How hard is it to kick a Commando

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dynodave said:
1. Look at the valve lift AFTER 540 degrees.
2. after 540 degrees the piston is going UP, the air is leaking back out. residual air left is LESS. Less air to compress means lower pressure. easier to kick over.
3. Not rocket science.
4. close intake valve earlier and there will be more residual air to compress using kick lever, pressure is higher kick lever harder to push.

5. dynamics of cylinder charge change once engine is running and air column inertia prevents air escaping.
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Thanks for the partial explanation.

I can’t graph it like you do. But my minds eye was telling me that a narrow footed BSA follower with a 7/8” radius is going to have different opening and closing times to a BSA follower with a 1 1/8” radius.

But I guess that if that’s not the case, I now know why the different radius made no noticeable difference to the kick start force required !
 
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I must say the first time I kicked mine over versus my Triumph Daytona I was quite surprised. You definitely can’t just kick it at any point. There’s a technique for sure. I must say when one of the sides of the carb balance pipe tube popped off without me knowing and I tried to kick it over ten times in a row in full gear on a hot day I was seeing some stars ha. But now that I know it she’s a little kitten.
 
There is no Norton content in this video, but I think it is a great little video about kick starting.

 
If they supply old women rather than young, you might wish you hadn't put that statement. . . . .
 
Old motors need revving too or they freeze up.... Got one here now.
 
Keep your knee bent, if or when the motor kicks back your knee will fold and you wont get launched.
 
NPeteN- I didn't get his permission before I posted. But told him last night and he smiled.

Mike S - garage looks big because we cleared out the cars and anything else of value near by. we weren't sure what was going to happen or how far oil could fly when an engine blows up. notice tarp and fire extinguisher (manned by brother in law with red cup in hand).

jburney- yes, he and the bike got much better thru last year:

How hard is it to kick a Commando


Sorry about the hijack scout.
 
Good.... Someone has to take up care of these beasties when we are gone. they should always have a good home. Only wish I could have given one to a Spit.
 
Saber said:
NPeteN- I didn't get his permission before I posted. But told him last night and he smiled.

Mike S - garage looks big because we cleared out the cars and anything else of value near by. we weren't sure what was going to happen or how far oil could fly when an engine blows up. notice tarp and fire extinguisher (manned by brother in law with red cup in hand).

jburney- yes, he and the bike got much better thru last year:

View attachment 14806

Sorry about the hijack scout.
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Very nice work. Is your son the primary rider?

I would have shit a brick if my dad shared that video. Sounds like the kid has a sense of humor.

Why not start another thread elsewhere with some photos etc..
 
NPeteN said:
Very nice work. Is your son the primary rider?

I would have shit a brick if my dad shared that video. Sounds like the kid has a sense of humor.

Why not start another thread elsewhere with some photos etc..
Click to expand...

No. He's not the primary rider. Not ready to cut my 18 year old loose on a motorcycle. Still recovering from him and his older brother learning to drive a car. But he has done well and had fun near home and on some supervised rides. Some day, if and when I slow down, I'm sure he will be be ready and happy to take over.

Yes, as you all know, a sense of humor is a requirement when dealing with a Norton.

I'll get a thread going on our journey. Its been a joy since we bought it almost two years ago. Thanks for the comments!
 
Oh, two sons.... You'd best be looking for another to avoid a quarrel when you fade away.
 
An entertaining thread. I learned on a BSA Lightning and bought a Commando in '71. Never really had a problem starting until the AAU needed to be replaced and the twin Mikuni experiment that was great for high rpm's but not so much for starting and cold performance.
I let my son loose on my 850 a couple of years ago around the neighborhood to get him used to riding his inheritance some day. Kick start, right shift, up for 1st & down for the rest; I should have filmed it. It really was fun to watch him kick it seated after the multiple stalls. He'll be in for more of a test when I upgrade both the 750 and 850 with more compression and cam :-)
Maybe by then I'll have at least a CNW starter in the 850.
 
I learned on a Lightning as well , never had any trouble , the stretched forks were a bit tricky on the local curvy gravel roads though, that was getting on to more than 45 yrs ago ....
 
rvich said:
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.
Click to expand...
With his head?!?!?!
 
My K/S apprenticeship went from NVT Rambler (keep it in the family!), BSA B44 then P11... common theme being no centre stand, hence a balancing act needed perfecting as well as the fateful lunge...
Bought the current Commando from a midget who always fired it up first time, whereas I bounced up and down like a lunatic with varied results.
When I finally got a strobe on it the ignition was so far advanced I'm surprised the bike in front didn't fire up! Pulled it back to spec and it's now a doddle, impressed my brother in law by firing it up with bare feet, though not a stunt I'd try now. And even though the starter has all the upgrades I still kick it most times... out of habit perhaps, or just because I still can....
 
It not politically correct but have heard this sayin ..... it takes a real man to kick start a big bike .... not that I buy in , my 110lb daughter can kick start my Commando first time every time ....
 
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