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kickstart problem

Posted: 03:34 am Mar 21 2026
by comanacu
buna ziua
am o problema cu kdxul meu
daca invart de kickstarter cu mana, totul pare sa functioneze perfect
daca dau sa pornesc cu piciorul, nu se intampal nimic.
parca nici nu invarte blocul motor.
am desfacut capacul de la motor si nu gasesc nimic uzat, nici o roata dintata.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 08:42 am Mar 21 2026
by Chuck78
comanacu wrote: 03:34 am Mar 21 2026 Hello,
I'm having a problem with my KDX.
When I turn the kickstarter by hand, everything seems to work perfectly.
But when I try to start it with the kickstarter, nothing happens.
It's as if the engine isn't even turning over.
I took the engine cover off and couldn't find anything worn out—not a single gear.

Translated with DeepL app

Your ratcheting kickstarter mechanism is slipping due to wear, as well as likely a weak spring.

The clutch case housing needs removed to inspect this and replace the spring.

One of the two halves of the ratcheting mechanism is no longer available, but it can be repaired by a machinist.



Chuck78 wrote: 08:42 am Mar 21 2026 Mecanismul de pornire cu clichet al motocicletei tale alunecă din cauza uzurii, dar probabil și din cauza unui arc slăbit.

Pentru a verifica acest lucru și a înlocui arcul, trebuie demontată carcasa ambreiajului.
Una dintre cele două jumătăți ale mecanismului cu clichet nu mai este disponibilă, dar poate fi reparată de un mecanic.

Tradus cu aplicația DeepL

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 06:47 am Mar 23 2026
by comanacu
Everything seems to be fine there

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 09:05 am Mar 23 2026
by Chuck78
comanacu wrote: 06:47 am Mar 23 2026 Everything seems to be fine there
The coil spring in the assembly is likely to be weak and causing this engagement issue.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 10:27 am Mar 23 2026
by comanacu


i hope this helps

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 11:19 am Mar 23 2026
by comanacu
this is the last oil i used last time, but it was my first time using it
before this i used motul 4t 15w40
but my kid cant remember if he had the problrm before using FUCHS

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 11:30 am Mar 23 2026
by Chuck78
The oil shouldn't make much of a difference, and is perfectly fine to use as long as it's wet clutch compatible. If it says motorcycle, then it should be wet clutch compatible no problem.

I believe the issue is the spring in that kickstarter ratcheting assembly is too weak. This is a common problem. Replace it with new or find a similar dimension spring that is slightly more firm. If you do a search for the OEM part number on this forum or using Google, searching this forum only, you might be able to find someone's aftermarket replacement spring solution to get a slightly stiffer spring that will last longer than the originals.
I have one engine that I know has a weak spring that I need to find a replacement for this year when I rebuild it.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 01:21 pm Mar 23 2026
by comanacu
Are u talking about the spring in the video ?
The other one, at the other end, and the plastic bush I bought original, but this little one they don't make it anymore.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 07:07 pm Mar 23 2026
by SpruceItUp
That small spring behind the ratchet assembly is the one that likely needs replaced if the kick starter is slipping while you kick.

I replaced mine and it helped a lot, but it wasn't a total fix. My gears looked like yours, not extremely worn.
If you compare a new one (I found one on partzilla) and compare it to the old one there is a noticeable difference in stiffness.

I found that also going to a thinner oil helps as well when the bike is cold. I typically run Rotella T5 15W-40 in all of my bikes, and am now running it in my 92 KDX again as well. I've just noticed that when the bike is cold it will occasionally slip, while if I use something like ATF Type F it pretty much never slips. My understanding is that this is due to the thickness of the oil. But, once my KDX is warmed up the slipping goes away, and I prefer to run Rotella over ATF as it's cheaper and I always have a gallon on the shelf.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 07:12 pm Mar 23 2026
by SpruceItUp
Partzilla still has the OEM spring in stock.
If you find a stiffer one that would be amazing. I could definitely use one hahaha.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 11:22 pm Mar 23 2026
by Chuck78
SpruceItUp wrote: 07:12 pm Mar 23 2026 Partzilla still has the OEM spring in stock.
If you find a stiffer one that would be amazing. I could definitely use one hahaha.

I believe somewhere on this forum, it is documented someone finding a spring that is like the stock powervalve governor spring but stiffer or softer, in order to alter tuning characteristics, so finding a similar spring for the ratchet mechanism of the kick starter is certainly possible as well, going slightly firmer in pressure rating.

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 02:20 am Mar 24 2026
by KDXGarage
Any chance a washer is missing?

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 02:28 am Mar 24 2026
by comanacu
ok, thx for now
i found the spring, a little harder than the one instaled
ill will come back after cheking
thx very much

Re: kickstart problem

Posted: 11:13 am Apr 02 2026
by comanacu
Thx very much guys.
Today I managed to start the engine
I'll post a video when I have time to upload
I found a spring a little harder than the old one, and now the kickstarter works awesome.
Thx again for the help.