Sherpa Kick-start Question

[Short Stuff]

Now that I have my resto to the point of being able to start it, I'm having issues with the kicker itself.

In 'resting' position, the starter sits like this (based on picures I've seen):



Starting the kick sees the lever vertical from this position, and when I kick through, the lever hits the brake pedal:



Following through the kick and the lever pushes the brake pedal towards the crank case and ends up underneath it and un-able to return:



This doesn't seem right!  Can anyone please point out what I am doing wrong?  Or is this what I should expect?

Thanks.

[matcho mick]

tweak the brake pedal ina tad,& or flatten the ring section,so it misses,easy peasy??,

[80-85 husky]

pretty sure your pedal is bent a tad. i think they are supposed to be dead straight.

[David Lahey]

Another thing while you are working on the brake pedal, it looks like the pedal tip is a fair bit too high. It's normal to use the swingarm pivot tube as a stop but yours looks like the stop tab on the pedal is a bit short.
Might be just the angle of the photo. For trials its good to have the top of the pedal the same height as the top of the footpeg

[David Lahey]

and if the tip is lower, it can be tucked in under the casing brace so the kickstart misses it

[David Lahey]

You are fortunate to have a RH shift Sherpa T because with LH shift it is very easy to knock the bike into gear as you kick it

[huskibul]

I like to have my bully  kicklevers backed off one spline from that position (easier on spring) and puts start of stroke in a better position ! Then on stroke let your heel hit peg ond keep stabbing/rotating the lever until it starts ,if its warm and running right one sharp kick is usually enough ! Nice resto SS cheers

[huskibul]

As dave said the pedal is maybe a bit high and a tad out if theres a bit of play in pivot you may be able to pack lever inward with washer or tweak lever but not much it can hit frame rail ,my mod 91 sherpa lever hits pedal also but rarely hangs up - it rarely goes down that far by using that previous technique

[Short Stuff]

That's all great info guys, thanks.

Yes, the brake lever is sitting a hit high.  There is a 'groove' worn into the swing arm pivot where the lever has been hitting back onto it.  Since that pic, I have sleeved a bit of rubber over the stop, which has forced the lever down a bit.

I'll take some of your (collective) advice and bend/straighten the brake lever and make sure it's sitting a bit lower and under the side cover, as well as bring it 'back' a spline or 2 to make kicking a bit easier for my short legs!

Thanks again.