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Stiff Kickstart action on 650ss

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Help! I'm slowly recommissioning a 650ss which seems to have been cobbled together from the parts bin somewhat over the past 60 odd years. I'm also battling my lack of experience with Norton's this being my first restoration of a Dommie. 

My issue at the moment is a very stiff and erratic kick start action.

  • the clutch frees off the kickstart nicely when the lever is pulled
  • with clutch engaged kicking the engine over the action is v stiff
  • the action feels different at times or not the same stroke to stroke 
  • Occasionally the swing will disengage(?) drop and clunk when being kicked
  • There is a very small amount of end float on the k/s spline

My last kickstart bike was a T140 and that was much lighter than this to kick over. Any thoughts or tips gratefully received. 

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Sounds like the KS pawl needs looking at , Mine was upside down for years ! ,The fact that the clutch can lift well and drum spin freely is only half the story, the clutch center could be half welded to the sleeve gear and it won't be felt.But your  issue  could be any where . Alternator rotor dragging on stator, Big ends wrongly assembled . Piston rings no gap, Seized rocker, solid primary chain , Tight new bore, Mainshaft woodruff key ridden up on assembly and now boring its way through the oilseal . Pushrod jamming in space between rocker and head, Valve gear interferance . Seized valve in guide, and so on.

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It's the pushrods I think. One of the exhaust valves doesn't open and the rest are all over the place. Off with the timing cover next. Love this bike! 

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Push rods not in the rocker cups possibly?  Bent wire and a torch through inspection  covers.  If so, you'll probably have to loosen head bolts and hope nothing is bent..

 



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