ET: Engine (Twin) Kickstart Spring Replacement Frequency

Michael Vane-Hunt

Michael Vane-Hunt

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You did my B on the road at a motel in Republic Washington. My spring broke when trying to start after crossing the border at Frontier. A bungee cord got me through the day. Robert finally took pity on me at my failing feeble attempt, to replace the spring through the inspection hole and just popped in a new spring in 30 seconds. This is a perfect example of having the right tool, Mr. Watson, along when on a ride and why we follow Robert faithfully where ever he leads.
 
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Peter Holmes

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chankly bore said:
There is a better alternative, a Honda propstand return spring. It is in "Forty Years On", for memory.
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I am a bit of a sucker for any new suggestion, I feel almost compelled to try anything new that is claimed to be better than what I am currently using, so a few years ago I purchased a couple of the Honda springs, and then tucked them away somewhere, as I type, I have no idea where they are, but so far I have not needed to use them, I seem to remember it being stated that you have to modify the hook/eye at one or both ends of the spring, but it poses the question, what in fact makes it a better spring, is it stronger, weaker, longer lived in service, what actually makes it better?
 
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chankly bore

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Peter Holmes said:
I am a bit of a sucker for any new suggestion, I feel almost compelled to try anything new that is claimed to be better than what I am currently using, so a few years ago I purchased a couple of the Honda springs, and then tucked them away somewhere, as I type, I have no idea where they are, but so far I have not needed to use them, I seem to remember it being stated that you have to modify the hook/eye at one or both ends of the spring, but it poses the question, what in fact makes it a better spring, is it stronger, weaker, longer lived in service, what actually makes it better?
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Years since I owned a Twin, but stronger and readily available worldwide.
 
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Peter Holmes

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chankly bore said:
Years since I owned a Twin, but stronger and readily available worldwide.
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If it is a Honda product, and it is mentioned in 40 Years On, I would very much doubt that it would be readily available worldwide, that is if you are suggesting that you would be able to walk into any Honda dealership and expect them to stock vintage Honda spares, David Silver, maybe, and perhaps other specialist vintage Honda spares suppliers. When was 40 Years On published, late 1980s?
 
kerry

kerry

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Just to put any worried person at ease, I am only an average mechanic and had to do this, with a torch and piece of wire I got the broken one out and with another piece of wire to stretch the spring up I did the job in about 5 minutes through the inspection hole, bit easier than many other job's that can pop up anytime.
 
Speedtwin

Speedtwin

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You might end up replacing a knee and a spring!
I recommend having a fresh good quality spring fitted and a spare hidden on the bike.
Takes no time at all to pull the cover off, gives you a chance to adjust and check the gear change as well as changing the spring and cast an eye over the buffer when your in there.
Last time I did mine took an hour to strip and reassemble including adjustments greasing and spring replacement.
I noted my casing has had a repair on the buffer front leading corner of the cover.
Nice alloy weld also gave me a chance to remove all the shite in the bottom of the cover, bits of springs etc......
 
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