Replacing Starter with a Kicker?

[Csaba]

I am seriously considering getting rid of the elecric starter on my '82 XV750 and putting a kickstart in its place utilizing the existing gearset that is currently run by the starter. My question is .. Has anyone attempted this ? and since I have no experience with kickstarts does anyone have a few pics of a complete assembly from a larger v twin, like an old Harley or something? I need to figure out how the kickstart drive gear engages and disengages the flywheel or does it stay engaged? I have also read a few things about a "sprag" bearing set up ?? Last and final question , if you eliminate the starter could you use a large Capacitor in place of a battery ? This is obviously in the concept/brainstorming stage so any and all feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Wee Todd]

why...........just push the button,,and start it :-\

 

[Csaba]

Have you ever heard an 81 thru 84 virago start?? Its painfull.....very weak design / Bendex starter sounds like its trying to eat itself. Besides ive always wanted a kickstart road bike. There are a few fixes available for the starters but they are all temporary except for a full upgrade to a post 84 design which is very expensive.

 

[boingk]

Haven't heard much about retrofitting bikes with a starter that weren't made for them. It'd be best to see if the engine was used in earlier or different models and scrounge a starter off one of those, if they had one.

As for running a capacitor, it'd probably be better to run a very small battery. I currently use a 3Ah battery for my RS125, and that has full road-legal lighting including signal lamps, brake lights and headlamp. It uses an electric start and fires up fine.

You may be able to get away with a capacitor, but you'd be looking at a pretty big one - the kind they use in pro audio setups. By the time you've done that, I'd just go a small battery. You may be able to get a 12v 2Ah sealed unit, but 3Ah is the smallest I've seen locally for the wet type. It only weighs 1.2kg with fluid, if you're curious.

Cheers - boingk

 

[crazypj]

I think the XV920 chain drive had kickstart?
I know there was a kickstart model or conversion as the motor was used in motocross sidecar outfits.

PJ

 

[hillsy]

None of the XV's came out of the factory with a kick start. I haven't seen an aftermarket one (doesn't mean they don't exist :)

Have a look over here:

http://viragotechforum.com/phpBB/portal.php

Good luck with it

 

[Csaba]

Thanks for the help guys. I am pretty sure none of them came with a kickstart from Yamaha and no luck yet finding a retrofit but I think It can be done.