Hello from a wet Tavistock Devon ;D
My name is Matt and I'm soon to be the proud owner of a B31 on Thursday.
The bike belongs to my father Paul who has not really used it much as he likes to ride his Indian and Harley more.
Dad's been busy getting a few jobs carried on it before it gets delivered down to Devon. He's not on this forum or a BSAOC member. He has put a new clutch kit it and a few other jobs which he can explain much much clearer than me ( my mechanical comprehension limit is changing a set of discs& pads, oil and filter on a car). We have got an issue with the Kickstarter slipping! are there any members here who know this model well enough and be happy to speak with him on the phone who may know what the issue could be. Obviously if you PM me I can give you his number or he could call you. He would be free tomorrow,like I said we need to resolve the problem before it gets loaded onto a third party van on Thursday. Hope someone can help. Thank you in advance. All the best. Matt
Are the kickstart gears jumping out of mesh? That would make quite a grating noise if so. Or, more likely is the clutch slipping when you attempt to kick the motor over. This will make no noise. The kickstart will go down but the engine won't go over compression. Since it has a new clutch fitted it may be as simple as just tightening the springs.
Hi Derek996
I've screenshot your reply to him as both he and the bike are in Dorset. I know he said it's making grating noise.
Thanks for replying.
Regards Matt
Hi Matt
Where about in Dorset are you?
Quote from: B31Matt on 09 Feb, 2026, 19:32 Hi Derek996
I've screenshot your reply to him as both he and the bike are in Dorset. I know he said it's making grating noise.
Thanks for replying.
Regards Matt
Sounds like the ratchet teeth are worn then.
i'm in Shaftesbury
It's looks like it's the Kickstart Quadrant,first couple of teeth have enough wear on them to make the contact poor. Now on the search for a new quadrant asap everything on eBay looks to be made in India and I need one to arrive tomorrow in Dorset not looking good is it. The bike is in Dorset (Westmoors), I'm in Devon.
Just replaced the kickstart quadrant and ratchet pinion on my B31.
It might be advisable to replace both while you have the gearbox cover off.
I got mine from Classic Bike Shop Redditch,and although theoretically you can order on line,I found it doesn't always work,so I order by phone.
Be careful to order the correct Quadrant as there are two different types.The one for the B31 allows the kickstart to be at about ten o clock at rest,but the other type is for the Gold Star and the kickstart will be at 12 o clock at rest.This is for rearset footrests.
I mistakenly ordered the Gold Star quadrant,and at rest the kickstart touches the back of my leg.I can either order the correct B31 one,but they are rather dear,or perhaps a cheaper fix will be a folding kickstart.
I'd try Kidderminster motor cycle 01562 66679
Competent and knowledgeable
After calling all above and more (couple of engeeinng firm) all to no avail. I found one in Oz or one in Austria so went for the one in Austria in the end. Some are on eBay but made in India with possible quality control issues, a lady at one firm said the Indian made ones are what's causing the problems because the UK manufacturers can't match the price so they think "what's the point of doing a run of them if they can't sell them".
Quote from: Derek996 on 10 Feb, 2026, 10:13 Quote from: B31Matt on 09 Feb, 2026, 19:32 Hi Derek996
I've screenshot your reply to him as both he and the bike are in Dorset. I know he said it's making grating noise.
Thanks for replying.
Regards Matt
Sounds like the ratchet teeth are worn then.
We have put a new ratchet and ratchet pinion in now too Derek
The part that wears the most is the ratchet gear.
Two types - later pointy teeth (kickstart and ratchet gear) and early type (pre-55) flat top teeth.
I cannot emphasise too much that they should be of the same type to be compatible. Many sellers do not know what version they have.
Mixing them results in rapid wear and jamming.
Due diligence required.