on a 1968 IronHead XLCH that's been rebuilt, but has a hard-to-start kickstart in that it takes a strong leg -and- you have to get it just right, what can be done?

is that normal?

can something be adjusted or changed to make it easier to start?

can an electric start be added?

or is that a fact of life with one of those models?

thanks.

 

Exercising will help.

 

at a fit 6' 195lbs I'm plenty strong, thanks.

it's more the pain in the *** that I'm concerned with. I don't want to fight it, especially in the heat/rain/whatever.

 

I don't know what to tell yuh. I was kicking in the 70's and I don't miss it a bit.

 

If it is in good shape and properly tuned up, she should pop right off, especially when doing a cold engine start. Maybe it's your starting technique.

I give my 75 two shots of gas with the throttle, close the choke, turn the idle speed screw in a half turn, give three prime kicks (ignition off), open the choke, turn on ignition and it will almost always start on the first kick.

When the engine is warm, it will usually start on the first kick, without doing anything else. I say usually, occaisionally it will pop once and then I will give it a few more kicks without doing anything else and it will start. A couple times after five or six kicks and no start, I've had to give it a little squirt of gas from the throttle and then she took off.

They're all a little different, but generally speaking, if it was a stock bike and in good shape, properly tuned, it should work about like that. If it doesn't, it needs work.

 

Two kicks with the key off and third with it on. More priming for colder starts, less for warmer. Get her to the compression stroke. Right knee on the seat, left on kicker, take you weight of the seat and transfer it to the kicker. A little throttle when you come down on her gently. Gee whiz I miss this.
Welcome from Freindly Manitoba
Mag or distributor? Points clean? Hows your timing?
also put FL round top caps on rear shocks for no bruising.

 

never had a kick start Harley but the old 69 honda is a breeze, pull choke half throttle started on the first kick.

I have heard the three kick thing though.
sorry for my useless 2 cents though.

 

sorry if I was unclear. I don't own this bike, but it's one I'm looking at, and it's (apparently) picky and I'm just inexperienced with them so I was wondering.

thanks for the comments.

 

Roll it up on compression, then give it a kick to pop it over, don't kick on it like a dirt bike.

 

The earlier the Ironhead, the more "finicky" it can be. IMHO, it's worth every minute of owning and riding one of the most iconic bikes to ever be produced. Buy it, the ride will make all else worth it!