Kicker problems on Shovelhead
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 18
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From: Stanley, NC
Kicker problems on Shovelhead
'82 FLT TourGlide Shovel - added a kick starter. Dyna S dual fire ignition, S&S heads, S&S carb - newly rebuilt. Timing is set on the mark. Valve adjustment has been checked and looks right. Runs good going down the road. If it pops and doesn't start (hot or cold) you might as well give up and hit the electric starter. The engine can feel real tight when hot. Not sure if it's my technique, or if the ignition timing needs modified, but I've about given up on kicking it. It'll start right up with the electric. It has new plugs and wires. I've recently had better results cold using the choke (mixture lever) on the S&S, but even with that it's not consistent. It just doesn't seem to be getting a strong spark, or maybe not enough air? I think I've got plenty of fuel. Any suggestions?https://www.hdforums.com/forum/image...s/icon_eek.gif
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
E's can be a bit touchy about hot motors and the kicker and it seems they tune just a bit different on each bike. Mine I have to give it a shot and hold about 1/4 throttle and it's still hit & miss some days.
Check the timing you could be a hair advanced too.
Check the timing you could be a hair advanced too.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Florida
I don't primer kick at all when it's hot...starts 1 kick just about every time with the throttle 1/4 open.... but I have cv40 though.
Last edited by Snydcat; Sep 8, 2016 at 07:33 AM.
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 18
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From: Stanley, NC
@E-Cigrettman
I haven't been kicking it through with the switch off at all, hot or cold. That sounds like something I need to start trying. I may try to retard the spark a little too. It's just weird how I might get one good pop, and if it doesn't start then, it seems like it will never pop again, so by then I'm out of breath, sweating, and glad to sit down and just push the button, and kaboom, it's running.
I haven't been kicking it through with the switch off at all, hot or cold. That sounds like something I need to start trying. I may try to retard the spark a little too. It's just weird how I might get one good pop, and if it doesn't start then, it seems like it will never pop again, so by then I'm out of breath, sweating, and glad to sit down and just push the button, and kaboom, it's running.
Funny how what use to be everyday, is now much harder. Yea I went out to my 80 FXB a while back and thought all was good right up to the point she almost put me over the seat, yea it hurt my knee. 2 more kicks and she was golden.
Point proved, now I just push the button.
After 30 years I remember why electric start is not bad at all.
Point proved, now I just push the button.
After 30 years I remember why electric start is not bad at all.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
@E-Cigrettman
I haven't been kicking it through with the switch off at all, hot or cold. That sounds like something I need to start trying. I may try to retard the spark a little too. It's just weird how I might get one good pop, and if it doesn't start then, it seems like it will never pop again, so by then I'm out of breath, sweating, and glad to sit down and just push the button, and kaboom, it's running.
I haven't been kicking it through with the switch off at all, hot or cold. That sounds like something I need to start trying. I may try to retard the spark a little too. It's just weird how I might get one good pop, and if it doesn't start then, it seems like it will never pop again, so by then I'm out of breath, sweating, and glad to sit down and just push the button, and kaboom, it's running.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
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From: Oxford, Nc
I doubt that you're flooding it, but the next time is goes past 4 or 5 tries hot, turn the ignition off, open the throttle wide and kick it through 3 times , holding the throttle open wide. Then turn the ignition on and kick it through with minimal throttle opening. It sounds counter intuitive, kicking through with the throttle open, but that method is supposed to clear the cylinders for the next try at starting. (Don't twist the throttle at all once you've opened it up during this time, so that the accelerator pump isn't squirting fuel while you're 'clearing the cylinders.')
(That's an aftermarket kick starter kit. I wonder if it's got enough ratio to turn the motor aggressively enough?)
(That's an aftermarket kick starter kit. I wonder if it's got enough ratio to turn the motor aggressively enough?)
Last edited by Stiggy; Sep 8, 2016 at 06:55 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
check the cyntrifical unit behind the S it could be sticking when its hot, they dont like some lubes to be put on them, and that causes a draging and it ends up being too much timing reason it pops