Modding for a kick-starter.

Hello everyone,
Picked up my '81 XJ650H Maxim late this summer for $200. The more I work on it, the more work it needs(if you know what I mean.) It's been nickel and dimeing me to death, but at this point it is a matter of pride and the bike is not going to beat me lol. I figure that even if I drop quite a bit more on it, when I get it where it deserves to be it will serve me well.
Now for the question:
I was wondering,what would be involved in making the bike so that it can be started with a kick-starter? I am pretty sure that modding the current starter is out of the question. I am guessing that I would need to find a compatible starter from another bike that has both an electric and kick starter, then install it in place of the current one. I am also thinking that it might be a hell of a lot more in depth than that, so I am asking BEFORE I start down that road.(you guys already saved me from a case of The Pods)
At this point I have access to basic tools(standard handy man tools, workbench, sockets, wrenches, propane torch, etc), and nothing fancy. I am planning to get the necessary tools and tackle the carbs and other such maintenance in the off season, and I am wondering if this is a viable project, and if so, what is involved. Any advice would be appreciated.
Marko

 

It's not possible unless you redesign the crankcase housing. If you want kick start get an XS750 or SR500.

 

Other than an emergency where your battery goes dead, I can't think of any reason to add a kickstarter to a street bike. I had a Honda XR-80 when I was a kid, and that thing bit me so many times.

 

The muscles in my thumb are stronger than the muscles in my leg!

 

i would definitely put a kick start on mine if it wasnt difficult. theyre awesome.

 

If you wanted to make it the primary, you could make something up using the starter fittings...LHS kickstart.

 

LOL start running and put it in second. Instant kick start!!

 

It's easy just kick ol' lady off have her push tada "kick start".

 

The bike's not designed to kick start and there is no mod available to concert it to a kick start machine.

That would be a job for Ethan Hunt and his I-M-F Team ... but, I doubt they'd be able to modify it for kick starting; too!

 

Actually if you look at the starter diagram on oldbikebarn.com it _could_ be done but you'd have to:

1) Completely mill a new starter end.

2) Design a complete kick-start gear assembly and kick-start lever.

3) Mill and construct said assembly.

4) Learn to kick-start the bike from the lefthand side. (Provided his motor has it facing the same way as mine. http://www.terminalcore.net/gallery/My_ ... s/IMG_0142 )

5) Hope you've designed it well enough so it won't throw you over the bike or break an ankle.

OR

1) Remove and replace the starter with one that has gearing on the end and is considerably longer.

2) Design a kick-start gear assembly and kick start lever that attaches to the longer shaft and will extend out the right side of the bike.

3) Mill and construct said assembly.

4) Hope you've designed it well enough so it won't throw you over the bike or break an ankle.


Either prospect would cost you more than a new different model bike with a kick-start.

(This is provided you don't have a Star Trek style replicator lying around somewhere in which case we'd have to steal it from you for the betterment of humanity.) :wink: