Triumphrat

jonkull

I've been having an unusual problem the last couple of days. In the early morning when it's cold outside my kickstart will not work. It doesn't engage and just moves freely. If I leave the bike in direct sunlight for a while or try to start the engine at any point during the day when the temperature has warmed up it will work normally.

What can cause this to happen?

DAVE M

maybe the bike won't want to go for a run if it's cold outside? My mate had a dog like that!

I can only assume that something is about to go, but the heat from expansion causes it to grip whereas if colder, it slipped.
It sounds weird.

It's not too hard to get into the kick-starter mech (get some cotter pins first) and a gasket if it uses one. Take a look.

i doubt it would be on the clutch side but you might be able to find the source of the problem by warming one side with a hot air gun on a cold day.

i must say that it must be flippin' hot there as I've never had something expand to that much in a UK summer

Triton Thrasher

Kickstart easy to press down but sometimes not turning the engine is usually breakage of the thin wide spring behind the kickstart ratchet pinion. You reach it by removing the gearbox outer cover with both pedals still on it, removing the nut on the mainshaft (check that it was tight) and pulling off the outer ratchet piece, then the ratchet pinion.

When removing the cover, keep a little downward pressure on the kickstart and try to keep the big clock spring in place.

Snakeoil

I've had no personal experience with this, but looking at the parts diagram I tend to agree with Triton here. The thin wide springr he is talking about is actually a flat wound spring called a thackeray washer. It is probably broken or weak and when the oil is cold and thick, it is not sufficient to engage the ratchet.

I suppose the nut could have backed off, but not sure why that would only make work when warm.

Try putting the bike in gear on the center stand and turning the rear wheel to turn the tranny a bit. It might make the ratchet engage.

Check your parts book or the parts book on-line and you will see the spring. You'll have to go in there regardless so might as well pick up the required spring and have it ready.


regards,
Rob

jonkull

I think the cold/warm thing was just odd coincidence. I stopped home at lunchtime and kicked it over and it started right up. I let the engine warm up a bit then shut it off, tried to start it again and had the same problem I had when it was cold in the morning. At least now I have something to do this weekend.

As far as the spring goes are you talking about part #24 on the attached diagram?

Attached Thumbnails

 

obollox

The spring is not in the case. It's located on the end of the gearbox shaft behind the pinion
that the kickstart quadrant engages into. This might help.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AHRMA-Triump...8d7e30&vxp=mtr

jonkull

Thanks for the link that was helpful. The part is #57-1250 Pinion Spring in the parts catalog in case anyone else ever has the same issue and sees this thread. I placed an order for one and will have it Friday. Hopefully when I open the gearbox on Saturday that's actually what the problem is and I'll be back to riding by Sunday.

Triton Thrasher

I'd have looked before ordering parts.

Triton Thrasher

White in a bulb means air got in. That's vibration.

If it happens a lot, you need to rubber mount the headlight, somehow.

jonkull

$3 part. If it turns out to be something else I'll have a spare spring.