Kick starter grinds while riding

[NoGo]

Hello

Noobie question here so pardon the ignorance. I have a 1984 Honda CB 125s, runs great except one problem. My kick starter is lightly grinding while riding, usually 40+ mph and seems random but more often going up or down hills. I obviously cant watch it constantly while riding but I can feel it hitting my leg when it does catch. It seems to be sucked in, grind, then get kicked out (and it fucking hurts if it hits the ankle just right).

Through some reading I believe it may be the kick starter spring is worn out? but but I have little knowledge of this. I also found out there is an internal and external spring.

Any ideas on what could be happening and what exactly I need to do to fix it?

Also I have parked it until I fix it for fear of grinding the kick starter gears off. Like I said it is a light grinding and has only happened maybe a dozen times so I am hoping any damage is minimal if at all other the normal wear and tear for an old bike.

[Vincent]

Aye....you usually get that noise if the kickstart is operated while the engine is running. Could be that the kickstart lever is in the wrong place. Try removing the lever and see if it still makes the noise.
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Space Is Deep

[Nemo]

The kisckstart will probably use a ratchet type mechanism, so could be that died.
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Previously owned: Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP125, Suzuki GX 125, Honda CB125 TDC '83, Honda ntv 600, Kawasaki ER5, Kawasaki ZZR600, Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Now own: Ducati 848 evo

[jeddy11]

Try to position a rubber band to hold it up when your using it..
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cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[bypass2]

perhaps the circlip on the kickstart mechanism as broke or come off.

[prawny1]

I would be taking the cover off to investigate.

Even if the kickstart was bouncing from a weak return spring it would only make grinding/ratchet noise , it wouldn't snap back like you describe.

Something must be snapped and jamming on the mechanism, the last thing you want is the whole lot breaking up whilst you are riding.

If you can find something to block the hole you could remove the mechanism and just use the electric start.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[Yoyo]

Had the same on my Derbi Senda years ago. But the spring was that screwed the kick start would all of a sudden lock in and whip down hitting me right in the tendon. It bloody hurt too.

Take the side off. Remove the kick start sprocket and then take it for a ride. If it still whines then it will be something else.

One member on here. Used to start his h100 then keep his foot on the kick start for a good 10seconds whilst it was running. The noise was bloody awful and he accused me of being mechanically unsympathetic.
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Joe: I don't wish to floccinaucinihilipilificate your choices, but the best word in the world is gaylord.

[NoGo]

[prawny1]

The whole mechanism works on a ratchet so that it can only works in one direction it's designed NOT to catch once the engine is running,

If the mechanism is catching then something IS wrong and you NEED to look into it before something jams whilst you are riding and causes an accident.

The fact the bike has no alternative method of starting the engine (apart from bump starting) also means you can't afford for the kick to fail completely.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[Teflon-Mike]

[bikenut]

:karma: like mike says.........

and look at cmsnl for the exploded views to suss out things.....before the engine does.......you have a manual??

and the kick start lever returns to its "off" position by spring action??
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nuts about bikes

[SteveZZR]

[NoGo]

[gwgw]

[prawny1]

[NoGo]

[prawny1]

For some reason, i had visions of your bike being the twin not the single.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[Ariel Badger]

Classic bodge involves a bungee cord to keep it off the racket.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[bikenut]

:D so ,

you have found cmsnl and seen the parts involved with the kick start mech, and have a cg manual which may show the k/s/mech to be similar............

the k/start lever returns to its "rest" position by spring action, and the swivveling lever at the top of the k/start lever ( the bit you actually put your foot on ) is flapping about so not allowing the kick start lever to sit at its "rest" position, causing the k/start mech to partially engage, making the rachety sound????????????????

maybe slightly reposition the kick start lever on its shaft, or renew lever, or attend to the flappy foot pedal bit??? :karma:
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nuts about bikes

[NoGo]

[YBR Ric]

Is it possible that your leg is instigating this problem by accidentally touching the kick starter and moving it enough to engage the ratchet which is responsible for the grinding noise?