How hard is it to kick a Commando

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Scout63

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So now that my Norton is finished and on the road, I’ve had three weeks to get it sorted and have put about 200 miles on it. I had never started or ridden a British twin so I was worried about kicking it. I have to say that it really isn’t that hard. It is a 72 Combat restored with new valves and springs, stock 2s cam, stock spec new pistons and rings and recut valve seats. Original carbs rebuilt and Trispark ignition. I kick it upright astride the bike, getting the lever onto compression before kicking. I find it much easier than kicking my SR500 with it’s decompression lever not in use. I’m 57 years old and 6’2”and in reasonably good health. Am I missing something or is this just hype to scare off the wannabes?
 
The Trispark doesn't hurt. But no they really aren't that hard to start when they are in good tune. There is a video somewhere of Comnoz starting his with his hand. Kickbacks can be a bitch but the Trispark isn't prone to them as near as I know.
 
Kind of frightening isn't it? I've often pondered as to why they ever put electric starters on the later models.
 
It is not hard to kickstart a Norton twin with proper technique.

Your technique seems to be similar to mine ..... I get it part way thru compression, then wait 5 seconds for compression to leak off, then kick it hard with a slight twist of the throttle.

Others, go past TDC, then kick it thru.

Nortons are hard for those who think they can just pump the lever.

Slick
 
Compared to my Honda it's hard. Compared to my Harley its like having an E start.
 
Never had any trouble kicking my bikes over - I am 66 and weigh 160ish - remember that with a parallel twin with a 360 degree crank you are only fighting half the displacement at any given
time , so the 750cc becomes 325cc.
I generally stand on the right side and use my right ( dominant) leg. On battery/coil / ignition bikes I bring the engine onto compression then kick - on my single with magneto I bring it to compression - pull the valve lifter and ease it just past TDC - release valve lifter then kick .This allows the flywheels and consequently the mag to spin a bit faster for a better spark.
 
You seem to have everything just right and down pat in your technique, when I brought my new Norton when I was 17 years old way back in the 70s I was 9 stone nothing with chicken legs and the first time I kicked it to life was in the dealer show room with lots of harden Harley riders at the spare parts counter all watching me and it fire straight up and everyone was amazed this skinny kid could do it, I still ride this bike today but its a hotrod now with a lot more compression than stock, but I still start without any problems at all, my mates have troubles kicking it to life because they haven't got the Norton knack of kicking it, at 61 years of age now I still have chicken legs lol.
Have fun and get out there and enjoy a real bike.

Ashley
 
Mine 850 has always been a kitten to kick over.... unless some fool hasn't gotten the timing set right. Just feel it through until I know she's coming up on comp stroke and then pop my leg straight. Don't have to do that with much vigor thankfully because right knee is screwed up. Then a good 240# push can move a lot too.
 
Once I got it timed properly , been first or second try ever since , 20+ yrs on, I won’t try it with sandles on anymore , sneakers or boots are fine ....
 
had a 850, that a guy looked at , he didn't know how to do a proper kick, had it on the centerstand, and he really just kind of just fell/stood on it, but it started. But it was real low mileage bike with the original ignition . My 68 was a real kitten, they didn't have the compression as the later bikes. My JPN is a real bitch, but mostly because of the handlebar/clip-ons and the awkwardness of it
 
Yes well tuned and used often they are easy to start.

I'm 66 and recently installed a CNW electric start but only because my knee is damaged for non motorcycle reasons.
 
No one has offered that a 2S cam with a bigger overlap is lower pressure at kicking speed is easier to start than a stock cam....
Also in 1971 as a scrawny 160 lb kid I could start my 70 750 roadster by hand and did so several times. Just to show the guys it was NOT hard to start.
My current combat, 90% of the time, is a one kick start. Rarely two. Now 165lbs and almost 70 YO
I guess knowing how to tune a bike helps ;)
 
I was able to start my '74 850 on the first kick most of the time. Mikuni, TriSpark. It did require
an athletic jump as at 5'6" and 160# I didn't have good leverage. Then 3 years ago at age 70
I got arthritis in my back and hips and just couldn't do it any more at risk of putting myself
in the hospital. So I installed the cNw electric leg. Money well spent.
 
Scout63 said:
I find it much easier than kicking my SR500 with it’s decompression lever not in use. I’m 57 years old and 6’2”and in reasonably good health. Am I missing something or is this just hype to scare off the wannabes?
Click to expand...

It's mostly hype. People who stopped riding in the 60's or early 70's or never rode are usually the ones that perpetuate that myth. Like a lot of things the legend grows as time passes.
I bought a used 72 combat in 1973 and thought it was the baddest bike ever made.... Until I rode a neighbors brand new 73 900 Kawasaki.
 
texasSlick said:
then kick it hard with a slight twist of the throttle.
Click to expand...

I have been surprised over the years at how many people don't understand how throttle position affects mixture on starting.
Fully closed, thanks to high air velocity over the jets (and the venturi effect), gives the richest mixture, while fully open, with its associated comparatively low velocity, will give the leanest.
I'm with you Slick - somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 open gives best results.

Edit: of course this excludes the "pumper effect" on some modern carbs.
 
Most people that tell stories about how hard to kick start any motorcycle with k/s only option are remembering high compression single cylinder examples especially those with no advance magnetos...

In the early 70s my brother took his B50SS to a pub in Boston, when he came out some asshole was jumping up and down on the kickstarter. The miscreant saw him watching and said, "kick starting these POS takes a miracle". My brother held out the key and suggested that having a hot ignition would shorten the exercise. When the guy's jaw started to drop my brother hit him hard enough to bust a few of his teeth...

Best.
 
Thanks for confirming. It took a while for me to get used to holding the throttle open when kicking. My SR has a pumper carb and will flood if you even look at it. One of the great joys of kick start only bikes is knowing that most people out there can’t start your bike.
 
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