Hitchcocks Forum

Hi norm ,or anyone else who would like to contribute.
This afternoon i ran an insulated wire across the terminals of the solenoid as instructed. The result was a loud whirring noise from the engine case but it did not turn over the engine (took the plug out just in case).
What next?
This is probably going to be the expensive option knowing my luck.

Hi Chris, not knowing any history on the bike the sprag is either shot or been removed, until you pull the primary you will not know. No point in worrying about the electrical side as per your original post which was all the bridging the solonoid was to prove

Thanks norm,i knew it would be the expensive option,i bet the sprag has been removed,it span a little to freely with absolutely no resistance at all and no other noises.Do you know if our hosts sell a beefed up or improved version?
Wont be able to start any investigation for a few days now back to work but ill let you know how i get on,thanks for the advice and help.
regards chris.

Hi SPENCE -------- Save yourself a whole load of grief (Mental and fiscal) by NOT re-fitting a sprag clutch....A beefed-up one only makes matters worse rather than better... Why not get used to the kick starter and the technique needed?....Our hosts do a conversion pack back to non-starter mode....Enjoy the extra-capacity battery ---- use the button/solenoid to power some air horns etc ??

yea maybe your right alan i was hoping for a quick fix of some minor electric problem then use it till it blows up!Had a couple of stalls at traffic lights last year has to be said i was trying to pull away in the wrong gear so my fault but annoying just the same when you have to go through the starting procedure at the head of a queue,the button would have come in very handy then.I will give it some thought.
Cheers chris.

Chris, not worth it, you will probably find the gears as well as the sprag have been removed, too hard to try finding all the bits. Many have replaced sprags over the years, sometimes up to 3 times before owners have given up

Hi matey !!------------- if you have the 4-speed box try to get into a routine of coasting up to the traffic in front in 2nd then use the NEUTRAL finder as you come to a halt....Takes a small bit of practice but worth the effort in the end.....

My Sprague seems to be indestructible I've used it everyday no special care just turn of the key to stop and press to go for the past 9 years waiting for it to break so I can have an excuse too remove it and that ugly bulge on the primary but im not going to do it to it fails. So far Ive gone though 3 solonoids and three batterys but the sprauge is still going strong.

There's always an exception to every rule Paul, but generally those sprags are a fair pile of s***e. They should have used a Bendix.