Hitchcocks Forum

Hi,could you tell me if by kick starting my 08 electa x,haveing a backfire would damage the sprag gears.allways kick start from cold.starter moter turns but dont engage, could the layup made it sticky.runs ok no noises.what do you think, thanks.

Many a sprag has met it's end that way, and I'm afraid it sounds like yours has too. I always use electric start and, touch wood, never had a problem but the failed Sprag Clutch Club is very popular and my membership is almost certain soon!

Just one kickback can send a sprag for an early shower. Even using the electric start, the engine can be trying to kick back but you may not realise because the spray is stopping the kick back. This strains the sprag just the same. The cure is to get the timing correct.

Come on Val, you're among friends, you can tell us what's on your mind

Thanks frank and peteF.just one 0ther thing,do bits fall into the chaincase/clutch, and is it safe to use the bike for a while(week).chaincase off and a clean out first.thanks again,val.

Thanks frank and peteF.just one 0ther thing,do bits fall into the chaincase/clutch, and is it safe to use the bike for a while(week).chaincase off and a clean out first.thanks again,val.

Val total guess as to should you run it or not. Probably ok because you have had it running and probably the sprag is still intact, but if a bit breaks off and gets caught in the chain then that can turn ugly

Hi guys----------- well someone's got to "Man-up" and tell him.. Just the new sprag alone is £60-ish, plus labour if it's a Mechanic's fitting job...Why not remove it entirely using our hosts parts made for this situation, and learn to use the kick-starter for starting and the de-compressor for stopping ??....This leaves you with a nice, heavy duty battery and a switch and solenoid for maybe some spotlights, air horns etc. ??