didn't those compression released help that 331? Have you checked out your starter? Man; gotta buddy that has a kick start and sometimes that sucker will take forever to start. Hurts my knee, watching him have to go through it. I would probably not have one if I had to go through all that just to get it started, either that or park by a hill. Forget that kickstart sheet.
Something must be wrong with your charging system, I think.
Something must be wrong with your charging system, I think.