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Broken Kick starter
Posted: 06:48 pm Aug 29 2010
by frankenschwinn
Went to ride today. Started the bike to warm it up. It ran and died. When I went to start it again the kicker finally broke off. I have a friend in town that has a KDX and he was nice enough to deliver the kicker from his bike to me at the trail. Thankfully I have a KX250 kicker on the way.
Posted: 09:20 pm Aug 29 2010
by johnyblaze
With that weak KDX kicker it could happen to anyone on any day. Nice to have friends, eh? Glad it all worked out.
Posted: 09:28 pm Aug 29 2010
by TWMOODY
You ever think of push starting your bike when the kicker finally broke off ??
Posted: 07:31 am Aug 30 2010
by frankenschwinn
I did until he showed up. it sucks to be at the bottom of a valley in the tight woods needing to bump start...
Posted: 07:38 am Aug 30 2010
by KarlP
Here is a thought concerning kick start levers
http://kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9197
You'll never have to worry about THAT again.
Posted: 05:20 pm Aug 31 2010
by Mr. Wibbens


johnyblaze wrote:With that weak KDX kicker it could happen to anyone on any day. Nice to have friends, eh? Glad it all worked out.
What's weak about the stock kicker?

Posted: 05:29 pm Aug 31 2010
by frankenschwinn
Mine broke. That was weak...
Replaced with a KX250 knuckle and KX125 lever. 250 lever was too long.
Posted: 05:56 pm Aug 31 2010
by johnyblaze


Mr. Wibbens wrote:

johnyblaze wrote:With that weak KDX kicker it could happen to anyone on any day. Nice to have friends, eh? Glad it all worked out.
What's weak about the stock kicker?

A poorly designed (accident waiting to happen) boss/lever joint and a lever so skinny (disadvantageous L/D ratio) that only a mother could love it.
Not to mention the fact that it's so long it takes a 2 foot swing to light the biotch up. Oops, I just did.
Posted: 05:57 pm Aug 31 2010
by Indawoods
Oh... mine is 15 years old... works fine.

Posted: 06:13 pm Aug 31 2010
by Mr. Wibbens
Fugger will last longer than a pos frp lever

Posted: 06:31 pm Aug 31 2010
by frankenschwinn
I think mine was a freak thing. It developed a crack at the base of the lever. I welded it but welding cast metal is troublesome at best.
Posted: 08:18 pm Aug 31 2010
by rbates9
Mine is about ten years old and is not even on the list of things to replace/fix/upgrade. But it also starts by the second kick on a bad day so maybe it just has low milage.

Posted: 08:32 pm Aug 31 2010
by hockeyboysomers
My stock lever was starting to point backwards, I didn't think it was so bad. Then the circlip on top of the knuckle decided to disappear into the mud . This happened just 1 minute before my row had a dead engine start at the Unadilla GNCC race. The top part of the lever fell off and was useless. Needless to say my row left without me. I was able to Rube Golberg the lever back on with some borrowed safety wire. By then the rest of my row had a 20 minute head start on me.
Posted: 07:59 am Sep 01 2010
by frankenschwinn
Here is how it came out.

Posted: 09:47 am Sep 01 2010
by KarlP
Look at that!
Did you put a washer under the nut on the splined shaft?
A little off the "heel" and it'll fold right in, if it isn't already. Can't tell from here...
Posted: 09:41 pm Sep 01 2010
by Griffbones
How do you like the shorter lever?
Does your foot run in to the foot peg when starting?
How much does this conversion cost?
Sorry for so many questions, I just get inquisitive.

Posted: 01:49 am Sep 02 2010
by frankenschwinn
I like it.
Foot does hit but not bad
I had a kx125 lever and found a KX250 lever and knuckle on ebay for 35.00
Posted: 06:34 am Sep 02 2010
by KarlP
How much does this conversion cost?
It would depend where you get the parts. All new, about the same as the FRP set up.
Posted: 06:39 am Sep 02 2010
by Griffbones
Thanks for the info

Posted: 09:25 am Sep 09 2010
by ogri
i've recently fitted a brand new OE kickstart.very disappointed about the wear that already visible on the knuckle.i try to be gentle with it and not slam it into the footrest.