How hard is it to kick a Commando

jan nelder · Nov 9, 2020

illf8ed said:
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.

I once tried to MOVE the kickstart on a Castrol R Commando for sale at a jumble. Nothing happened......

Torontonian · Nov 9, 2020

robs ss said:
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.

Fine advice from a warmer Australia , here in colder Canada I have to tickle flood her from a cold start up. Then when she fires up , hold throttle well open (2000 R.P.M.) , reach down and tickle again(s) to have her burst into true life. No chokes , but will install them before the spring , season is over.

peter12 · Nov 13, 2020

Of course people lose the knack to kick start a bike. In the 60’s you had to kick start virtually every motorbike. Now it’s polar opposite. Don’t know of any bike made now with a kick start.
Unfortunately about 4 years ago I was diagnosed as needing a new knee.
A heafty kick and my knee locked out meant I couldn’t walk!
fitted an Alton, Electric start, brilliant. Haven’t had the knee yet but an injection means I can still kick the Norton, doesn’t do me much good though.

baz · Nov 13, 2020

peter12 said:
Of course people lose the knack to kick start a bike. In the 60’s you had to kick start virtually every motorbike. Now it’s polar opposite. Don’t know of any bike made now with a kick start.
Unfortunately about 4 years ago I was diagnosed as needing a new knee.
A heafty kick and my knee locked out meant I couldn’t walk!
fitted an Alton, Electric start, brilliant. Haven’t had the knee yet but an injection means I can still kick the Norton, doesn’t do me much good though.

I feel your pain
I'm waiting for a replacement knee

850cmndo · Nov 13, 2020

I've had mine 46 years and kicked it a time or two. No problem AT ALL.

DogT · Nov 13, 2020

I tell you what. Tomorrow the wife is away with her Border Terriers and I'll push the '69 out into her garage bay and see what happens. I was 77 on the 11th, Armistice Day. I haven't started it in probably over a year. Only health issues are new eye lenses, and old joints and bones. I also need to put the new radiator in the JD2020 that I poked a hole in the other week that came today. That will be the second thing I do, not counting getting out of bed which is a pain. If I feel really exotic, I'll take it down the road to the PO.

Torontonian · Nov 13, 2020

DogT said:
I tell you what. Tomorrow the wife is away with her Border Terriers and I'll push the '69 out into her garage bay and see what happens. I was 77 on the 11th, Armistice Day. I haven't started it in probably over a year. Only health issues are new eye lenses, and old joints and bones. I also need to put the new radiator in the JD2020 that I poked a hole in the other week that came today. That will be the second thing I do, not counting getting out of bed which is a pain. If I feel really exotic, I'll take it down the road to the PO.

Lovely life.

Ian James · Nov 16, 2020

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.

Could not agree morv Thruxron x2

Ian James · Nov 16, 2020

Bernhard said:
If they supply old women rather than young, you might wish you hadn't put that statement. . . . .

An old one closing down is just as tight as a new one opening up And after all isnt a barn find what we are all wishing for Ian

How hard is it to kick a Commando

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