got a 71 ironhead the kicker slips a lot seldom engages what in all would cause that its ele 2 battery is weak but when warm it would start on 2nd or 3rd kick or pull primary off an look any help woodb great thanks

 

on the back of the clutch shell is a ring of teeth that match with a sprocket with teeth also. If the matching teeth are worn they won't grab and the kicker will slip. The other place to check is the brass bushing. If the bushing is worn the mating surfaces (teeth) won't align properly and the kicker will slip.

 

There are detailed instructions for dismantling, inspecting, repairing in the factory service manual 99484-78.

 

wvhh..... in addition, have a careful read of PG's posts over here -> https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ironh...k-my-knee.html

PG provides a very good explanation of the slippage phenomenon.

 

>got a 71 ironhead the kicker slips a lot seldom engages what in all would cause that its
>ele 2 battery is weak but when warm it would start on 2nd or 3rd kick or pull primary off
>an look any help woodb great thanks

English, please.

 

got it tore down an the starter clutch i think riveted 2 the clutch hub was broke in 3 pcs is there anyplace 2 buy 1 i go a 76 motor and the shifter is on the right the primary looks the same would the clutch hub fit thanks

 

Clutch sprocket assembly is the same for 71 to 78 plus some. I think the rivited piece is the starter ratchet, part number 33379-71A same from 71 to E79. You can find parts schematics on BikeBandit.com

 

I am in the process of re-building a 69 XLCH. When I bought it the clutch was a really hard pull and the Kicker slipped. As I dis-mantled the primary drive I had several problems, but one was the starter clutch gear was worn and the gear with the brass spacer and bearing had play in it. So, I am replacing all the bad parts. My problem is finding a machine shop to install the rivets . I have replaced Tranny bearings (mainshaft had play too). I would just suggest if anything is loose, fix it. This bike is 42 years old, the bearing I replaced was made in USA, so, probably origional, as well as the clutch hub gear. I saw a kicker gear replacement kit on Dennis Kirk for less than 50...good price, got mine from V-twin for 90

 

Where are you located? You might find some help here ...

Recommended IronHead Mechanics

 

The mechanics of operation of a sportster kickstart do allow for....

Kickback that may or may not lift or injure a person, dependant of forces involved(weight of person, compression, timing, etc)
Leg breakage(depends how tough your leg is).
There is nothing in the design of the mechanism that would provide for an absolute safeguard against that, so it would never be possible to say it could not or never happen.

I once saw a man thrown COMPLETELY over the handlebars(tumbled over them, landed on his back, legs facing the way the bike was pointing). It was a 350 brit single. For the longest time he kept saying it would never have believed it, except that it happened to him.

If the kickstart should slip(as does happen sometimes) you may or may not suffer an injury. It is not possible to make a definitive statement regarding that. Entire buildings collapse, and some get out with barely a bruise. So common sense dictates that there is no way of knowing.

I personally have had a few sportster kickstarts slip on me, and have never had any injury as a result.