Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks, I'm a new owner having just purchased a 1998 Bullet with Squire side car. It's a lovely looking outfit and I've only had it a few weeks. I have found it very difficult to start and have severly bruised my shin in doing so. Unless someone can either explain (or show me ) how to start this machine without the voilent kick backs that I've had I will sell it. Thanks.

Kick staring, the mind boggles.

Pete's starting drill is very good, the only thing I would add (if you have the facility) is to "tickle" the carb until you just get fuel from the tickler. Then go for the start. I always start mine this way and I never use the choke. Mine almost always starts first swing if not second... If I get to three, there is something wrong.

Violent kick backs would suggest that the ignition timing could be too far advanced. Kick back should be avoided as it could lead to oil pump drive failure.

On the centre stand (yours as is), I turn the fuel tap on then pull the decompressor and turn the engine over (priming) a few times, release decompressor and slowly turn engine until you find / feel compression and turns no more, then pull the decompressor and turn the engine past compression then release the decompressor and use choke but NO throttle to kick start ASTRIDE the bike (not on it). Mine kicked back when using throttle.

It just shows how different they all are... mine won't start at all if I don't use a bit of throttle when using the choke. Do you know anyone locally who'd give it a try "their" way... just in case it's a different knack or feel that's needed? Good luck, Chris

Thanks everyone for describing their methods of kick 'STARTING' and advice and also the teacher among you who quite rightly pointed out my spelling mistake. I should check message before pressing buttons. I would appreciate it if someone on a ride out or lives nearby, could include me in their trip and show me how. Aways a cup of tea or coffee on offer.(A good idea Chris) I live near Cromer in North Norfolk. Make a beautiful ride out anyway.

Hi Dogsbody. The following starting method was posted here a few years ago by a guy called LesH. I used to have trouble kick starting my bike and so took up this method and it works for me (and my bike). It might work for you too but as someone here has just said every Enfield seems to be different. Anyway here goes. Normally you would ease the engine over compression and then give her one full swing. But this means that your engine has to go all the way around again before getting to another firing stroke, by which time it's probably slowed down to an almost standstill - and could the reason for the kick back. Try easing the engine over compression and then moving the kickstart (and hence the engine) a bit further along its travel before applying your full swing (try experimenting with how far). The idea is to try to get the momentum applied from your boot to still be moving the engine when it gets to it's firing stroke. Hope it helps!

Thanks Riggers. Will try that method when stopped limping from last attempt. Feeling a bit reticent at mo as last kick back propelled my steel heeled boot into my left leg crushing a vein. I was standing next to it and trying to start it with my right foot for leverage.Perhaps not a good idea in the future.
Not a pretty sight at mo (leg that is) but will have another go soon.