. I have a major problem with my shovel head. keep in mind its "kick only" It starts over perfect "first kick" every time when the engine is cold. But after a ride or I have to drive somewhere, there seems to be so much compression it is damn near impossible to start back up when I have to leave the place that I drove to. basically, cold it will start, HOT it is a bitch. Someone told me to check the points, any feedback would be greatly accepted....PS I don't don't want to put a electric start too expensive, plus I think it would take away from the bike.

 

I need to know a little more about your bike.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;What year, is its stock bore, what kind of carburetor? &nbsp\\;Do you have a high performance cam?&nbsp\\; All of these things can affect starting.&nbsp\\;

 

Hi thanks for answering. I'm pretty new, I inherited the bike. I do know that it is a 1971, there is a high performance cam and it has a S&S engine. I even went out today to start over and it does perfectly. But I just don't have the confidence in the bike to ride to the bank for fear that it is going to be a problem to kick it when its warmed up. As for the bore, I'm sure that it isn't stock. Thanks. I know its a shot in the dark.

 

I've heard from pretty reliable sources that for a shovel kicker, cold, it should take about 4 primer kicks, with ignition off, then at TDC, 1 good kick, ignition on. When it's warm, TDC, ignition on, and 1 good kick. When I first got mine, the timing was off, spark plugs were wrong, and the kick pedal left something to be desired. Once all these were corrected, problem solved.. now it's a 1-kicker hot or cold. So, long story short, timing? What kind of ignition?

 

What does TDC mean...

 

I went down to the local shop in Hollywood that works on older bikes and thats what he was saying. Man that would be great if thats the problem. Is that pretty easy to do or should I have a pro work on it and hopefully pick up some knowledge. Keep in mind I'm only 31 and this is my first classic

 

I had some problems with mine (Kick only), one day it would be fine then it wouldn't start for a week&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;the end result was other than myself, the timing was also retarded, I actually had to make the grooves in the backing plate about a 3/4 inch longer, for some unknown reason, but so far so good!!, goodluck

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The back plate slots seem to be a commom problem&gt\\;&nbsp\\; I think the replacement points have shorter rubbing blocks changing the position relative to the back plate were they break.

 

I had this problem some years ago. The valves were set up too tight in the guides. When the motor was cold, easy start, when the motor was hot and everything was expanded, I needed an elephant to stand on the kicker. I don't know that it's your problem though.
Also, again, some years ago, I bought a new points backplate, and couldn't get the bike timed. The slots were cut wrong. Took it back and got another one, and it was correct. I'm sure there was more than one floating around. The points plate, when properly timed, should be darned near center-slot. If it isn't, you need to look into it. (Cam not properly installed, bad backplate yada, yada)