Kick Start Lever
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Ron L
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The kickstart for the Mk3 gives better clearance on peashooters because it was designed to clear the fatter "bean cans" of the Mk3. The original kicker for the earlier models cleared pretty well with original pipes and mufflers, but the aftermarket ones have all kinds of different bends and lengths to the first bend as well as different cone shapes on the mufflers, causing clearance issues.I suspect it was the marketing boys worried that the improved KS lever getting onto earlier bikes might reduce sales of the MKIII ES machines.
Jerry Doe
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Heating and Bending.
To RoadScholar’s point, I have heated and bent foot pegs several times to good results. Case in point is the foot pegs on my Commando. The bike had obviously been dumped on both sides as the pegs were far from orthogonal in several planes. I admit I did not know what alloy of metal was used for the pegs, what its transformation temperature, potential for reduced ductility and debated on quench - or not. Should work as well for a kick start lever - worth a try.
MAP gas worked great along with a very large open-end wrench as part was held in bench vise. Considering cost of new replacements, it was worth heat bending and as I had some parts going to the powder coater added the pegs to the lot (figured about $10/part for PC). I know – not chrome as stock but I like some contrast from all the polished aluminum and chrome on the Commando.
So far, no issues. Did the same on my Triumph and twenty years later – no issues.
To RoadScholar’s point, I have heated and bent foot pegs several times to good results. Case in point is the foot pegs on my Commando. The bike had obviously been dumped on both sides as the pegs were far from orthogonal in several planes. I admit I did not know what alloy of metal was used for the pegs, what its transformation temperature, potential for reduced ductility and debated on quench - or not. Should work as well for a kick start lever - worth a try.
MAP gas worked great along with a very large open-end wrench as part was held in bench vise. Considering cost of new replacements, it was worth heat bending and as I had some parts going to the powder coater added the pegs to the lot (figured about $10/part for PC). I know – not chrome as stock but I like some contrast from all the polished aluminum and chrome on the Commando.
So far, no issues. Did the same on my Triumph and twenty years later – no issues.
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