longer kickstarter?

[TiffanySpree]

Well, I got the new AF16 motor started and heat cycling! I don't have a starter at the moment and so I just use the kickstarter. I notice how teeny and short the arm is (as is most 50cc). It is about 6". In the z50 world, there is available a longer kickstarter at about 8". Now, to get a bit stronger crank with the kickstarter, I'd like to have longer one. Is there one from a bigger scooter that will bolt on? It is a 13mm shaft I believe. I was thinking a motorcycle one but since scooters are left-handed, motorcycle versions won't work.

[Bear45-70]

A longer lever will slow down the cranking speed, not make it faster.

[Spreetard]

I used a Honda Express or ExpressII kick lever, it's way longer and makes it very easy to kick over.

[TiffanySpree]

A longer lever will slow down the cranking speed, not make it faster.

I had to think about that for a little bit. True, for the same kick speed, a longer lever will produce a slower speed at the kick shaft. But it will also give more leverage. Not that an 78cc is hard to kick. Good point, though.

[Trafficjamz]

I used a Honda Express or ExpressII kick lever, it's way longer and makes it very easy to kick over.

You have an Urban Express kick lever.

[martynkim]

I see no advantage to a longer kickstart.

[Trafficjamz]

I see no advantage to a longer kickstart.

Easier to kick on high compression, large cc engines.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Pfft, if you can't kick over a 125 Hi-Comp stroker with Honda-san's own kick
lever, your next scooter needs to be a Hover-Round.

Former XL-600R ownern BSA 441 Victor rider. Never kicked an Ironhead to life, but ever heard of Sportster Knee?
I bet you could Google it.

[TiffanySpree]

Of course I can kick it over, it's not necessary. For a few bucks, why not make it a "little" easier with no real disadvantage. Hmm, hopefully it doesn't hit the ground while off the stand. Maybe that's why it needs to be short? Don't need to answer. This thread is getting too long. It got my answer. Thanks!

[Spreetard]

Short threads? we'z not so good at that.

But, as Trafficjamz corrected me in saying, I have an Urban Express kicker on my dio powered spree, it's at least 2 inches longer. Whether or not the extra length is needed, I for one think the long kicker looke kinda cool... I'll snap a pic tomorrow.

[TiffanySpree]

Yeah, I hear that! Most forums I'm on love having in-depth discussions and the finer points!

Yeah, I would say the longer ones do have a cool factor.

[808BMW]

That extra leverage isn't needed no matter the size of the motor, but I'd bet it does put a little extra force on your kicker gears inside the case...

Cons outweigh the pros in my opinion.

[Spreetard]

That extra leverage isn't needed no matter the size of the motor, but I'd bet it does put a little extra force on your kicker gears inside the case...

Cons outweigh the pros in my opinion.

... err, no. The amount of strain on the gears is more determined by:

1) The rotational resistance of the engine. Short of having such high static compression that the kicker literally needs jumped on, any rotational force beyond that needed to overcome TDC is applied to turning the engine. Well, most of it. The extra strain from a longer kicker would be negligible. There are variables I'm leaving out, but they would not effect the outcome severly.

2) How you kick (i.e. if you mule-kick like fastplastic your kicker will wear out faster).


The same overall amount of energy is needed to rotate the engine. Increasing the amount of energy input will result in the engine turning faster, the opposite of which is a side effect of the longer (slower) kicker. In turn, the engine is easier to turn over; but as it cannot be turned as fast, it is possible that the longer kicker is less destructive under certian conditions than its shorter counterpart.

808bmw, You are the wheelie king. You supply me with awesome scoot vids while I'm cooped up all winter. But despite my mad respect for you and your crew, Methinks your assesment of the forces involved in kicker function slightly off.

[fastplastic]

Spreetard
2) How you kick (i.e. if you mule-kick like fastplastic your kicker will wear out faster).

It helps if all parts are put together correctly and you find a cover with a good bushing! no problems since then *! lol