First Generation Ascots > The Thumper Years: Stock To Lightly Modified
XL/XR kickstart
WTF304:
I had an extra clutch side cover laying around, and i have read that some people wasn't sure how they blocked off the opening. So i decided to find out, and it was very ingenious as to what they did and i do have a pic to share just needs resizing.
When you look at the inside of the cover there appears to be either unfinished machining or a plug, and yes it is a plug. The only unfinished machining is the spot for the decompression setup they used on the kicker. On the outer side the plug is covered with a make-shift seal... either incase the plug comes loose or from keeping anyone from tampering by misleading them to think that it's not machined out.
So with careful use of a drill bit, i removed the make-shift seal and it took absolutely no effort to do. Once the bit catches it spins loose and can be removed with ease, then you'll find an aluminum plug that's stuffed in there. Turned the case over a few times to be sure which way it gets knocked out of the whole and it's ment to be pushed out from the inner side, hence that tapered look.
With a short 3/8 drive extension and light tapping the plug comes out and you now have the opening in the casing for your kickshaft and the oil seal.
WTF304:
Pic ;D ...... old spare side case, beaten up from tossing around and the P/O had laid it down long before i got it and became the ice racer. Have not done and will not to my other bike until all research has been done, but yes the foot peg and the rear brake pedal will have to have something done to accommodate a kicker being installed.
J6G1Z:
If you figure out how to do the conversion, please consider documenting the process & parts list.
Thanks
J.
WTF304:
Absolutely, in all reality you just need all the parts they put on the XL500 of this style engine. The only part not needed because the side case wasn't finished, is the decompression setup that works off the kicker end. Unless you take it to a machine shop along with the decompression setup so it can be drilled to accommodate it.
CDWHILLAS:
Hi,
I have done the kickstart conversion on my FT using a XL500R's kickstart and used a decompression lever on the handlebar. If you download a parts list for a XL500R you can get the decompression lever and cable new but I had to make the engine end bracket. You will also have to machine the rocker cover to take the decompression lever, the oil seal is available from Honda. I opted for the XL500R decompression lever on the handle bar as it was simpler to install and it allowed me to use the decompression with the electric start.
I picked up a second hand XL500R engine block with the kickstart from a wrecker for $50 and it fitted straight into the FT motor no probs but it took me a while to get the oil seal. I am now trying to figure out how to fit a kickstart arm without having to change the current foot peg and rear brake. I was looking at a restored '72 CB350 Four today that had a kickstart arm that might just have enough clearance to work, it has a 2" offset and a better angle on the arm from the pivot point to clear the foot peg. I will make up something similar if the CB350 kickstart doesn't fit as this will let me keep the bike close to original as possible.
The yahoo user group has a really good file on the kickstart conversion at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/honda-ascot/files/Compression%20Release%20%26%20Kick%20Starter/ which breaks it all down.
I hope to post some photos of the finished conversion in the next few weeks.
Cheers
Craig
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