Hitchcocks Forum

I feel like a bit of a bad smell around here but here goes.... Roy has started making a strange sound when I move the kickstart lever, it's not noticeable above engine noise but when priming engine it sounds like a winding and clicking, sort of like loading a crossbow with a windlass, I'll post a video later perhaps if I can't get to the bottom of it. It started after I took the alternator rotor nut off and stopped it using a piece of wood, checked chain tension, think it may be either gear box or primary chain? Any similar experience? Thanks

This might be too obvious but, it's not the normal ratchet sound when returning KS to top? Or are you moving it down when engine is running? In which case don't! It does make that sound if you do that!
Ray.

Braz, another thought, you say you loosened alternator nut, could it be the rotor catching on the stator?

By the way, can't smell a thing!

Ray.

Thanks Ray, no the sound is prior to starting and it happens when the kickstart is being moved downward, if I move it in small increments I get the sound slower. Rotor catching on stator sounds likely. The mechanic who I got to check Roy over thought it might be a gear box noise but I'm not so sure! Thanks man!

Hi Brazillia , could it be coming from clutch area as had similar sound and turned out to be the clutch basket
Sliding too far along shaft and grinding against the clutch oil seal bolts and depositing shrapnel into chain case oil.
Our hosts sell a replacement spacer ( basket needs turning down to accept it) and worked a treat for me !
Cheers

Could just be the return spring grating against something. I'd pop the outer cover off and have a look and listen. If the spring is about to break its good to catch it early as having the kick start lever hanging down makes it difficult to ride.