NO KICKER

[cornishbob]

probably the wrong place to put this but hey-ho!!

so some bad news on the 'what bike i can have' front.

my knee is buggered and i mean BUGGERED. before you ask it is the right knee (leftie probably isnt far behind)

been told that when i have the new one fitted , under no circumstances must i use a kickstart with it.

i tried kicking with the leftie but it wasnt comfy. in fact not comfy at all.

so the a65 has gone, much to my disappointment but i have had to be pragmatic.

so what i'm asking is... anyone have any ideas about what oldie has a button start? ++NO INDIAN STUFF++

i cant think of any.

i was aiming to buy a rocket three and a wartime HD WLA but thats out of the window now.

any ideasto  point me in the right direction. i NOT turning japanese turning japanese i really dont think so

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Bob,

I assume that you have discounted the new BSA Gold Star but here are, although limited, other options.
There is the A65 kit from Ark Racing through Shropshire Classic Motorcycles and I believe that some members of the Forum have adapted Velo kits to fit B31/B33.

Dave.

[idie]

I think there is an electric start kit for the A65. I have a Gold Star kit on my B33.

[ferretjuggler]

With my best anorak on.
There were quite a few British offerings that had an electric start.
Probably nothing that would ever interest you but still.
Norton ES400 from the early '60's
Triumph Tigress scooter 250cc
Triumph Trident T160.
Norton Commando 850 mk3.
Just a pity that the latter was known for an electric start that hardly ever worked properly, it might have suited you

[ferretjuggler]

Oh, and I forgot about the Meriden Triumph T140ES.
Someone sold me one of those engines years ago.
The starter motor had smashed up the timing gears.
What a surprise.
Using the timing gears to start a 750cc twin was simply terrible engineering IMHO

[cornishbob]

hmm. ive read up about arc engineering. have they sorted the clutch problems?

the 'new' bsa's are of no interest

the trident is a maybe. never thought of that one

the commando is not on my wish list. a mate had one with no end of hassle

same with the trumpet

those smaller bikes arent really viable for me. i like em big!! and my bikes too

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

The Rocket 3 can be fitted with the T160 electric start. 

Dave.

[iansoady]

I think the advice you've had may be over cautious. I've had my left knee and right hip replaced and kickstarting isn't a problem. What is - unrelated to the replacements - is my confidebce that I can kickstart when astride the bike if I stall in traffic. So I've bought a Norton Electra which of course has required far more fettling than I was led to believe. Its electric start is good provided the battery is fully charged.

[redmelons]

I think there are quite a few A10s out there with electric starters (I'm getting one fitted to mine). Or Steve McFarlane may sell you one of his

BSA A10 650 with electric starter!!

[iansoady]

There's currently a Velo Venom with electric start on ebay.....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127006787382

[cornishbob]

i think but not totally sure , i am having a partial joint replacement...all depends what its like whilst i'm on the table.
it seems that my bones aren't as strong as they could be (how they detremined that i dont know). ive been told that when/if they splice the new bit in i have to be very careful for a long time and then theres no certainty it will hold up if i do anything overly aggressive.

if that is the case should i take a chance?
look pretty silly in the middle of town with my leg all floppy. or even worse imagine the chat on farcebook if it happened down the disco and me doing a new never seen before breakdance (or brokedance). i would never live it down

i will know for sure after theyve had a fiddle but being pragmatic i am considering the worst scenario and doing a damage limitation exercise.
theres no point in saying 'it'll be fine' then find out it aint fine. you wont know intil you hear the crack and you feel the need for a paracetamol. its too late then.

you never know it might turn out ok and i'll have to buy another!! bike...if she'll let me

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

The starter for the A65/A50 does not seem to be available at present so if sticking to a BSA there is the option of a pre-unit single or twin with electric start.
Steve Macfarlane's has proven to be reliable and the twins do come up for sale. Also, by tweaking the engine it can be made to be easy to start in the event of the starter failing.
A10s run well on 6.5:1 compression giving a gentle swing rather than an aggressive kick form sdtarting and as electronic ignition has a more controlled advance than the auto advance/retard the ignition can be set to make starting very easy.  An A7 would be even better.

Dave.

[cornishbob]

i'll have to do some research.

cant really do too much till its done and i know what the situation is.

scary to think though if the knee is as bad as they think it could have seriously failed at any time.

my life is in thier hands...well almost