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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: cliffrod on October 16, 2022, 07:50:48 PM

Title: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: cliffrod on October 16, 2022, 07:50:48 PM
As I’m slowly working on my V700 Corsa Record cafe project,  the starter detail is still uncertain.  The two original Record bikes (Ambassador model) had no starter, push start only.  I did that for a while on my V7 Sport when I was young and ambitious.  No more.  The original V700 starter has bendix/solenoid on the bottom, which will probably touch the planned exhaust pipe.  A later Bosch or Valeo starter has solenoid/bendix on top, which may similarly interfere with the planned carburetor mounting.  I haven’t fully mocked either exhaust or carb yet but don’t want to get to that point and have no Plan B.

Has anyone here made or tried doing a BMW-style kickstart for their Guzzi to replace the electric starter?  The one on our old /2 worked fine.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: guzzisteve on October 16, 2022, 08:50:33 PM
You save 10lbs, Ha Ha. I have a few times started on one then regained my sense. Like a BMV but you pull it off when started.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: Lee Bruns on October 16, 2022, 09:00:52 PM
I have never seen it done, but it will be VERY cool if you can make it happen.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: Shorty on October 16, 2022, 09:27:04 PM
How about a starter gear on a shaft, spring loaded to self extract. (Inward pressure keeps it engaged to flywheel.)  Make it long enough to use socket extensions skinny enough to bypass your exhaust/carbs.  Jerry rig a way to attach it all to a 20 dollar lawn mower 12v starter motor, so you don't need to ruin a Guzzi starter. Or, make an adaptor to put a BMW kicker transmission on the Guzzi. Third option is a device that rotates your rear wheel while the bike is on a connected lift.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: AJ Huff on October 16, 2022, 09:54:58 PM
I've always wondered if a kick starter couldn't be retrofitted on at least the loopframes. I think the 60s era Lodola had one? And I think the NATO V35/V50 maybe? Always wondered if a Guzzi Kickstarter could be transplanted.

-AJ

Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: John A on October 16, 2022, 10:34:39 PM
Here is a vid that may have ideas on ways to do it. https://youtu.be/_uFh3I-7gSI
 :grin: the second one is a kick starter
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: reidy on October 17, 2022, 12:32:46 AM
Some of the small blocks had a kick starter. The parts diagram shows how it worked so could be a good starting point.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: fotoguzzi on October 17, 2022, 08:04:55 AM
Here is a vid that may have ideas on ways to do it. https://youtu.be/_uFh3I-7gSI
 :grin: the second one is a kick starter
great video, thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: cliffrod on October 17, 2022, 09:20:21 AM
Here is a vid that may have ideas on ways to do it. https://youtu.be/_uFh3I-7gSI
 :grin: the second one is a kick starter

I’m actually familiar with that method.  There’s a throttle control engine at the shop.  It’s like a hit & miss but different. Think it’s mine, we’re not really sure who owns it anymore.   we got about a decade ago.  It’s got a crank for starting but after enough alcohol, the kick-the-flywheel-to-start method has been employed as we watched to see what would happen to PeeWee when he tried it…  it never gobbled him.
Title: Re: Kick start on a V-Twin Guzzi?
Post by: Frenchfrog on October 17, 2022, 12:52:05 PM
The V 50s supplied to the Dutch army had them but stock were not supposed to be that strong.I think those gearboxs also might have non standard ratio's. Some of the small block built to order Baja competition bikes also had them but you can count those bikes on one hand.Big bloc, never heard of it and I doubt that grafting one on would be easy or very pratical either.They would swing in the same way as the BMW ones did so dispacement and compression ratio would be hurdles!