kick start?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Twin Cities,Mn.
I would have to agree.My "road side assistance" consists of my sons godfather-he doesn't really know too much about bikes,but he can push or run for parts!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I guess you could test that theory by trying to push start your bike.
You would also have to make sure that the electronic ignition module has a "kick-start" setting. Most ignition modules wait till the motor turns over a couple of revs before actually sending a spark to to the plugs. With a kick-starter you do this manually by kicking it over a couple of times with the switch off so as to prime the cylinders, then get the kicker on the compression stroke, flip the ignition switch to ON and give it a good kick. If everything is perfect it will start, if not then you'll work up a good sweat kicking and fiddling with the throttle position, choke setting etc. The old saying in the panhead forums is that the number of kicks that it takes to start it is proportional to the number of people standing around watching you.
When I first got my 57 panhead the tuning was SO messed up that I would do almost anything to avoid having to hot start it after it had been running a while. I would fill it up from a gas can at home before heading out, or I would leave it running when I filled it up at a gas station. A couple of times I had to resort to asking someone to give me a push start.
By the time I got rid of the 57 I had the tuning dialed in and I knew her moods well enough that I could usually hot start it on ONE kick.
You would also have to make sure that the electronic ignition module has a "kick-start" setting. Most ignition modules wait till the motor turns over a couple of revs before actually sending a spark to to the plugs. With a kick-starter you do this manually by kicking it over a couple of times with the switch off so as to prime the cylinders, then get the kicker on the compression stroke, flip the ignition switch to ON and give it a good kick. If everything is perfect it will start, if not then you'll work up a good sweat kicking and fiddling with the throttle position, choke setting etc. The old saying in the panhead forums is that the number of kicks that it takes to start it is proportional to the number of people standing around watching you.
When I first got my 57 panhead the tuning was SO messed up that I would do almost anything to avoid having to hot start it after it had been running a while. I would fill it up from a gas can at home before heading out, or I would leave it running when I filled it up at a gas station. A couple of times I had to resort to asking someone to give me a push start.
By the time I got rid of the 57 I had the tuning dialed in and I knew her moods well enough that I could usually hot start it on ONE kick.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Guy I met at the BBBBQ rally last week with the 84 soft tail kicked his bike to start it. Starter went out years ago and he never bothered fixing it. We was real old school. He also was running points. My friend with a Evo chopper he built did successfully kick start it once. He had a 49 Pan. He knows all about kicking. I think the electronic ignition and higher (relatively) compression of an Evo make kicking fairly difficult. One of my friend's rules of riding in a pack is "kick start only start their bikes first."
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
My first Harley was a kick-start shovel I bought new. I saved money by not buying the starter version. I would have got that investment back many times over if I had not been so tight! In 20 years ownership the only starter problem I have had with my evo was a failed starter clutch, which I replaced. It will be a darned nuisance when it gives out next time, but that kick starter also let me down! A bush came adrift inside and prevented the dogs engaging. So neither system is perfect!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
No way I would want to go back to kick-start. The electronics and starters on our Harley's have greatly improved over the years.
I don't know if a kick-start could be added to the EFI models or not. I've never seen one, so who knows.
I'll use the electric start and if that fails at a bad time....I'll push start the SOB. I have push started the FLHTCUI twice.....and it started fine. However, the check engine light came on for awhile before going off. At least the EFI bikes can be push started or at least mine can anyways.
I don't know if a kick-start could be added to the EFI models or not. I've never seen one, so who knows.
I'll use the electric start and if that fails at a bad time....I'll push start the SOB. I have push started the FLHTCUI twice.....and it started fine. However, the check engine light came on for awhile before going off. At least the EFI bikes can be push started or at least mine can anyways.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
i rode a full summer on my 72flh with a bad starter..got really good at kicking..i rode a 76 goldwingfor a while, the starter was bad when i bought it and they wanted more for a replacement then i paid for the bike.. i kickstarted that bike for 3 years..only the first few years had a kicker,it kicked out away from the bike.. took some practice..
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 309
Likes: 2
From: Tegucigalpa
Well.. push starting is a good option if u still have charge in ur battery not like it happened to me some time ago :S
will the kick start work inspite of that? I think not... correct me if I'm wrong..
will the kick start work inspite of that? I think not... correct me if I'm wrong..