Thread: kick start slips -wont start

Ok ,I'm new to these bikes. Been a machine mechanic for 20 yrs so I can turn a wrench. The kick start start seems to slip and not turn the motor when trying to start. This one I have ridden so I know it runs.What am I looking for on teardown thats causing this? Its a 3 speed auto. Thanks,Don

You're looking for either what's allowing the clutch to slip or preventing the starter gear from engaging. The odds overwhelmingly favor the former over the latter and that's a good thing. A clutch rebuild doesn't require splitting the cases and you'll end up giving the oil spinner it's first cleaning - ever

I'm in a similar boat, about halfway down the kicker's stroke I get a bit of catch, not near enough to do anything. I have her running by push starting and it starts real easy.

I had planned on removing the motor, sounds like there may be a way around this, can you elaborate on what to look for and how to go about it?

mine will engage some but it seems the harder to try to kick it ,it just slips thru.Any hints on what to adjust or look for instead of tearing it down? Who sells the best detailed manuals? thanks,Don

Mine does it with any oil heavier then 10w/30. Works fine with 10w/30 oil in it. Cant explain why it just does.

Check this thread out.
http://planetminitrails.com/webboard...ick+start+slip
I have a similar problem. I put 5W30 oil in and it helps. Leaning the bike to the left also helps. Once it has run and is warm, there is no problem with subsequent kick starts. My situation might not be similar to yours though.
Regards
...Wes

My pinion gear was wrecked - see page three here:
http://planetminitrails.com/webboard/thread/14/1985/

It's a long ways in there, but should be fairly easy with your background. Get a manual - I found Clymers very useful.

Very fresh in my mind, PM or email me if you want.

I tried the lighter oil,no real difference, adjusted the clutch-slight improvement. Hope I dont have to split the case to cure this. Gonna check the clutch plates next. Hate to tear it down while it runs!

You don't have to split the crankcase to change the clutch plates, which is almost certainly what your problem is, you just have to take the clutch off, then apart. When you replace the clutch plates, make sure you're replacing with the right kind as some bikes had two double-sided friction discs combinded with two bare metal clutch plates, while other models had single-sided friction discs with the actual metal clutch plate also having one side with the friction material.

I am new here and would appreciate some help on my 71 Z50.. My kick starter is also slipping and not engaging the motor when I kick it quickly.. It does seem to work some when slowly kicking through, but this is not enough to fire the engine up.. I have leaned it to the left and it seems to be slightly better, but will still slip if kicked hard enough to try and fire the motor up.. I usually just click it into 3rd gear and push start it when cold.. Once it fires up and the engine warmed up it will start with the kicker.. Mostly because it barely has to turn over before firing up..So slow kicking works when its warm.. I have no problem with the clutch slipping when its running.. It shifts fine and if your holding the throttle wide open it will lift the front tire when you shift, indicating no slippage here... So does this sound like I will have to split the cases if I want it to work or can it still be the clutch plates?
Thank you very much for any help..

Allen