kickstart question on a 79 GS550

[scottp8113]

what kind of resistance should one expect from attempting a kickstart? i get pretty much none and haven't been able to start it with the kickstart as of yet, thankfully the electric start works, but i don't want to be stuck somewhere screwed if my battery dies...

any suggestions? is there a way to tighten the kickstarter?

[Nessism]

Sounds like somethings wrong with it. You might want to consider pulling off the clutch cover and having a look inside.

[scottp8113]

boy oh boy... that's nice and terrifying... mostly because i have no idea where to find said clutch or what to look for/at when i look

[Nessism]

You can download a free service manual from repairmanualclub.com

Read it! Learn it! Sleep with it! The manual knows all.

BTW: I trust you know that the bike must be in neutral and the clutch out for the kickstart to turn the engine over.

[tkent02]

Wait, is it turning the engine over, just that the engine turns very easily?
550s turn over pretty easily, especially if compression is low.
Or does the lever just drop without doing anything?

[scottp8113]

it doesn't feel like it does anything when i kick. the lever stays up by itself (guess bike viagra isn't needed until it's over 50 ) but seriously... i've never been able to kick it into starting, it just feels like nothing is turning or if it is turning, maybe not enough

[computronic2040]

Are you pulling the clutch in when you kick it? If so, don't do that.

[scottp8113]

hmm... not sure if i did that or not, but that may indeed be it

i'll have to try that when i get home tonight. i'll let you know!