szts
XS650 Member
The electric starter on my 81 xs650 does not work. I actually makes some cool toy machine gun sounding noises. I wanna remove it and go to kick start only. Is that a pain in the dick or worthwhile?
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Removing Electric Start
- Thread starter szts
- Start date
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- Tags
- custom electrical how to
3dognate
XS650 Addict
Kick only sounds romantic... but in practice it just sucks if you die at a light or stop sign.
I vote to fix your starter unless you are competition racing... there are many threads on it.
I vote to fix your starter unless you are competition racing... there are many threads on it.
szts
XS650 Member
Well, the vote tally now has you and my friend for repair against lonely me for removal. Thank you!
3dognate
XS650 Addict
Ever owned a kick only bike that is just better than semi reliable? (these bikes are 30-40+ years old.) agh... horrible.
szts
XS650 Member
I have only ever owned a kick only bike that is less than reliable... It came with a broken starter. Learning to ride was just a joy.
jonboy-xsbobber
XS650 Addict
Love my kick only bike if it stalls I just kick it over and go
Who cares if someone has to wait 20 seconds for me to start
My bike their problem not mine
Who cares if someone has to wait 20 seconds for me to start
My bike their problem not mine
tonyc
XS650 Guru
All three of my bikes are kick only. I would never go back.
Definitely get rid of the electric leg. And those pesky shock absorbers. And see if you can find some steel-banded wooden wheels while you're at it. 
Just yanking your chain. It's your bike, do what makes you happy. I'm old and the more things I can do by pushing buttons, the happier I am.
Just yanking your chain. It's your bike, do what makes you happy. I'm old and the more things I can do by pushing buttons, the happier I am.
member3480
RICH
You don't have to remove it just disconnect it. If you remove it you have to get a plug to put in the hole where the starter was and you could always replace it at a later time.
I am 62 yrs old and I am for kick only CUT THE SHIT OUT OF IT !!!! and make it your own. Its your first bike do it up.
KEEP CHOPPIN
Rich
I am 62 yrs old and I am for kick only CUT THE SHIT OUT OF IT !!!! and make it your own. Its your first bike do it up.
KEEP CHOPPIN
Rich
Attachments
DIRTY DOG
XS650 Guru
AMEN BROTHER KEEP CHOPPIN you can leave it all on there and still use the kicker.
CDNTX650
XS650 Guru
I removed mine from my new engine, everything. The engine thats still in the bike, something is locked on solid on it so i just removed the wire from the solenoid to the starter. Its a shitty afterthought that yamaha added, i dont miss it. Both my klr 250cc are kick only too. who cares if you stall, they all start super easy. Owning kickstart only bike is great way to get them cheap because people are scared of them. hahaha.
Xmarksthespot
XS650 Enthusiast
With both my 1972 and later my 1975 I almost always kicked started them, the '72 because I was used to kick starting Brit bikes of the time, and the '75 because it was so easy. I have to say though when something happened that caused the bike to stall at a light or some such thing (my riding buddies and I delighted in reaching over when stopped and hitting your buddies kill switch), in those cases I sure enjoyed the electric starter. Fortunately for the most part we have matured since the 70's and don't engage I that foolishness...mostly
member3480
RICH
I do have a piece here that someone made (not me) that has the end of a starter with the block off plug if you need one $20.00 shipped in USA
