How old until you find you can't kick start her anymore?

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Age is not an issue; a combination of body weight, fitness and technique are all that matters.

There is a well-known and relatively ill (cancer) 60+ guy on his old GoldStar, along with a 90+ year-old guy that regularly rides his old Velocette, who tear up the foothills of Washington on a regular basis together (the amazing adventure road stories are regularly posted on BritBike.Com).
 
I am 48 now.
My grandson is 2 weeks old.
I need to kick it over for another 22 years then I will leave it to him.
Lucky sod. Getting a Commando when you are just 22.
Wish I had.
Stu.
 
bigstu said:
I am 48 now.
My grandson is 2 weeks old.
I need to kick it over for another 22 years then I will leave it to him.
Lucky sod. Getting a Commando when you are just 22.
Wish I had.
Stu.
Click to expand...
Stu,

If what they say is true, "Fifty is the new thirty." Then by the time you're eighty it will be the new fifty, at least! Don't make him any promises at the moment. They remember everything, even at this age.
 
If the bike is setup it really should not need a massive lunge with my MK2 fitted with a Mikuni and a Tri-Spark I can literally bounce once on the kickstart (I only weigh about 11 st and she will fire up...(with the Amals if I got the tickling just right same maybe 80% of the time.)
 
I know it's heretical, but there are compression lowering plates for under the cylinders. They are 0.75mm in thickness, but I can't remember how much the C.R. is lowered. I think it's about a half a point.
 
Years ago I ran a thick copper head gasket that did the same thing. Since mine has been starting with one half heated kick lately I think one may not have to go that far. Previosuly I was kicking it over once and then booting it, but I've been experimenting with turning the switch on and just kicking.
 
I'm 61, weigh 260 and don't have any problems starting my 850 Comando or my other vintage Brit bikes.
They are all in good tune and usually start on the first kick though.
I'm using Amals on all 3 bikes with electronic ignition on the Norton and Bonneville but the BSA starts as easily as the others and it's all stock components.

How old until you find you can't kick start her anymore?
 
MrFastback said:
I'm 61, weigh 260 and don't have any problems starting my 850 Comando or my other vintage Brit bikes.
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At 260 they probably start out of fear that if they don't you'll give them a real kick. :mrgreen:
 
swooshdave said:
MrFastback said:
I'm 61, weigh 260 and don't have any problems starting my 850 Comando or my other vintage Brit bikes.
Click to expand...

At 260 they probably start out of fear that if they don't you'll give them a real kick. :mrgreen:
Click to expand...
Works for me :)
 
I'm 65, 190 lbs. my MKIII is not a probblem, most twins are easy to start. I have a Gold Star that can be a bit of a pain sometimes, I also have a Cheney/BSA MX'er that can be alittle diffuclt at times.

Ken G.
 
motoracer8 said:
I'm 65, 190 lbs. my MKIII is not a probblem, most twins are easy to start.
Ken G.
Click to expand...

MKIII not a problem? What about the problem of deciding which finger to use to push the starter button? :wink:
 
Ya know Dave,

When that gets to be a problem I might just give up on these and take up golf for frustration.
 
MrFastback, I hate you. :mrgreen:

That '69 Bonnie and Lightning are precisely the other two bikes I wish I had. Must be fun maintaining the rest of the stable, too.
 
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