Idiot Newbie Question - Kickstarter on Techno

[freeagent]

All:

I just bought my first semi-modern trials bike ('95 T250) and have yet to figure out an easy way to get it started. The kick starter lever seems like it is about 4" long and the foot support about 2". And of course, it's on the left side, which is a huge challenge for me since I have a fused left ankle, so I'm right side only. Has anyone found a longer lever that adapts, or modified the existing lever to actually be useful?

BTW, while I'm new to the Beta, I'm not new to riding. I'm been wasting money and time on the moto hobby for 35 years or so, owned 90ish bikes, currently have a dozen in the garage, and this particular lever is the most useless piece of junk I've ever seen. Help?

Edited December 6, 2010 by FREEAGENT

[feetupfun]

Stand on the LH side of the bike and kick it with your right leg

[freeagent]

Stand on the LH side of the bike and kick it with your right leg

Uh, yeah, thanks, but I already thought of that. Since I have a fused left ankle, I didn't even attempt to use my left foot.

[beta_trials]

ok even with a fused left ankle you should still be able to kick start the bike with your right foot standing on your left leg on that side of the bike. I have a 94 techno and i do it all the time. If i may ask do you have any trouble semi or fully standing on your left foot? the only other thing i could suggest is to stand over your bike have the kick start flipped out with your right foot up on the right peg stand up placing your left foot on the kick start and kick down to start the bike that way just like practicing to start the bike while balancing if you ever stall with out taking a 5 in a section.

[freeagent]

ok even with a fused left ankle you should still be able to kick start the bike with your right foot standing on your left leg on that side of the bike. I have a 94 techno and i do it all the time. If i may ask do you have any trouble semi or fully standing on your left foot? the only other thing i could suggest is to stand over your bike have the kick start flipped out with your right foot up on the right peg stand up placing your left foot on the kick start and kick down to start the bike that way just like practicing to start the bike while balancing if you ever stall with out taking a 5 in a section.

Yes, I agree, that should work, and believe me, I've tried. I can stand on my left side just fine and kick right. This isn't my first left side start bike. I had a KTM 620 that was way easier to start than this bike. Of course, it had a much bigger lever and consequently a lot more leverage.

Since you're from Beta, do you have any suggestions on a replacement kickstart lever that's, say, about twice as long?

Thanks,

Chris

[liviob]

I'm not familiar with that particular bike but i do have two Betas with fairly short kickers and both bikes are not to difficult to start with right or left foot. Maybe take a look at the ignition timing to see if the ignition is advanced too far. If its timed correctly you could always retard the ignition. This should reduce compression and make the motor a little easyer to kick.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Liviob

[feetupfun]

Uh, yeah, thanks, but I already thought of that. Since I have a fused left ankle, I didn't even attempt to use my left foot.

Sorry for saying the obvious but you did not say how you were kicking it.

Unless you are very tall, lengthening the kickstart lever will make it hard to get you boot high enough. Doubling the length will mean the end will hit your leg (or worse)

If you lower the compression ala 1997 and later Techno motors you will find it easier to kick over compression. The 1994, 1995 and 1996 Technos take a much bigger kick to get over compression than the later (tamer) 97,98,99 model Technos. The suggestion to retard the ignition a bit would also help if you are feeling any kickback.

I've never heard of a longer lever that fits the Techno motor and the Beta Rev 3 motors have a very short aluminium lever. Any competent metal fabricator could extend the existing lever if you are certain that is the way for you.

[freeagent]

Sorry for saying the obvious but you did not say how you were kicking it.

Unless you are very tall, lengthening the kickstart lever will make it hard to get you boot high enough. Doubling the length will mean the end will hit your leg (or worse)

If you lower the compression ala 1997 and later Techno motors you will find it easier to kick over compression. The 1994, 1995 and 1996 Technos take a much bigger kick to get over compression than the later (tamer) 97,98,99 model Technos. The suggestion to retard the ignition a bit would also help if you are feeling any kickback.

I've never heard of a longer lever that fits the Techno motor and the Beta Rev 3 motors have a very short aluminium lever. Any competent metal fabricator could extend the existing lever if you are certain that is the way for you.

Thanks. Mine's a '95, and still a bear to get spinning. Looks like I'm going the fab route.