How hard is it to kick a Commando

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Even if I had an lectric boot I'd still kick cuz too hard to push a button.
 
I think I missed the best part of that video Saber is that you saved a priceless memory with your son and shared it with us. Nice work.
 
Craig said:
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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As it’s been said, it’s in the technique and Tune.
 
I had that same eager expression when I grabbed a hold on my first one too.

The main thing in kicking off a bike is that 'ya gotta wanna'.
 
I think every Norton must be slightly different. My 71 750 starts easily [ cold ] with about 1/16th to 1/8th throttle after tickling the carbs. My 850 wont start at all if you give it any throttle after tickling [ cold ]. Both bikes need to be tickled cold. As I usually go for an hour ride or more, then home again, it's mostly cold starts. When on Rallies or riding with friends, I sometimes have problems starting the 850 hot but that's just getting used to what the bike likes.
I'm a lightweight, so my technique is with the bike on the centre stand [ i have reinforced both centre stands ], to push the kicker down til near TDC and then give it a wallop. Usually starts first time but as I have no chokes and the bike is set up to do 60- 63 mpIg, I do need to jab one of the ticklers a few times to get the engine warmed up [ maybe 15 seconds ] then I'm away.
Dereck
 
Most classic Triumph motorcycles will kick-start on the first kick, if not the second kick. If they don't, then you must not have trickled the carbs or an electrical condition is an issue ! With a Norton Commando 850 Roadster, one must 1st slowly push down on the kicker to set up the compression (as mentioned in the responses). Let the kicker come all the way back-up, then straighten your knee and push down sharply !
In most cases, the motorcycle will start, if you trickled the carbs and turned your key to " ON" position !
Have fun, good luck !
 
Here's my first post of probably many. My wife's father left his 71 Commando in a garage after the divorce. It sat many years then was moved to a shed. Finally we were asked to move it. He is not in a position to store it so we took it. After a few more years I decided it should at least be ridden from time to time. After new battery, fluids, and rear tire (the tires were new but rear tube went flat and the tire died from sitting flat) I was able to start it once I discovered the ticklers. Here is the bike being started a day or 2 after the first start in 20 years. I'm working my way through the bike bit by bit. It's tough to start cold though I haven't rebuilt the carbs yet. I'm hoping that will help. The ping you hear in the video is the start lever tapping the 2 into 1 exhaust. It stalled a lot initially because the clutch cable was in bad shape and the clutch needed to be adjusted.
 
My Combat has always been pretty good to start - first kick 90% of the time. Sitting on the bike with both kick and center stands up, left foot on the ground, carbs tickled well, ignition on (head light off), push the kick starter until it is up on compression, push it a bit further until the kickstart ratchets one more click (top of travel). Then with the right foot taking up the kickstart free play, push off with the left foot until the right knee is straight, come down with full body weight on the right foot. Crack the throttle as the kick start is stroking, and bingo - motor springs to life.

I have never had it kickback on me and I have never injured myself using this technique. I am 5'8" with my boots on, ~200 lbs, and in reasonably decent health.

I installed the Alton as more of a safety precaution: A. I am not getting any younger, B. Stalling the bike when two-up in traffic sucks, C. I find that I am riding my bike more because of the convenience.

Plus it is really cool to be able to say Combat and electric start in the same sentence!! :cool:

My $0.02
 
I just look at mine with the key and taps on whilst tapping my right foot.... She cranks up then I get on and ride happily off. Doesn't everyone?
 
Up until my right knee went I found just about any bike easy to kick-start
Now the Alton takes the strain whilst I am waiting for a knee replacement
 
My 850 (new to me in 2018) has always started relatively easily, even with the old Kettering points system. It would kick back on occasion, so I quickly pulled my leg back at bottom of the kick stroke. With the new Premier carbs and especially the Tri-Spark ignition, starting is much easier as the initial firing pulse is quite late. Last week, however, I found out the bike will still kick back if it initially fires up then dies. Leg was still at bottom of kick stroke--it was painful!
Cold start routine for the 850: 1. Ignition off, Tickle, Kick through. 2. Ignition on, Kick through--usually starts. No choke needed with Premier carbs, and the routine works for both warm and cold starts.

