Starter motor needed in Le Mans

[Spout]

When in Le Mans you have to run at the bike from the other side of the road before you can start it.

 

[Bucephalus]

I’ve just seen this thread, and I am interested in the kick-starting you managed to achieve, my brief efforts a while ago failed miserably.

My first BMW (circa 1975) was an R60(5)..This was my first bike with electric start, but I rarely used it thinking I would wear it out, so used it sparingly if say late for work; needless to say kick starting it was easy.

TBH I was scared off of trying too vigorously, being warned the alloy kick pedal was prone to break..

But, you have piqued my interest.. Practice methinks.

 

[mikeyboy]

I’ve just seen this thread, and I am interested in the kick-starting you managed to achieve, my brief efforts a while ago failed miserably.

My first BMW (circa 1975) was an R60(5)..This was my first bike with electric start, but I rarely used it thinking I would wear it out, so used it sparingly if say late for work; needless to say kick starting it was easy.

TBH I was scared off of trying too vigorously, being warned the alloy kick pedal was prone to break..

But, you have piqued my interest.. Practice methinks.

I rarely try to kickstart airheads,
But I’m informed by those more experienced,
Don’t try to wang it over like you might on a big single,
But try to prod the kick starter firmly and in quick succession to turn the motor a few times.
Best of luck.

 

[richie]

NOT THE MAGNETS.

I had time to dismantle the starter and confirm the fault. To my surprise the magnets were in place, being held by metal ‘clamps’. But the dust cap of the reduction gear had come loose (it is pressed into a plastic housing and held by metal tangs) and had been drawn to the armature by magnetism. Each time the motor was used, it looks like it span up, allowing the motor to turn, but rubbing the windings if it got caught. It had been doing it for a while. I’d been a bit lazy and had ignored the strange noise it made. Until it finally jammed the armature. The bike was used regularly and it failed on day one of a foreign trip! Serves me right.

I thought Le MAns was running starts anyway