Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Kickstarting help please. Kickstarting help please.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 May 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wiltsire UK
Posts: 57
Kickstarting help please.
Hello all,

I have an 86 IVJ, kick and electric start. Electric works fine but i'd like to have the knack of kickstarting for those flat battery/knackered starter days. I had an XL500 with manual decompressor and could start that with no problems. With the auto-decompressor on the XT how do I know when the engine is at or has just gone past tdc so I can give her a proper kick without fear of breaking my ankle? She's an easy starter, i'd just like to know that i'm not fluking it everytime I use the kickstart!
__________________
Be the person your dog thinks you are.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 May 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CapeBreton ,Canada
Posts: 73
I have a 85 kick only bike, got lots of practice. If the decompression cable is properly adjusted the engine should not kick back, ive also noticed that almost always the engine comes to rest on the compression stroke. Just a slow half kick to set the decompression and a full kick to start.
__________________
Winston
85 xt600Z
02 YZ250
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 May 2006
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 890
Smile
hello,

the 1VJ does not kick back, so dont be scarred of breaking your ankle.

kick it slowly until you hear the click sound from automatic decompression. than you have the right spot ....

my XL600R was a monster to kick start ...

enjoy kicking ;-)

mika
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 May 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toulouse, France
Posts: 216
Lightbulb 1vj
Hi,

Well be carefull anyway, if decomp cable is broken or badly adjusted you can have the kick return, happened a friend of mine a former XT500 addict.
Start adjusting it.
Kicking is easy on 1VJ, cold=no throttle warm=half throttle, depends of your carb settings of course.
You can also engage n1, grab the bike, reverse a bit until you feel compression on back wheel...a bike is not made for reversing, right! so when your in compression backwards, you can push forward slightly and start or give a little kick push..it will fire up nice.

Matt
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 May 2006
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt595
Kicking is easy on 1VJ, cold=no throttle warm=half throttle, depends of your carb settings of course.
Not only on carb settings but also on the model. Not sure about the 1VJ but my 3AJ hates half throttle when warm - it floods immediately which usually results in major cursing, a cigarette, and a sore leg
There's no real secret to it. As already mentioned do it very slowly until you hear a click sound then go bananas. If it doesn't fire up after the first kick (which is normal, sometimes it takes me three to four times to get it started but that's ok) repeat the procedure. And don't forget the choke when the engine is cold, mine refuses to fire up without choke when it's cold and refuses to fire up with choke when it's warm.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 May 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wiltsire UK
Posts: 57
Many thanks for all the tips and advice, i'll be kicking this weekend! I have read in some other threads things along the lines of "you can start this engine with your hand if it's all set up properly" Is this an exageration? Or should I be able to go through a full swing of the kickstart with my "strong" arm? Perhaps my auto decompress cable does need adjusting. If so, some guidelines for getting this right would be much appreciated as i'm waiting for a cheap clymer manual to appear out of thin air!
__________________
Be the person your dog thinks you are.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 May 2006
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfow
Many thanks for all the tips and advice, i'll be kicking this weekend! I have read in some other threads things along the lines of "you can start this engine with your hand if it's all set up properly" Is this an exageration? Or should I be able to go through a full swing of the kickstart with my "strong" arm? Perhaps my auto decompress cable does need adjusting. If so, some guidelines for getting this right would be much appreciated as i'm waiting for a cheap clymer manual to appear out of thin air!
In theory it should work, however I have not given this a try yet. What I have successfully tried was kickstarting my XL185 with my right hand though, therefore it should work with a XT600 as well. Maybe I'll give it a try someday...
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kickstarting XT600Z (1VJ) Stephen Yamaha Tech 10 16 Sep 2009 22:25
Kickstarting Bernard Yamaha Tech 11 11 Jan 2005 03:14

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top