How Can I Go Kick-Only and Protect My Bike from Theft?

abyssmaltailgate

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I'm currently in the early stages of completely rebuilding my XS650 so I've been doing a lot of research and planning. Lately I've been focusing on how to start and stop the bike as well as protect it from theft. My bike's a '75 XS650B, and I am interested in converting to kick-only with a Pamco ignition and Hugh's Handbuilt PMA system.

I have a fuel-injected Sportster with an electronic ignition system. To start the bike, I put the key in the ignition, turn it to "IGNITION", flip the kill switch from "OFF" to "RUN", then I press the starter button and the bike begins to run. To turn the bike off, I simply flip the kill switch back to "OFF". I'd like to run a similar system based on this concept with my XS. The idea would be to put the key in the ignition, turn it to an "IGNITION" function, then kick the bike to run. To turn it off, it'd be nice to just flip a kill switch as well.

What are your opinions on this setup? Is it practical? Is it safe from theft? If not, what's a good way to protect my bike from theft (I'd like to make it my daily)? If I run a Pamco igntion, kick-only, do I need a key for my bike? I'd like to set up my bike so it needs a key before the kick starter can operate, but I'd also like to ditch the electronic starter switch. My main concern is that I don't want just any idiot kicking my chop and riding off into the sunset (I live in Chicago so the chances are just as likely as not).

Please let me know any thoughts or opinions based on your experience. As always, it's much appreciated!
 
That how most of the kick not bikes are set up. Just because it's kick only doesn't mean there is no key, just no starter. So you would wire up a key switch and if you want a kill switch in the circuit you would wire that in too. Unless they have the key or hot wire it someone couldn't just walk up and kick start it. Sadly though if someone wants to steal it, it's as easy and a couple guys picking it up and putting it in the back of the truck
 
Hi abyssmal,
to guard against casual theft, a secret switch will do.
Against four burly guys tossing your ride into a pickup truck, an anchor chain, a padlock and a lamp-post will deter most folks.
And there's things involving explosives and remote switches that are, alas, unlawful.
My own trick of installing a sidecar (few can ride one and it's awkward to lift) ain't for everyone, either.
But the sad thing is, if someone is really determined to steal your bike, they will succeed.
The best you can hope for is to make your bike less stealable than someone else's.
 
As said, the start button has nothing to with it really. You could jump the starter solenoid and the bike will crank till the battery is dead and never start unless your key is turned to run to get a 12v signal to the coil , ignition module etc.

I run a key switch in the right side cover of my 74 plus the stock kill switch on the handle bar (kick only too,). The key is removable in on or off. Really though. If you pull the side cover and bypass the key switch the system will be hot. For anyone that knows wiring and does for a living it's pretty easy to get around. But nice to know it's a deterrent to the norm. If I was real paranoid the fuse for the key cct is easy to pull on mine. But how much does a guy worry.....
 
If you are trying to stop people from stealing it buy a big lock. I have started bikes with one jumper wire NO KEYS for guys who lost there keys. So anything electronic on a bike can be compromised if you know how to do it and most bike stolen are lifted into a truck and gone . Buy a nice chain and lock and just make it a little harder for the dumb ones.
 
I bought something like this...

http://www.amazon.com/XX6-SS-Disc-Lock-Alarm-Motorcycle-Stainless/dp/B002VR5LLI

Mine doesn't have the alarm. Wish I would have seen the one above before.

Also, for someone else, my kick only bike is not easy to start. There are certain steps I take before I start, including a hidden ignition switch. I can get it going in one or two kicks. No one else seems to be able to get it started with out me walking them through the process. That's another reason I wanted to go kick only. Any Gomer can push a start button or for the experienced ones, hotwire it. Thieves are going for easy pickings. Make them think twice about stealing yours.
 
Here is a trick I use to do to my employee so they would not go joy ride the customers bikes when I was not there. Take a spark plug and destroy the tip. I use to put it in a vise and break the fire end. Looks good just like a clean new plug but it won't fire. I have left my XS650 everywhere and it only had a toggle on it and no one never touched it. Now when I owned a VETTE and a custom HARLEY they broke into the garage three times. Got the VETTE once until I put the dog in there then I just found blood on the floor. When I had my storage garage in West Philly in the 80's there was a body shop in the front with mean dogs that we rented out and we were in the back so you had to go threw body shop to get to the back. Well the suckers cut a hole in the roof and passed stuff threw there. Now mind you this is a old warehouse with 40' ceilings so they worked for it and even got a dirt bike threw the hole. So if some one wants it its gone.
 
Now we're talkin'!

How about mounting a 100kvolt taser under the seat cover.

Wired to the starter button.:yikes:

......no starter button here 2M.

:D....In the process of mounting an extra hidden ign coil separate from the primary system, but connected through one set of points, able to select "run"(normal operation) or "disable" from (also hidden) toggle switch, and attach the HT lead to the inside of clutch side, rubber isolated....metal.....hand grip.
 

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I'm going to use it in conjunction with one of these which should simplify the wiring for the whole bike.

I also have one of these to fit which connects to a GPS sensor so no need to set up a speedo drive or fit magnets into the brake disc bolts.

Please don't hold your breath for a report, progress on my build is just the wrong side of glacial.

Rarely go to Hartside, too many mad sods on motorbikes..... :yikes: :wtf:

If you are ever over near Carlisle feel free to pop in for a cuppa.
 
Ah yeah - Was at Fan tails not long ago :)
Hope you're OK with the floods!
Drove through Warwick Bridge the other day - bloody hell!

Poor old you having to slum it at Fantails!

Yes, the flood defences in Carlisle seen to have had an effect upstream with parts of Warrick Bridge and Corby Hill getting flooded for the fist time. One farmer has lost a significant amount of land to the Eden.....with more heavy rain forecast more flooding expected.
We are, thankfully, not affected.
 
Not much you can do about having your bike hauled away in a truck, but as far as riding it away, rather than go to great lengths to kill the ignition, install a hidden fuel cutoff valve that will allow them to start your bike and ride off, but it will die in a couple of blocks and be abandoned.

fuel cutoff.jpg
 
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