1972 harley sporty hardtail...kick start only.. starts up first kick everytime no problem when cold. once it warms up like 20 min ride or so. stop for a few mins then try to start it up wont start back up. i push started it when warm and started back up.. any idea what the problem could be? all original internals.

thanks
chad

 

In 1972 I baught a '72 XLCH. I still have a F'd up knee from kicking that thing trying to start it when it was hot. I learned that if I just cracked the throttle very slightly and gave it one good kick, it would start most of the time. If it didn't fire up after two kicks, I'd stop and have a beer and a smoke, then try again.

 

Rode a 72 for years, always shut the gas off every time you park it, they lways seem to flood.
If it doesn`t start first couple kicks hold the throttle wide open and kick it will clear it out.
The needle and seat may need replacing also, what carb are you running?
And watch out for that sporty knee.

 

Also, check the compression if low it will start harder. I believe the 72 was the first year of the 1,000 cc engine and harley bored out the 900`s to 1,000 only leaving about 30 thousands bore left. If it`s been bored out the cyl. walls are thin and warp easy causing low compression.