Hitchcocks Forum

All, while out last weekend Bertie kept suffering a floppy kickstart, the return spring couldn't have snapped as the kick start is returning back to its correct position now, but while riding it kept dropping below the exhaust....please does anyone know why this happens ?

Could be the spring but more likely wear on the KS spindle which forms the R/H bearing for the layshaft. It usually only happens in first gear when the torque on the layshaft is highest. Not a huge job to replace as it's about the same complexity as replacing the pawl, and there's a tech note here on how to do that.

Hi guys---------- yes, my Classic 500 does the same if I do a snappy standing start---as per PETER F but I'd wait until another gearbox problem shows itself before opening it up OR--- decide to have a go and incorporate a few mods. whilst at it.(Kick-start pawl for one, and bronze bushes for another)....

Alan,
The bronze bush can be a problem, the ones I have done, once pressed into the kick starter, shrink and I have to take a skim out of the bush with the lathe. Not sure if it is just me so unless the bush really need replacing I would wait.