A couple of years ago, I was given the opportunity to start up my old 750 Commando that I had sold in the 1990's. The owner stated it would take five kicks to start it. Cold in the garage, using the old start routine as in 1990's: 1. Ignition off, Tickle carbs, Choke on, and one kick through. 2. Choke off, ignition on and one kick through. Fired right up. :)

I have ridden three kick-start Commandos in my life; all were fairly easy to start.

Russ
~998cc
 
SJordan said:
Here's my first post of probably many. My wife's father left his 71 Commando in a garage after the divorce. It sat many years then was moved to a shed. Finally we were asked to move it. He is not in a position to store it so we took it. After a few more years I decided it should at least be ridden from time to time. After new battery, fluids, and rear tire (the tires were new but rear tube went flat and the tire died from sitting flat) I was able to start it once I discovered the ticklers. Here is the bike being started a day or 2 after the first start in 20 years. I'm working my way through the bike bit by bit. It's tough to start cold though I haven't rebuilt the carbs yet. I'm hoping that will help. The ping you hear in the video is the start lever tapping the 2 into 1 exhaust. It stalled a lot initially because the clutch cable was in bad shape and the clutch needed to be adjusted.
Click to expand...

Great job taking on the Norton. :-) They are true rider's machines.

My .02: It is best to check the carbs thoroughly to be sure they are not worn out prior putting any money into them. New Amal "Premier" carbs are available that are much better than the original carbs were when they were new.

**You should also look into this forum for information on the transmission layshaft bearing and installing a rear brake pedal return spring.**

Keep posting and let the group know how it is going. :)

Best regards,
Russ
~998cc
 
I'm a large person... Nobody I know is large enough to kickstart my bike while sitting on the seat... I'd bet money on that due to the combination of a skimmed head, no base gasket and composite head gasket.

SJordan, your bike actually runs, that's a huge advantage to someone just starting out. The joy of riding a well sorted commando is worth the time and effort to pursue.
 
998cc said:
Great job taking on the Norton. :) They are true rider's machines.

My .02: It is best to check the carbs thoroughly to be sure they are not worn out prior putting any money into them. New Amal "Premier" carbs are available that are much better than the original carbs were when they were new.

**You should also look into this forum for information on the transmission layshaft bearing and installing a rear brake pedal return spring.**

Keep posting and let the group know how it is going. :)

Best regards,
Russ
~998cc
Click to expand...
Thanks for the vote of support. The good news is that literally right before it was parked it got 932 carbs and a top end rebuild. Father in law is sending me the paperwork on the jobs he had done. I'll have to do some brain resetting as I shifted into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th a few times hitting the rear brake. ;)
 
I never have had an issue swapping sides. I ride my Commando(rt shift) & my GL(left shift). Sometimes both the same day. I do however have a preference for the Commando setup because it feels more natural for some unknown reason.
You are lucky your FIL knew how to put the bike to bed better than most.... some like myself just figure to stow them for a couple of months and find themselves with a mess of the 3rd magnitude 38 years later. No way to describe the joy when she made thunder again either.... Even unto death are we joined.
 
jbruney said:
I do however have a preference for the Commando setup because it feels more natural for some unknown reason.
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An actual brain surgeon wrote into Motorcycle sport wayback to opine it was how the brain is wired.. Japanese GP bikes had gears on the right well into the early 80s..

Must admit I had to make a transition to LH gears by picking up an old CG125 before I got used to my ZZR.. Now it seemingly makes little or no difference both sides seem equally natural to me , but it was really weird to begin with
 
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ninja said:
It's all about technique, Velo Thruxton, 500 Goldie and big thumpers like the Honda xr600r all require the "knack" unless your looking for a broken ankle.
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The difference between a single with a K1F mag is that these have a whole 360 degrees to make a spark, whereas the K2F twins have only 180 degrees, sometimes less on Vincent V twin.
 
dynodave said:
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 ;)
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Dave, I will offer my combat shows 180+ psi on compression test. It’s about the same to start as my ‘69 750 S. If either gets the ignition too advance they will bite you. You must have huge arms to start a Commando with your hand.
 
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