Hitchcocks Forum

I took my '89 350 for a long run this morning, and as I returned home i noticed that the kickstarter was moving back under acceleration and forward on the overrun. Also there was a bit of bearingy sort of noise coming, I presume from the gearbox. What do you reckon, anyone? I always regard the gearbox as a bit of a can of worms, greasy ones at that. I have never opened it up all the time I have had the bike, and possibly no -one else has, so it has a right to complain, but I don't relish major work just now as I have no garage!

First Thoughts are The Old Cold Weather "Kick Start" Enfield Habit..Not a Problem Dont Worry...(Till An Expert Comes Along) ;0).... Enjoy P/s I have Found a Few Gearbox Probs can be Done with out entering the deep inside..so dont panic ...

John it may be that as Craig mentions the cold weather may be solidifying the grease in the gear box causing drag between the lay shaft and starter shaft..

In the first instance it would be worth topping up the box with 20w-50w oil just to make the grease a little more liquified, if you get my meaning..

If the box is original and untouched then you may need to pencil in a days maintenance for the spring..

Could be time to replace the kickstart to layshaft bushing which is probably worn, number 33 on diagram..

Also tidy up the kick start pawl whilst your in there.. In the mean time just hook the kicker up with a piece of bicycle inner tube if it won't behave..

Wont do any harm and its annoying when the kicker keeps catching the back of your leg as you shut off the throttle...

Don't worry about it moving back and forth most of them do it, you only ever notice it if the kicker is touching your calf, move the kicker back one tooth on the spline and you won't notice it

if its accompanied by grinding sound.



it could be that the splined bush on the layshaft has eaten his way trough the end bush.

Worst case I found was when I pulled the gear cluster out of a box< I could see daylight because there was no layshaft bush in there, completely vanished

Nobody has mentioned it, but my first thought would be a broken return spring. Isn't that supposed to "return" the kickstart and hold it there?

It is caused by the change in direction of the load put on the layshaft

If the spring had gone the lever would not return at all. It could be worth looking at the starter shaft bush. This usually happens in first gear when the torque is greatest then. If it's happening in all gears then it indicates something amiss. I hadn't thought of the grease being stiff but that would warm up on a long run.

If the spring had gone the lever would not return at all. It could be worth looking at the starter shaft bush. This usually happens in first gear when the torque is greatest then. If it's happening in all gears then it indicates something amiss. I hadn't thought of the grease being stiff but that would warm up on a long run.