kick vs electric start

dtkid · Posted: July 25, 2006, 10:43 am Post subject: kick vs electric start

The 79' 650-Special I have been re-furbing is nearly complete. A quick question:

The bike will start if I kick it but not with the starter. I thought my battery was good (freshly charged). Is there any reason other than a less than strong battery that would cause the bike to prefer to start with the kick-start instead of the starter?

royfisk · Posted: July 25, 2006, 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

Does the starter make any noise at all?

Peke · Full Member Joined: Jun 30, 2006 Posts: 27

I'd say just kick it.

Electrical start on a XS is a crime imo.

kingwj · Posted: July 26, 2006, 5:54 am Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

The battery needs to be 110% for the starter to be dependable. I find my starter to be OK when cold starting but less so when the bike is hot.

I wouldn't lose sleep over it, after all they kept kick start for a reason.

dtkid · Posted: July 26, 2006, 9:36 am Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

I agree that kickin' is the way to go. That is my only disappointment with my Suzukis'; for whatever reason they discontinued the kick-start.

To answer the questions raised: the starter does indeed work. It turns the crank at a really high rate but the machine won't fire. I can only get it to fire when I kick it. It seemed strange to me. Thanks for the replies.

jayel · Posted: July 26, 2006, 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

Starter relay or starter safty switch not making contact, check them out

Peke · Full Member Joined: Jun 30, 2006 Posts: 27

Remember that the electical start eats a great amount of batterypower.

Kickstart doesnt so more power for the sparkplugs to fire the old lady.

Cheers
Peke

dtkid · Posted: July 27, 2006, 8:40 am Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

Peke:

Thanks.....that makes good sense to me.

grizld1 · Posted: July 27, 2006, 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: kick vs electric start

Peke's right on target there, dtkid. Cleaning up contacts does a lot, especially battery ground and the solenoid-to-starter motor cable. I replaced both of those with heavier-gauge copper wire; made a major difference. I also ditched the safety relay and installed a toggle switch to cut the pushbutton lead in and out manually.

That having been said, if my right leg weren't a bit of a mess from an old crash, I'd be running without electric start and shaving 12 pounds or so of gears and starter motor off my scoot like I used to do! As it is, I need that button, much as I hate it.

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