Kick Starter

[Barlow]

I have a 1975 Wing that I am restoring.
During these winter months I put oil in the cylinders and turn the engine over once in a while using the kick starter.
While doing this a week or so back the kick lever acted like it slipped off a cog and now it is stuck in the down position.
It won't return to its normal position.
So to turn the engine over now I use the battery connected to the frame for ground and touch the cable post on the starter.
The engine will turn but very, very slowly even with the plugs out.
There is nothing in my manual about the kick starter mechanism.
Nothing how to remove it, repair it, just nothing.
If anyone has any knowledge about this I sure would appreciate some help.
Thanks in advance.

Happy trails,
Ben

[kndw]

There is a description on the kickstarter mechanism in my manual, but I must admit it isn't very clear. I recently rebuilt the engine and also dismantled the kickstarter mechanism. As I recall, there are two springs in there, one end slides in a groove and another end fits into a pinhole, but my memory is a bit blurry on this. To mount it in the engine and get it to work, I had to wind the spring a bit, maybe a turn or so. It sounds to me that maybe one of the springs in your engine got loose or broke. Unfortunately you'll have to pull the engine to get at the kick starter assembly.
The electrical starter is a separate system, and I don't think it would be affected by a problem with the kick starter. Could it be that the problem with the electrical starter is due to a dying battery?
Can you put it in gear and turn the engine over by turning the rear wheel?

[Barlow]

Thanks for the info.
Will try a hot battery.

Happy trails,
Ben

[Barlow]

Tried a hot battery but the engine turns over real slow like something is holding it back.
I think maybe something in the kick starter is dragging.
Like you mentioned I'll have to pull the engine to find the problem.
Thanks for the info.

[kndw]

Tried a hot battery but the engine turns over real slow like something is holding it back.
I think maybe something in the kick starter is dragging.
Like you mentioned I'll have to pull the engine to find the problem.
Thanks for the info.

Before you pull the engine: can you turn over the engine when you put it in gear by turning the rear wheel (take the plugs out)?

[Barlow]

Don't know yet.
I'll check that tomorrow.
Let you know.

[DenverWinger]

I bet your starter brushes are worn out. When that happens the starter runs very slowly and pulls a horrendous amount of current. It is a very simple and inexpensive fix...

[kndw]

Yes, that's what I suspect too... and you can test that by trying to turn the wheel. If it does turn, that would mean that the engine at least isn't blocked.

However, it doesn't explain why the kickstarterplug is hanging in the down position. For that you probably will have to pull the engine. Eventually.

[keithwaz]

Did you ever find the problem of the kickstarter pointing down? I just rebuilt my GL1000 and I’m having the same problem. I can ratchet it up by hand but when I start the motor with the electric starter, it turns the kickstart mechanism to the down position.