Hitchcocks Forum

Hi
Having problems kick starting my 2008 bullet elextra -x , don't really need to use kickstart but its fun

Have managed to get it kickstarted ok , however obviously I have not got the right technique as its always hard work

The bike does not have a amp meter gauge as its a special model with rev & speedo

Any tips would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

I Have Found Other People Electra (& My AVL 350 Electra) easyier to Kick start than My Classic 350/500.
Now, all i do, Is Tickle Carb/Or Micarb On, (One Kick Ing off, De Comp Open IF 1st of the Day) Then Feel (On Kickstart)for Comp, Ing on, Twist grip Slight 1/2" open then: KICK Down firm but Sure (If on center stand I Just transfer Me Body weight) and a way I go..... Now I Know In Original form electras Have a CV Carb & Other than a Priming Kick (Ing Off) I can Not Really remember a Problem..... Compared To Classic's Old Brits, Jawa's Cossacks."Bloody Triumph's".And other tat (Sorry Highly Collectable Bikes that I have Owned).................. SO Put New Plug IN, Charge Battery, One Prime, then a GOOD KICK, With a Blip of the throttle.....And if she dont start.... i Will give you a £10 Tenner for her......Good Look..Craig

thanks for the reply

What I have a problem is is feeling for compression to ensure @ TDC

When I do get piston at right place starts really easy , trouble is its by luck at the moment

Trouble is I can't really feel compression

What I am doing is fuel on de-compression on a couple of gentle kicks

then try and feel for compression ( which I can't)

Then decompression off , ignition on and kick

It's my fault , not the bike as never owned a kick starter before

do I have to feel for compression with de-compression off or should you be able to feel with de-compression on ?

Cheers Steve

Steve, if I'm reading you right you're feeling for compression with the decomressor on? Errrr.... you won't feel the compression 'cos you have the decompressor on!! Decompressor on = no compression.

Stevg.. "Next time Just Fuel on, Ing Off ,press kick-starter down till you can feel some resistance,let Kick-starter return to the Top.Ing ON..Then Just Kick Firm & Twist the throttle a bit." Keep it Simple :0)
If Engine is warm No Primeing Just 1st Kick...(Lastly By Kick,We mean a Firm Push Down,,Try it on Centrer stand 1st Till you have mastered it)

cheers for the replies

sorry for being a muppet

I was confused when I read online (does not take much

*Note for Electra or owners of bikes with electronic ignitions
With an electronic ignition the ammeter will not dip as stated above because it has no ignition points to draw current. Instead you want to move the kickstarter so that the bike is at the top of the compression stoke (not the exhaust stroke). With the decompresser open you will hear a rush of air coming from the decompresser as the piston rises on the compression stroke. An alternative method it to leave the decompresser shut and kick the bike until you meet stiff resistance. Then you must open the decompresser for a moment to relieve the pressure before you attempt to kick start the bike.

Hi Steveg. I only use the decompressor on my Electra X to kick a bit of oil around the engine prior to startup - I don't use it to find top dead centre. To find TDC, leave the decrompressor alone and kick the engine slowly through compression. Just when the resistance disappears, you should feel some bouncy feedback through the kickstart, and possibly hear a few minor clicking sounds. Stop kicking now, this is TDC! Ignition on and give it a mighty kick to start the bike.

Thanks Robin that just what I needed to know

Regards Steve

Success ! from warm bike starts fine on kickstart

Not had much success kicking from cold , but will keep trying

Thanks again for all the help

Cheers Steve