Almost springlike this morning so thought I'd get the bike going....
After a few kicks there was a clank and it stopped turning the engine.
Still returns with the spring but doesn't engage.
What's the most likely cause and fix please.
Cheers,
Bernie
You didn't say which year your SS90 was and whether it was a distributor or side point model? The kickstart mechanism was completely different for the two models.
If it's an earlier distributor model, this has a Tiger Cub like kickstart spindle that incorporates a spring loaded pawl that engages with the ratchet teeth inside the right-hand most layshaft gearbox pinion. If the pawl breaks or comes loose, the kickstart spindle will no longer engage with the pinion and turn the engine over.
If its a side points model, this uses a toothed kickstart quadrant that engages with the ratchet pinion bolted to the end of the gearbox mainshaft. For the kickstart mechanism not to engage would probably require either catastrophic damage to the ratchet pinion and its ratchet or for the retaining nut to have come loose.
Of the two SS90 models, a kickstarter problem will probably be easier to fix on a later model since everything is on the outside of the inner timing cover. For the earlier model, the kickstart ratchet mechanism is inside the gearbox requiring the inner timing cover to be removed to get at it.
Many thanks for the info. It's a distributor model so sounds like I may have to get to the innards :(
I hadn't realised that the SS90 was still being built after the change to side points.
Cheers,
Bernie
I had the SS90 continuing to the end of the 1965 season and assumed it was switched to side points in that year?