is it possible to put a kick start

I want to put a kick start on my xj750 does anyone know if its possible? ??

 

If you are a millionaire or a wizard in the following arts of metallurgy, mold making, foundry, machining and mathematics.

To explain, you would have to redesign the engine cases, you would need complex mathematical formulas, these would help you figure out what the gear ratios for the kick start gear and idler would be not to mention the geometry that is required to properly place the shafts and bearings and shims and seals.

Then you would need a foundry and molds to cast the new cases, then a machine shop to carve the new parts into what you need. Is it possible? yah, but definetly not at all worth pondering. One question come to mind... WHY? If you want to kick start somethin' get an old Harley.

 

Haha oh man why can't I be rich haha. But yeah I just wanted to do something a lil different with mine. But thanks for the advice

 

I'm with you TA2, I like kick-starting my bikes. Pushing a button just isn't the same. Back in the day, when they were all kickers, a guy took pride in being able to start his bike in any weather in one or two kicks which showed that it was well tuned. Now, I hear guys leaning on their starters to the point of smoke yet they have no idea what they are doing to their windings....or how to tune their bikes!

jeff

 

I'm researching an alternative to electric starting - -

start me up

 

Ok,Ok, I get what you guys are looking for, and why you are looking for it. But I get the very same pride from pushing my starter button for mere seconds until it fires right up. Both of my beemers had a kick starter, and they were dialed in so good that I didn't even need to go full stroke on the kick to start them. And yes I too miss the days when it was common to see some poor hog rider repeatedly jumping up and down on his kick starter, now that's entertainment!

 

thanks JeffK you know what i mean, im going to do more research in it and find a way to toss a kick starter on the xj, ive already done quite a bit to my bike, ineed to post pics, but yeah im going old school with it.

 

TtR, that's something that my son would find "cool as heck"......he's a lot like his dad LOL

 

Unfortunately, because of the way the engine drives the clutch and the clutch drives the trans, I don't know where in the "drivetrain" you would be able to engage a kickstart gear that would have enough "advantage" ratio-wise to spin the motor fast enough to fire it.

The biggest challenge is the fact that the trans is "buried" in the cases; it's not like a pre-unit Britbike (or even a "unit" Triumph) with a separate transmission.

Good luck; let us know if you figure someting out, even theoretically.

 

Let me make this perfectly clear, the short answer is NO. I'm sorry if the answer is disappointing, but it's just not possible due to the impracticalities involved.

 

Hey, you never know.

 

some bikes had both kick and electric, i think there would be enough room in the clutch cover to bolt on a fake kick lever, and a switch so when you folded the foot part out it hits the starter
you don't really want to have to kick it, do you?
or you could take out the starter and make something that goes in the hole with a kicker on the end, they made bikes with left kickers too.
or a model T crank maybe

 

No electric starter here; I consider it an anti-theft device. If you don't know how to properly kick-start a big twin, you'll never get it lit.

Mine starts on the first kick, still. Note kick starter lever attached directly to transmission. (Note large distance between engine and transmission.)

 

Oh come on who doesn't miss cranking on a kick starter till you're tired and then jumping up for leverage and missing with your foot but finding the lever with your shin! Timeless painful fun.

Theoretically (cause forget practically) where the current starter engages would seem the only place you could go to, but you would have to make the electric un-engage & you would need some serious gearing to create enough spin - don't know where those gears would go or how you would seal it all up. hmmm...well not impossible but P.D.Near.

Isn't this a little bit like wanting to replace your disc brakes with drums?

 

Hmmm. Must have been that Honda. I've never had that problem myself; but there is a certain knack to lighting up a British twin (or a single with compression release, for a whole NEW level of fun.)

I have to agree though, due to the design it wouldn't really be practical on any of the shaft-driven XJs. It might be slightly more feasible on the 550/600 (chain primary) series motors.

But it would cost 3X what the bike is worth, if not more.

 

I LOVE your Norton Fitz. Is it all stock? I found out the other day that my dad's isn't. He put in electric start (said it is 100% worth the cost, tho i kinda like the idea of kick starting too) hes got a europen front end too. and the rear fender is off of something else.

 

My Norton is almost completely stock and original except for things like the rear shocks and other teeny details.

Electric start wasn't something that was "added" the Nortons came with it for 1975, the last year the Commando was made. Unless he swapped the motor, primary and trans, it had to have been a '75. Mine is a '74, the last year for pure kick starting and right-hand shift. My bike is a very early '74, so it incorporates a lot of "officially" 1973 parts, (including the "good" head with bigger valves and intake ports.) And the cool mufflers.

*** forum courtesy tip: When quoting somebody who has a picture in their post, knock out the "" so the picture doesn't get re-posted in the quote.***

 

Well for once I get to teach the master a lesson.

In the early 90's when my dad picked this bike up, he was in his favorite parts shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba... Robin's Motorcycle Sales talking to the old man who ran the place about his Norton. The guy told him that he had an Electric start conversion kit for it. So he picked it up and installed it. It should still work today.

Im sure this isn`t the EXACT kit that he bought, but it should follow the same idea.

http://www.oldbritts.com/starter.html

And thanks for the courtesy tip. Sorry bout`that

 

The kick starter on a BMW, until it was eliminated in 1975, was attached to the tranny as well and it was impossible to knock your shin with that design.

Wait a minute! STOP THE PRESSES! I may have just thought of a solution...
1. Remove the electric starter.

2. Using the pinion gear from the starter and mount it to the end of a sturdy shaft which is long enough to extend out from the left of the engine.

3. Attach or weld shaft supports to the case where the starter used to be mounted. The new kick start gear would engage with the starter clutch.
( I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner)

4. At the operator end there would have to have a ratchet that's spring loaded and the foot lever and pedal.

I take it all back, this is the way it could possibly be done. You would have to ascertain what direction the starter turns; CW you would kick rearward, CCW you kick forward and you would have to have the ratchet machined accordingly.

 

;^)