Hey all, Looking for a little help or maybe advice. I recently have been practicing push starting my '03 883. There is no problems with it, but I want to have the know how. . . in case I need it.


The first time I tried it, it worked right away. Now I have tried subsequent times and it I can't get it to work. I have a decent hill at the end of the driveway, so I can get the motorcycle up to about 8mph.


I am having a really tough time pushing it while it is in gear and the clutch is pulled. I am not sure if I need to adjust the clutch or not. Neutral it rolls normal, then I pull the clutch and shift and it becomes very difficult to push.


But anyway I tried pushing it in neutral today; to it up to about 9mph, pulled the clutch and shifted into 2nd. Before I was able to let the clutch out to get it to try and turn over, the back tire locked up and screeched on the pavement.


1. Do think the clutch needs to be adjusted? It feels like it works when it is running, no problem.
2. Is second gear the proper gear, or should I do 3rd?
3. Is it normal for it to be really difficult to up shift when the motor is not running? I find it to be very tough.
4. What is the proper process? a. Push up to speed in neutral; pull clutch, shift and let out clutch all in one motion. b. Hold in clutch, shift to gear; push up to speed and then let go of clutch.

 

If the bike is cold, the clutch plates can stick a little bit and cause drag. Mine is tough to push while in gear when it is cold. If it is warm it is just like neutral.

 

That is good to know, I was worried that something was wrong. So I am guessing that it would be best to go with scenario a. then when trying to push start. Push it in neutral then shift when I get to speed. I think this is what locked up my tire though any way you can think to get around that?

 

Try using a higher gear, at least 3rd or 4th.

 

Use the starter.

 

+1

P. S. Don't forget to change the air in your tires first. Rolling resistance is increased with old air.

John

 

I will have to challenge you on that. Older air has more carbon in it and contributes to global warming. Best to get a cow and have it fart into a vacuum, then use that to fill your tires.

It's only sensible...

 

But methane is lighter than air so it will lighten up his rotating mass and decrease friction. Might have to add a bunch of wheel weights, pure lead ones, to off set the lighter tire air.

 

While this makes sense because it makes it easier to turn the engine over, in my personal experience it does not work. The reason is that I can't get the engine to turn over fast enough to trigger the ignition (this is from my vast experience push starting vintage bikes that I ride way before they're ready, haha).

There is a balance between getting the engine to turn over fast enough and not screech the tire. My solution to this is 2nd gear and doing a jump and landing my *** in the seat at the exact moment I drop the clutch.

It may look funny to see a guy running down the street hopping side saddle on and off his bike, but it gets it running!

 

You can also try starting down the hill in neutral, then when you get your speed pull in your clutch, shift into second, let out your clutch. An old habit from dirt biking is I bring my weight down on my footpegs as I let the clutch out for traction.
Every bike I have ever had has been hard to push in gear with the clutch in, it's normal.