Triumphrat

06-24-2003

I recently purchased a 1976 Bonneville, but I am having a heck of a time kickstarting it. Does anyone have any tips? Also does anyone know if it is possible to add an electric starter to this bike? Thanks.

06-24-2003

I recently purchased a 1976 Bonneville, but I am having a heck of a time kickstarting it. Does anyone have any tips? Also does anyone know if it is possible to add an electric starter to this bike? Thanks.

Will · 06-24-2003

Not starting could be all kinds of things. If you describe your symptoms and your routine, it would help figure out what is going on. I am unaware of an electric foot for that bike, but maybe somebody else knows of one.

Will · 06-24-2003

Not starting could be all kinds of things. If you describe your symptoms and your routine, it would help figure out what is going on. I am unaware of an electric foot for that bike, but maybe somebody else knows of one.

06-24-2003

I'm new at this so please bear with me. I think the problem is I'm not putting enough into the kick, but i'm unsure. I got it to start before I bought it, but when I got it home I couldn't get it. :???: I typically open the fuel cutoffs, turn the key, prime the right carb and give it a kick. There is also a black lever on the throttle which is all the way up, i'm not sure if that is the correct position for it ???

06-24-2003

I'm new at this so please bear with me. I think the problem is I'm not putting enough into the kick, but i'm unsure. I got it to start before I bought it, but when I got it home I couldn't get it. :???: I typically open the fuel cutoffs, turn the key, prime the right carb and give it a kick. There is also a black lever on the throttle which is all the way up, i'm not sure if that is the correct position for it ???

Will · 06-24-2003

I am hardly the local expert here, but it sounds like you are doing things right up to kicking it. I don't know what the lever by the throttle is. Make sure the bike is in neutral and you don't have the clutch lever pulled in. The clutch needs to be engaged for the kick to work, if I remember correctly. Also, you should be able to "feel" for where you are getting compression and make sure you kick it through that point. If you are doing that, you should get an idea of whether it is trying to fire or if it is just making your leg tired.

It has been a really long time since I kicked a bike, and that was a two-stroke Yamaha, not a Bonnie, so I hope some others with more recent experience will jump in and fill in the blanks. I really don't remember the fine points any more.

Will · 06-24-2003

I am hardly the local expert here, but it sounds like you are doing things right up to kicking it. I don't know what the lever by the throttle is. Make sure the bike is in neutral and you don't have the clutch lever pulled in. The clutch needs to be engaged for the kick to work, if I remember correctly. Also, you should be able to "feel" for where you are getting compression and make sure you kick it through that point. If you are doing that, you should get an idea of whether it is trying to fire or if it is just making your leg tired.

It has been a really long time since I kicked a bike, and that was a two-stroke Yamaha, not a Bonnie, so I hope some others with more recent experience will jump in and fill in the blanks. I really don't remember the fine points any more.

06-24-2003

Ihave a '76 also....usually I prime both carbs 'till a little gas squirts out...give it full throttle....kick it 2 or 3 times...back off on the throttle and it should start on the next kick (should being the operative word) The black lever is probably the choke (took mine off years ago) Full choke should be when the cable is pulled..I think by pulling th lever towards you. Try without the choke. Starting fluid might at least get it to fire...

Good luck

06-24-2003

Ihave a '76 also....usually I prime both carbs 'till a little gas squirts out...give it full throttle....kick it 2 or 3 times...back off on the throttle and it should start on the next kick (should being the operative word) The black lever is probably the choke (took mine off years ago) Full choke should be when the cable is pulled..I think by pulling th lever towards you. Try without the choke. Starting fluid might at least get it to fire...

Good luck