Just picked up a 74 sportster. Having trouble figuring out the whole kickstarting thing. Went to start it cold, gave it one stroke on the throttle kicked it through a few times ignition off. Then full choke and one kick fired right off. Ran for a minute or so and I turned the choke off too early so it quit. Couldn’t get it restarted to save my life. Any advice on what to do?
It is an old wives fable to leave the ignition off as you just eliminated a posable start.
Stupid idea and i never did use that one.
It is oft recommended by people that have no clue about how things work.
In NO other application, I know of does one waste their energy. .
If you have the stock carb with the accelerator pump,
do full choke about 3 big squirts with the throttle and vigorously KICK with a lot of of verve!
Kick it with throttle about 1/4.
when she bust to live immediately keep twisting the throttle a little so to give it a few more squirts as
you move the choke about 1/2 way or less for a little warm up.
It seems each bike has a little bit of personality in that area.
It is an old wives fable to leave the ignition off as you just eliminated a posable start.
Stupid idea and i never did use that one.
It is oft recommended by people that have no clue about how things work.
In NO other application, I know of does one waste their energy. .
If you have the stock carb with the accelerator pump,
do full choke about 3 big squirts with the throttle and vigorously KICK with a lot of of verve!
Kick it with throttle about 1/4.
when she bust to live immediately keep twisting the throttle a little so to give it a few more squirts as
you move the choke about 1/2 way or less for a little warm up.
It seems each bike has a little bit of personality in that area.
Its got an S&S super E on it and still has points ignition. Still trying to figure this thing out, I’ll give your advice a try!
3, 13 or 30 tries to kick-start is what the old guys used to tell me, when I bought my first shovel. every one has it's little quirks. once you get 'em figured out it's all gravy. after that... the good news is, 99% of scumbags will never be able to just walk up, kick it over and ride off.
I think that's when you're supposed to go back into the bar and have another beer. After the beer, you go thru the starting ritual from the beginning.
^^ True this^^
I recall long ago a crowd would gather outside the bar watching me kick my axx off attempting to start my old Sporty. No go and back to the bar for another beer.
10-27-2018, 05:36 PM
74 Ironhead Kickstarting
