Starting a new thread to get some new juices flowing here. I purchased a 1977 Super Glide last saturday. Bike runs and rides well enough. I have been slowly but steadily learning about the bike, shovelheads in general. The latest twist in the saga is trying to learn the art of kick starting, and trying to determine why this bike refuses to kick over. Ive seen / read a lot of theory on the matter. It is my understanding that old bikes, especially ones with stock ignitions (points) are very fickle and unique in how each wants to be started. I have attempted using several different strategies in the handful of times I have attempted kicking the bike over cold and the thing just doesnt respond, at best a cough over even an extremely late combustion several seconds after the kick as occured. I have tried kicking it with a few squirts from the accellerator pump and four priming kick. I have tried priming it with just the enricher on. I have tried no squirts and no primer kicks. The few times I have gotten the bike to kick over was after it was ran, parked, and left cool for an hour or so, and only then did it just barely get going. If I use the E start it needs to crank a good few seconds but then fires up and will idle great ice cold with no enrichener or baby sitting of the throttle.

The bike has fresh premium gas and brand new correctly gapped spark plugs. I also did a little poking around and confirmed the P/O claim it has an electronic ignition.



The basic research I have done thus far has informed me that this module is a pretty common and popular ignition module sold under several different brands including Twin Tec Model 1005 and Zipper Thunderbolt. Per the current settings, the P/O has it set on a Race advance curve, dual fire ignition according to the manual I have procured via the interwebs.

All of the kick start nonsense aside, I would say that objectively the bike runs pretty well. Third and Fourth gear the bike seems like an absolute pooch, but first and second seem pretty peppy.

Thanks for any input

Jon C

Edit : Per twin tecs website - "The Model 1005 is primarily intended for electric start applications. However, Rev 7.0 units (manufactured after January, 2006) can be programmed for kick start mode by using our PC Link Evo software and optional USB interface. If you order on-line, you can add a note stating that you require kick start capability and we will program the unit for you at no extra cost. When programmed for kick start mode, the unit has zero cranking delay and a 30 second timeout before coil current shutoff"

 

Probably will need to retard the timing some if you want to kick start it.

 

I have been browsing around some more. It appears these ignition modules are computer programmable. Correct me if I am wrong anyone, but I think that this module would have to be physically removed and either programmed by myself or by a shop specifically for kick starting. If the module is setup for E start a person kicking the the engine will not turn the motor fast enough to get the module to fire the plugs.


The only thread ive found regarding this particular module gives it a bad review.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...on-mudule.html

 

You can download the manual here: https://www.denniskirk.com/dk/pdf/in.../dk2010857.pdf You may be able to adjust with the dials on the unit, I don't really know. I had a similar unit on my 1973 Sportster and if I wanted to kick start it, it liked to be retarded.

The original ignition and points where ok; however the mechanical advance would stick in the advance position because the grease would harden, then it would be a bitch to start, both kicking and e start, broke a couple of started gears before I figured it out as the advance was behind the points plate.

#9 on the mode says Kick Start from the manual. Also looks like the wiring and coil would need to be signal fire not dual. Hope this helps.

 

that ignition like most today have forgone the idea of someone is going to be kicking the bike over

that like many ignitions today has a built in dead rev < and that means it does not turn its self on till the engine is spinning on the electric starter

some you can turn that off and i dont believe that ignition has the ability to use on a kick only or dual machine kick and electric

 

Isn't this where a Dyna S or a old Compufire will work really well?

 

The Ultima 5364 has a zero dead rev setting for kick starting

 

Or... even the Early Crane... problem is most folks will Not keep the mechanical advance unit in good Shape..
Good Place for Stock V-fire 2 or 3 ignition...IMO... Nothing Simpler!!! especially the 2 without VOES

 

Yeah I hear you there, my brother-in-law's first Harley was a 73 Sporty and he had a hell of a time kicking that thing over, come to find out the advance was frozen advanced which was making it near possible to kickstart. They do like to be retarded, literally not sarcastically.... lol...

 

Thank you everyone for the replies. Here’s what I am thinking. I emailed Dennis Kirk who sells the module to confirm whether the thing will have to be reprogrammed via computer or not. If it does then I will possibly order one of those USB cables and download the tuner program. Other option is a go to the local shop after work, show them a picture of the module, and see if they are familiar with and would want to turn off that dead rotation feature for me for what ever fee they charge.