| Author | Message | ||
     Simple |
searched the KV and XB forums, didnt turn up much info related to XB's in particular. i'm not wanting to do this but was wondering if anyone knows of any XB's with it and has pics/info on it. | ||
| Ducbsa |
My big suggestion to HD that I am concealing until the right moment is to bring back the XLCH. Kicker only! With modern ignition and fuel injection, it should be a snap to start, compared to the carb and Fireblanks Morse mag in the '60's! Don't tell anyone, so that HD won't feel guilty about giving me all the royalties for this tip-top idea. | ||
| Punkid8888 |
my buddy has a 1972 XLCH, but someone put an aftermarket electric starter in. in failed last season on him (there was a short that was draining the battery) so he went all season just kicking it. Its kinda cool, but then when you go for a long ride and it would be 85F and humid, and for some reason it takes 4 or 5 kicks, yea umm I grinned every time when I just pushed my button | ||
| Xl1200r |
As the owner of a 1964 XLCH, I would guess that HD has no interest in the countless lawsuits from folks busting ankles and knees trying to kick start their bikes. | ||
| Phoi |
A warning label should take care of that. For example, the Quiznos Ads that warn people not to actually eat a 5 dollar bill (I die a little inside every time I see that small print). If you're commenting on it actually being dangerous, well, I'm sure they could engineer it into something safer these days. Not that I have any experience with them at all. Kick starting a cruiser sounds like a nice option, not so sure I'd like seeing it on a Buell. | ||
| Simple |
OK, so thanks for all the very pertinent HD info.  now that we all know they didnt offer and most likely wont be offered from the mothership, anyone know of aftermarket or modified XB's with this done? (Message edited by simple on August 13, 2008) | ||
| Xl1200r |
Simple - There hasn't been a kicker kit made for an EVO XL engine. I remember looking a lot when I had my Sportster. It would take a LOT to get something made. The kicker would need to be on the right, but the drive would be on the clutch on the left side of the bike (so that you could start the bike in neutral). That means you need a hole going through the cases. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have a KLR-250 that is kick start only, and has an automatic compression release. In spite of the fact that it has been in pieces for about a month now, I still have a purple spot inside my right ankle, and inside my right knee. My motorcycle boots and my hiking boots both now have an epoxy plug where I fixed the hole the kickstarter ripped in them while kickstarting. My instep hurts if I spend too long on my feet. I liked kickstarters a lot more before I got one....  | ||
| Simple |
i know all about the pain that can be involved when kicking a 4 stroke over. the worst is the forward kickers like on Hondas trx450R...that thing will come back and crush your shinbone if you dont do it right! oh well, was maybe hoping to see one of them crazy modded out German XB's with a kicker on it. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
I know I'm showing my age, I still ride a 66 FLH (Restored), Linkert carb, single points, Kick and Electric. IT NEVER GETS ELECTRIC START! If you have them set up right they start very easy. (I ride alot in twenty degree weather). The 70 Sportster is also kick only. I guess I'm just into pain. It is fun to listen to all the "newbys" say, Boy thats neat, when did they come up with that? | ||
| Xl1200r |
Linkert...grumble grumble...still trying to find one for my XLCH... | ||
| Hughlysses |
As the owner of a 1964 XLCH, I would guess that HD has no interest in the countless lawsuits from folks busting ankles and knees trying to kick start their bikes. Mark, isn't the compression ratio on that Sporty 9:1 (which was considered high at the time for an air-cooled engine)? The XB12's are 10:1 which would make them considerably worse in the ankle/knee busting department. | ||
| Cycleaddict |
kick starters, points ignition, tube type tires,heck just for kicks how about a manual ignition advance ? | ||
| Packrat |
Simple---I think you got all that "very pertinent HD info" because you asked such a very pertinent question.  | ||
| Slaughter |
With modern electronics, it'd be easy. Just have a microswitch that catches about halfway down the kick. That engages the starter. NO connection between the kickstarter and the motor. You can actually have a friction brake on the kickstart so it "feels" like it is turning the motor over. I'm feeling more manly already. Problem solved. | ||
| Gjwinaus |
I have a brother that busted up his hip and knee kick starting old Triumphs, my advice on kick starts is "be careful what you wish for " | ||
| Dwunundabkr |
my hip has never been the same from kick starts i love electric starts will never buy another bike without one yep i am getting soft | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Haven't thought about a kick start, but the 26" ape hangers look great on my XB! | ||
| Trojan |
Anyone ever put a kick start on an XB? Around the same time as I put the ashtray on the handlebars. | ||
| Court |
And to think I felt bad about asking for a spark advance! | ||
| Spiderman |
Hell I am still trying to find a hand crank starter for my VW!  | ||
| Swordsman |
Am I the only one that finds this amusing? So many people gripe about Buell's "50 year old technology", and then you get a question about finding a kick starter for a fuel injected bike that requires a computer to tune.  Takes all kinds, I guess! ~SM | ||
| Xl1200r |
Mark, isn't the compression ratio on that Sporty 9:1 (which was considered high at the time for an air-cooled engine)? The XB12's are 10:1 which would make them considerably worse in the ankle/knee busting department. Yes, from the factory it was 9.0:1, which was high for the day. My XLCH was hopped up in the late 60's and is running a KH flywheels (REALLY long stroke) and something like 11.25:1 compression. My buddy tried to start it one day when I wasn't around back in June. He's still limping. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Am I the only one that finds this amusing? So many people gripe about Buell's "50 year old technology", and then you get a question about finding a kick starter for a fuel injected bike that requires a computer to tune. Takes all kinds, I guess! ~SM No you're not the only one, there's at least two of us. This thread ranks up there with highway peg and forward control threads. | ||
| Spiderman |
Make that three, read my above smart ass post  | ||
| Swordsman |
Heh, we thought YOU were serious, Spidey! ~SM | ||
| Djkaplan |
XLdevil posted a pic of a tuber that had a kickstarter fitted to it. It looked cumbersome, though, very Rube Goldberg. I'll see if I can find it. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Here's a link to the thread... scroll down a little for pics. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/351214.html?1207579821 | ||
| Djkaplan |
Oh, and I'll say it again... only those people who never had a kickstarter miss them. No freakin' way I'd want to kick a 10:1 1203cc V-twin over, especially if it was already hot and I was in a hurry. I never had a Sportster, but I got a bad case of 'Sportster leg' in the 70's (foot actually... oh the pain). I love that starter button... love it! | ||
| Simple |
thanks djkaplan for the link. bunch of comedians in here! highway pegs, forward controls, fuel injection and computer tuning? WTF does that have to do with a kickstarter? i was unaware that electric start was high tech...  i mean hell, its only been around for 50+ years too, no? i like kickstarters, always have, this is my 1st toy without it in fact. not a damn thing wrong with wanting to see one on a modified new age bike. LOL, continue on with the razzing, i kind of like it. |
