Enfield 500 Kickstart Kick back

[peter]

Hi all,
I know it's not about a BSA but the problem can be also present in a BSA.I also have a Royal Enfield 500 J2 1949.
when I start it strikes back. What can be the reason.Pre-ignition is ok ,choke is ok.
now a rather silly question, what position for to  kick start the Bike ist the best, aside the Bike or on the Bike?
Regard Peter

adm edit: 'Enfield 500' added to topic title

[trevinoz]

G'day Peter,
                       I have had a bit of experience with Enfield singles starting kick backs.
If you don't retard the spark to just right, they tend to try to throw your leg over your shoulder.
You should slowly push the engine onto compression, lift the valve lifter until the engine is just over top dead then give a good kick.
I start them in either position, astride or beside.
  trev.

[a10 gf]

I'd say standing on the left footrest (if the footrest\sidestand\centerstand is up to the job!), then a very firm kick. Maybe check that it's retarding enough, you can check the piston position when in full retard.
Edit: Singles are dangerous stuff! My xt500 has been very unforgiving on a few occasions.

Regarding an a7\a10, I believe an ok ignition will never be prone to breaking anyone's leg unless maybe one is extremely weak on the kick.

[BSA_54A10]

Since ripping off my right foot ( yes they put it back on, sort of ) I have had to learn to kick left footed standing alongside my bikes.
To my amazement they all started much easier, including the B50 which used to be a real bugger at the best of times.
The only bike I can not do this with is a Commando then they have such a high kick ratio I was not supprised.
The primary reason was that when standing you do not swing your weight but rather kick with your muscles and as you are standing on the ground with your other foot you are not opening the throttle as your body weight descends.
Other good thing is that in the case of a kick back, it just lifts your other leg of the ground momentarily.
Try it. Takes a bit of getting used to but in the long run a lot easier on you and the bike than jumping on the kick start from a great height.

[iansoady]

Standard big single starting procedure:

1. Retard ignition about half way (if applicable)
2. Close air lever
3. Lightly flood carb
4. With throttle barely cracked open, lift valve lifter and push kickstart down through a full stroke
5. Release valve lifter, press kickstart till it comes up against compression
6. Raise valve lifter and push kickstart down just over compression (distance varies with engine)
7. Let kickstart return to top of stroke
8. Still with throttle barely cracked, apply long swinging "kick" (well actually more of a push) - keeping right knee slightly bent

If this doesn't work, repeat from step 4.

This technique uses the momentum of the flywheels to get the engine rotating as you have nearly a full revolution before hitting compression. It's worked well on all the singles I've had (and better than the Velo recommended method for my Venom).

Oh, and I always find it better to start astride the bike and with the bike off the stands.

[RichardL]

Trevor,

"Ouch" is an enormous understatement.  I assume you are not joking about your foot.  Was your injury due to a kickstart kick back, or another type of accident?  Sorry,  if this is personal,  but you've left us (at least,  me)  in some suspense with jaw(s)  dropping.

Richard L.

[Butch (cb)]

Conversely, the ghastly Armstrong Rotax I had for a while was a left foot kicker. I just could not get the hang of it. I had to stand next to it and use the right foot still.

[peter]

Hi all,
once the Enfield that bitch kicked back and I flew back about two and a half meters,afterwards my foot was blue and green.I've never had a bike before with such a strong kickback.But for to go for it  is very nice.

Thank you for all the good advice,
Regards Peter

[muskrat]

Yep, retard the ign a tad. The XT has to be spot on. It got me a while back, couldn't walk for 3 days.
Cheers

[wilko]

My matchy 500 single is set on permanent advance and it starts first kick with no throttle. No throttle  allows maximum suction, and never kicks back.

[BSA_54A10]

Truck at 105 mph .

When Shane & I bumped into Richard a while back we were seriously thinking of starting a group for "perviously deceased motorcyclists"
I was pronounced DOA at casulty, Shane was put into a forced coma for a week after being t-boned.

But on a more serious side a lot of members who could never start their singles found that they can do it reliabily left footed although they all swore black & blue that they were not twisting the throttle when starting right footed they had no trouble left footed.
It is a natural action like running off the road when you turn your head behind you or that old joke about the arrows on the urinal wall.

"Ouch" is an enormous understatement.  I assume you are not joking about your foot.  Was your injury due to a kickstart kick back, or another type of accident?  Sorry,  if this is personal,  but you've left us (at least,  me)  in some suspense with jaw(s)  dropping.

Richard L.

[peter]

I thought I had it under control now, but the old witch,she has done it again,they gave me back a huge kick.This time I was on the side and tryed to start with the left foot, so I could avoid most of shock.  
I`m going to tame the damn thing!
Regard Peter
 

[wilko]

Stop touching the throttle!