Have you measured the compression?

Could be various reasons. It could have been built...very aggressively. If it was intended to be built that way, your only choice may be compression releases in the heads (new heads so equipped, or have yours modified), or a rebuild to install milder components. Monster starters can be had that will turn-over about anything. If the engine was built that way, compression releases may be your only choice, or a re-build to make it more friendly. If you don't know what's in/on that engine....it's just a guess.

 

I'll check my compression first, thanks.

 

Compression tests can be somewhat meaningless, but...it may give you an idea of what you're dealing with. Honestly, I've not had that much experience with high-compression engine builds. Just commenting on some things I do understand. Starter gearing (as well as kick-starter gearing) is obviously designed to accommodate standard compression motors. The guys I know that have high compression engine builds usually install compression release modified heads and even high-torque starters.

I've heard of people that reported as high as 180 on their stock EVO's, but I've never seen those numbers on any I had. 150-160 is more like the norm on a well broken-in engine, the minimum being 90 and balanced. You can make a test indicate about anything you want based on how it's done. I'd say that if you see numbers north of the 180 area...you have a decision to make.

 

Just wondering if installing the 585 easy start cam or the electric compression release would help?

 

You can get the manual releases for just a few $ each, but the heads have to be drilled-n-tapped to accept them.

May I ask what you know about this motor? Did you build it yourself, have it built or did it come to you this way from a previous owner? I'm just asking if you really know what's under-the-hood. If you want to keep the HP and performance, I suppose you'd have to do one-or-some of the things we both mentioned to make it crank-able.

Just to clear-up things...does it start with the starter and you're just seeking a kick-start alternative as a back-up?

 

Yes just for a back up.

 

It does start also. I've been looking online and YouTube for answers and they all bring up easy start cam but don't know if it'll work on kick start bikes.

 

This is the video I was talking about.

 

You'll have to decide if it's worth the money just for a back-up, but I had a kick-start on an 86 Softail that saved my butt on the way home from Daytona once. I added it as a "precaution". My alternator started crapping-out on the way home...unbeknownst to me. Me and my buddy stopped to gaze at the Swanee River and when I hit the start-button...it just moaned. Had it not been for the kicker....I would have had a wrecker case. The alternator was working just enough to make the bike run (had converted it to points), but it wouldn't spin the starter. That 5-speed kick-start got me home. I don't know anything about the easy-start cams either.

Good Luck!

 

A buddy of mine got a box of harley parts and it had a brand new custom chrome 5 speed kicker kit and I put it on to give it a shot and I got the new clutch adjustment screw that the instructions recommended and my clutch rod is flush with my clutch pack and I cant get the screw in. So my question is, how much do I need to cut off the clutch rod to be able to adjust my clutch to get it to work properly.
Thanksfor any help in this matter. I will get pics today after work.