1981 C70 kick starter issue

adamsaulnier

New Member
Recently, I’m finding when trying to use the kick starter it is either: stiff and doesn’t move / moves halfway with some resistance / moves without issue. At the moment I can’t recall if this happens when the bike is warmed up, but I know it’s like it when it’s cold. My question is this: what should I look at first to try and resolve the issue? Does the oil need to be drained from the bike to inspect the movement of the kick start gear from the inside? Are there a number of gears that play together to operate the kick starter?

HELP!
 

69ST

Well-Known Member
The kickstarter shaft assembly is pretty simple. So there's not much that can go wrong.

I'd start by pulling the RH (outer clutch) cover to inspect the primary drive and shift detent assemblies. Look for a dislodged or missing C-clip, excessive lateral movement/endplay of the kickstart shaft, spring perch, primary drive gear, transmission mainshaft. Also check the shift star fixing bolt; if it's loosened, the transmission could end up "between gears". If you don't find a cause, the next step will be removing the clutch for a teardown & cleaning. If the problem still persists, the next step may be splitting the cases.
 

adamsaulnier

New Member
The kickstarter shaft assembly is pretty simple. So there's not much that can go wrong.

I'd start by pulling the RH (outer clutch) cover to inspect the primary drive and shift detent assemblies. Look for a dislodged or missing C-clip, excessive lateral movement/endplay of the kickstart shaft, spring perch, primary drive gear, transmission mainshaft. Also check the shift star fixing bolt; if it's loosened, the transmission could end up "between gears". If you don't find a cause, the next step will be removing the clutch for a teardown & cleaning. If the problem still persists, the next step may be splitting the cases.

Would that involve removing the oil from the bike first? I wouldn’t want to open it up and be faced with a flood of it. Thanks for your help!
 

OLD CT

Well-Known Member
Contaminated clutch fibers from using ''car oil'' or never changing the oil for 50 years can make the kicker slip when the bike is cold and can grab normal after the bike is warm. If temperature changes things it's NOT a mechanical issue or loose part. You need to use wet clutch motorcycle specific oil.
 
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