Manual (Pull) start to kick start?

[mw_guthrie]

Hey everybody, this is my first post.

I was wondering if this issue has ever been discussed here before, or if it's covered in a technical section on anybody's diesel bike conversion page/site? I'm wondering how hard it would be, and would like to see if/how somebody has adapted a kick start to a small manual/pull-start diesel engine (on a bike).

[Diesel Dave]

Hi,

Fitting an old brit gearbox gives you a kickstart function anyway, you can remove the pull starter completely.

Enfield gearboxes (indian) are also suitable as they are not 'unit' construction with the motor.

regards
Dave

[mw_guthrie]

O.K. Thanks. I didn't realize that, but it makes total sense now that I think about it. I'll file that to memory. Now, this does not apply to my current situation so I'd still like to hear if anyone knows about other ways to do this. To be a little more specific, I'll have a small (3-4 h.p.) diesel engine and probably just a centrifugal clutch, so I'm trying to figure out how to directly convert a pull start to a kick start. I do, however, appreciate any info (like the previous post) and still consider it helpful, or at least damn interesting.

[Diesel Dave]

It should be fairly easy.

Bin the rope and outer casing but retain the centre clutch off the pull starter.

Turn up a centre button to fit the clutch and mount the kick starter lever.

Your only gonna get a half swing so position the motor at BDC before attempting kick starting - you cannot lever a diesel over compression like a petrol motor.

Best of luck.