1962 C15S Kick Starter

[C15S]

Engine turns over easily in both directions, but I cannot turn over the motor with the kick starter.  Won't budge.  My first concern was that it was out of time and that the piston was coming up against a valve opening.  That is not the case.  I have tried using the kick starter in neutral, and with the clutch in, but it will not turn over.

When I bought the bike, the inner cover was off the right side.  I am fairly certain the gear cluster and shift forks are in the correct position.  I can hold the shift plate in the neutral position and spin the rear wheel.

Any ideas??

[Beesy]

Can you turn the engine over by putting it in gear and rotating the back wheel?  Take the spark plug out so there is no compression causing resistance. Try it in each gear to check all gears engage correctly.

If you can, it could be the kickstart quadrant. The first tooth that engages with the cog can wear resulting in it jambing.

To confirm take the spark plug out and with the bike on the centre stand and in gear try gently pressing the kickstart by hand and rocking the back wheel backwards and forwards. Wiggling and jiggling it about will often get them to mesh confirming that once they do it all works OK.

Replacing it requires a little bit of dismantling, but not much.

Let us know how it goes.

[C15S]

Success!!  Not sure how, but I think I had set the gear change quadrant incorrectly relative to the cam plate.  Took it all apart, carefully set plate and quadrant to neutral, then put it all back together.  Kick start lever now turns over motor.  Thanks for the reponse.

[Beesy]

Good stuff!