Airheads with kick starters

[SteveM]

Could someone here tell me which airhead models had engines with kick starters.

Or can all airheads be converted to this system, or were they factory options.

I'm on the lookout for an airhead to buy, either R80 - 100GS, and want one with a kickstart but don't know what to look for.

Were they available only on certain models? Or only in certain years? I have no idea, can someone enlighten me?

Thanks in advance, Steve.

 

[tuftywhite]

Someone on here with more knowledge than me will tell you properly, but my '81 g/s has a kickstart and I know how to use it!

 

[SteveM]

Thanks Tufty, hopefully with more info I'll be able to widen my search from simply looking for 1981 G/S's - I'm sure they're a fairly limited market.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Steve, I have to ask this but why do you want an airhead with a kickstart? The Bosch and Valeo starter motors on my pair are so reliable, they are not necessary IMO.

 

[scooter paul]

My R80 G/S has a kickstarter and I had a R100GS paralever that had had one fitted during a rebuild by a previous owner so they can be retro fitted.

 

[Steptoe]

:

Or can all airheads be converted to this system, or were they factory options.

Yes, all airheads can be converted very simply... But very expensively.

 

[SteveM]

Steve, I have to ask this but why do you want an airhead with a kickstart? The Bosch and Valeo starter motors on my pair are so reliable, they are not necessary IMO.

Hi Paul, I'm certain you're right about the reliability of the starters but I just like the look of the kickstart, especially as it works at 90 degrees to more traditional kickstarts.
If I have to pay a massive premium for an airhead with a kickstart then I probably won't bother as it seems they are already commanding pretty good money, but if there's nothing in it price wise i'd choose to have one rather than not.

Hi Steptoe, when you say all airheads can be converted 'very expensively' about how many beer tokens are we talking typically?

Steve.

 

[Steptoe]

Hi Steptoe, when you say all airheads can be converted 'very expensively' about how many beer tokens are we talking typically?

Steve.

The parts are very expensive. You'd have to ask a breaker or dealer for the prices.

 

[desmo2]

I've just received a kick box today which I got from a very friendly polish chap , kinda through Fleaby
Got it for a goodly bit less than his starting bid of £325 . I was advised by the sages here that it is an early box which has a longer input shaft than the post '81 ? Same spline tho' so can be fitted after shortening the shaft .......... hopefully

 

[SteveM]

I've just received a kick box today which I got from a very friendly polish chap , kinda through Fleaby
Got it for a goodly bit less than his starting bid of £325 . I was advised by the sages here that it is an early box which has a longer input shaft than the post '81 ? Same spline tho' so can be fitted after shortening the shaft .......... hopefully

Nice. What are you fitting it to?

 

[Rob Farmer]

Don't forget that you will also need the kickstart ignition module if you're fitting the kickstart gearbox. So that's another £100 or so to put in the budget.

The only thing I use my kickstart for is turning the engine over when setting the tappets. Once you've tried to kickstart an airhead once you wont bother again. You will also need a decent secure side stand. Dont expect to keep the paint on your frame tubes either

Kickstarts were fitted to later PD bikes as well as being an optional extra on all models.

 

[desmo2]

Steve , It's being fitted to a post '81 800 motor which I'm using in a Scheck inspired ISDT bike I'm building .
Forgot about that bloody ignition module tho ...... thanks Rob

 

[litelfun]

my gs is easier to start with the kick start as using the starter and it has a new baterie on it its easer than my uther gs as well and that has a new baterie on thier as well

 

[Essexadventure]

My '93 100GSPD has a kickstart...as far as I'm aware this is standard. Never used it!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Beemerboff]

My my G/S and GS both have them , and Boyer ignitions, but neither kick start will start the bike'

I have seen pictures of damaged teeth on the quadrant, the bit attached to the pedal,after light use so it would appear that they are intended for emergency use only. But some ignitions need fuLL battery volts to work , so a machine with flat battery might not start anyway.


The real reason for them is probably to let BMW claim a fictitious low weight , the first G/S s were listed as kick start only, with a small battery and no starter. Claimed weight was around 190 kg, and a starter was listed as an option.

It is unclear if any bikes were actually supplied without a starter, but the myth that the G/S IS 20 kg lighter than other bikes lives on lives on - mine is 241 kg with a full tank and and empty rack bag and rack.

 

[Captain Black]

My 89 PD has one. I recall it being a pain in the arse.

 

[SteveM]

Is there some sort of decompression device fitted to these bikes to aid kickstarting, or do you take your chances on a broken ankle and skinned shin?

 

[cookie]

Is there some sort of decompression device fitted to these bikes to aid kickstarting, or do you take your chances on a broken ankle and skinned shin?

the gearing is such that there is little effort in using the kickstart, and seems to work best using just ankle power. the downside is that one kick barely moves the crank.

my g/s has a kickstart and it will start the bike, given a fully charged battery and a bit of luck. if it doesn't start within a couple of kicks though, you're fucked though, and it will never go without using the button.

 

[Captain Black]

the gearing is such that there is little effort in using the kickstart, and seems to work best using just ankle power. the downside is that one kick barely moves the crank.

my g/s has a kickstart and it will start the bike, given a fully charged battery and a bit of luck. if it doesn't start within a couple of kicks though, you're fucked though, and it will never go without using the button.

Ironic how the electric start is the default setting on these bikes. I've never managed to start mine in the past on the kick start. I'm guessing it has to be right on the compression stroke , and a lot of Lady Luck with the first or second kick.

 

[tuftywhite]

I find mine starts best from cold on the kick start. Mainly I use it to just turn the engine a few times when the bike has been stood for a while (especially during the winter), just to ease the job for the starter motor. Probably in my head, but it works for me.