The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Gearbox, Clutch, Primary => Topic started by: a101960 on 31.07. 2017 15:45

Title: Kick start rubber
Post by: a101960 on 31.07. 2017 15:45
Has anyone found a way of preventing kick start rubbers from working their way off the pedal after 2 or 3 kicks?
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: Greybeard on 31.07. 2017 15:56
I have an almost unconscious habit of kicking the end of the rubber with the side of my boot after the engine starts.
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: Butch (cb) on 31.07. 2017 16:57
I have an almost unconscious habit of kicking the end of the rubber with the side of my boot after the engine starts.

Ditto.
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: Greybeard on 31.07. 2017 18:40
As demonstrated here:
https://youtu.be/GL0wT8kriTA (https://youtu.be/GL0wT8kriTA)
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: muskrat on 31.07. 2017 20:48
Yep same here for 36 years!
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: bsa-bill on 31.07. 2017 22:01
I use the rubbers that are open both ends, they seem to stay on better ( a bit better antway)
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: edboy on 31.07. 2017 22:29
i second that Bill. i also use a jubillee clip when the rubber splits.. still on the originals. well almost.
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: duTch on 31.07. 2017 22:43
 I had same problem and after a few 'new' replacements that split in a short time decided to make my own using oil hose with a SS inner sleeve, and custom washer to hold it on
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: orabanda on 31.07. 2017 22:56
Kickstarter rubber from a Yamaha DT400 works well.
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: mikeb on 01.08. 2017 02:15
currently ados f2 is holding. previously some construction adhesive worked for a while.
make a nail hole in the end of the rubber to relieve the pressure when sliding it on, and maybe a lose clamp overnight to hold in place.
but its an average solution, not great
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: Sluggo on 01.08. 2017 02:45
Modern replacements are crap! Sorry, but most are.  I have had rubber bits go to cracked and junk while the bike is on the bench for a rebuild (Okay, admittedly I sometimes take a long time) but it is disheartening to have fork boots, kick rubbers, shifter rubbers and footpeg prophylactics crack and fall apart in short order.

Never use silicone based materials (its bad news and gets near your paint makes it hell for anyone to ever repaint again) But there ARE a few products that will keep your rubber bits pliable and near new.  (Stay away from Armour All as well,,it makes it nice for a short while but accelerates wear and decay).

Glue or adhesive is generally not great for  a kicker as with the motion of the kick, the rubber piece should not stay fixed or stationary... Rolls a bit under the boot.  But I have seen and done it myself a few times is take some stainless acft safety wire (0.032 thou") and do 2 turns smartly around the end furthest away from the bike. Many kickers have a blob or knob on the end anyway so adjacent to that.  Do the pigtail short and tuck it back in so not to protrude and stays on the underside out of site.

Use care when cinching up the stainless wire tight. You want it very secure but not so much as to slice THRU the rubber or distort it too bad.  You just want to cinch things up near the proud end so it doesnt slip off.  Remember about that rotate while kicking bit as well. (So, goldilocks tight, not TOO tight and not too loose)

many people secure grips this way too, and hoses instead of clamps.  Done right it looks good, done wrong,, it looks bad.  I am sure there is some dandy safety wire classes on youtube these days.

Also very handy tool to have to secure bits known to fall off. (its equally useful for airplanes and old Iron bikes)

(Dont poke your eye out!)
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: kiwi george on 01.08. 2017 04:43
I drill & tap a thread in the end of the kick start lever find a s/s washer about 25 mm in diameter & a screw to suit thread you have tapped out I have done this to my A10, B31 & B33 with complete sucess
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: mikeb on 01.08. 2017 05:24
Quote
drill & tap a thread in the end of the kick start lever...
i like that idea. might try it myself  *smile*
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: bikerboy on 16.08. 2017 22:49
I make sure all mine start 1st kick so its not a problem  *smile*

No seriously, I have the inbuilt habit that muskrat and greybeard have, I kick it over and automatically boot the rubber whether its coming off or not
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: edboy on 17.08. 2017 21:35
sluggo, i would be very careful wirelocking on a original bsa if i was you. an unauthorised repair and dubious standard modification in my book. wirelocking the sump bolts is a sure fire way of telling that bikes been raced in the past and past its best. wirelock only on the 2 primary drive inner cover bolts or if riding in quest for the maudes trophy.
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: muskrat on 18.08. 2017 10:02
Bugga. Ed just gave me up. I'll have to delete the "just used on Sundays to go to church by a grandmother" in my for sale add.
Cheers
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: edboy on 18.08. 2017 22:06
hi muskrat,
its good to have young blood on the forum. so what does your grandmother do about the slipping kickstart rubber problem?
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: muskrat on 19.08. 2017 09:44
If she used a rubber I wouldn't be here  *shh*
Cheers
Title: Re: Kick start rubber
Post by: Butch (cb) on 21.08. 2017 16:11
If she used a rubber I wouldn't be here  *shh*
Cheers

Ish. Maybe she just tapped it on with her boot afterwards?