yamahaha
1,7611,055
Viking Member
yamahaha
1,7611,055
Aug 30, 2022#1
After 44yrs I have had my first injury from kickstarting an XT/TT. I would not like to try and work out the number of times I have started these bikes, but for no reason yet found one of my play TTs kicked back and broke the kickstart lever on its connection at the knuckle and somehow I managed an open gash on my lower leg.
A simple mistake easily avoidable had I been wearing a pair of motocross boots or similar, my fault in full as I was riding off road as well for some silly fun in a pair of trainers. The TT is presently stored at a friends so I cannot check the bike through.
Im walking wounded and hoping not to need stitches as it seems a lot better today, but my stupid error will keep me off bikes for a week or two and as its cracking weather expected a lesson learnt.
So my message to all fellow riders, no complacency put those boots on for any off road fun and best to wear them for starting these beasts as well.
On a seperate note as sleep was not too good I checked out youtube for firstly XT/TTs kicking back, then all big singles. It made for some
first rate entertainment but as I cannot work out how to share them with you, not being very good with computers can only recomend a search, and not whilst suffering from a kick starting injury unless you can laugh at yourself.
having a mud life crisis................................................and enjoying it
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bobonit
1,080994
Viking Member
bobonit
1,080994
Aug 30, 2022#2
Sad to hear about that Yamahaha, seems like your TT was out to get you this time, both kicking and stabbing.
You mentioned kickbacks on several posts, your warnings stuck with me. I haven´t felt a strong one yet, a few times I got a little bounce back but nothing serious. I never use trainers for riding, not even to the supermarket, minimum leather boots with a hard sole, but even those probably wouldn´t save anyone from a broken lever. If the kick breaks you probably hit your foot on the ground and stab somewhere near the knee? Even if you don´t hit the broken lever, you probably get some scars from the footpeg (luckily mine are as dull as a butter knife).
Raise that leg, keep it clean. Don´t be lazy to get stitches if needed!
kevins
3,171569
Aug 30, 2022#3
Hope you heal quickly.
Makes me think about all the times I have started mine in sandals.
Falklands XT
2,715503
Viking Member
Falklands XT
2,715503
Aug 30, 2022#4
Hope you heal soon Yam. At least it’s a cut. I dropped mine on my right ankle three years ago and it hurts like the proverbial with damaged ligaments. And I was wearing all the right gear!
Buba
5,9371,045
Senior Member
Buba
5,9371,045
Aug 30, 2022#5
For first, wishes for a speedy recovery and if the cut is deep it' s better to go with the stitches.
Always good to use shoes with resistant soles when using motorcycles with kick start lever. In any case, a broken lever isn' t predictable and therefore would take anyone by surprise.
Regarding the engine starting, even after many years it always must be done carefully.
It' s when we do things a bit absentmindedly, that rip-offs come more easily.
@Kevin ...
To try to start an XT/TT 500 with sandals, must be, more or less, like playing "russian roulette" ...
...
Buba
"Worry more about your conscience than your reputation, because your conscience is what you are, your reputation is what others think of you and what others think of you is their problem. "
Charlie Chaplin
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EPIMETHEUS
555456
Viking Member
EPIMETHEUS
555456
Aug 30, 2022#6
"OH DEAR," I feel your pain.
I am guilty of something similar with a L/H kick Maico 440. This bike was on methanol and had a semi functioning decompressor.
After spraining my right ankle through a miss timed kick. I refused to give in and continued with my left foot, another big back fire and now it was Maico 2 - Me 0. I had a 30 minute drive home in a manual car and honestly crawled to the front door from the driveway. The family was away for the week end so there would be no sympathy there, plus I should have been at home any way. Hospital the next day for X-rays via some laughing mates who took great delight in my misfortune - it was a week off work and crutches for two! Told the wife I tripped over something I should have picked up. Sold that bike.
Hoping you have a quick recovery Yamahaha.
One minute your young and fun. And the next, your'e turning down the stereo in your car to see better.
Paul Pasture
3615
Kickback
Paul Pasture
3615
Aug 30, 2022#7
Personally I have almost always started my 1977 XT500 standing on the right side and acting on the lever only with the front part of the foot so that at the end of the stroke the foot does not remain in contact with the lever itself. I don't remember ever having kickbacks or likely I got over them by slipping off from the lever itself.
Having starting many times the bike even in slippers by the sea, I wonder if this system (apparently effective even if not too orthodox) is not currently used by others.
As an act of humility I must say that I am currently restoring my XT and I have not started it for many years. Maybe I just have been lucky (but for many, many years!) and for sure the kick indicator helps a lot.
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method7
486122
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method7
486122
Aug 30, 2022#8
Ohh man get well soon Yam!
Our 76 used to have a terrible kickback when hot, hospitalised my dad for stitches in his heel after the kickback drove his foot into the rear foot peg - he was wearing trainers at the time. For me it was almost always my knee up under the handle bars - ok once but often it would do it a second time.. since going 12v and using a strobe to set the timing it seems much better, even if you haven't seen it for a while the beast is still there. - never used the kick indicator - the 76 never had one so we had to learn the feel - not just of the engine going over compression but also finding the correct engagement point of the ratchet when the kick starter returns.
Not sure about slipping off at the bottom of the stroke, to me it always felt and sounded bad - and we all know the stop mechanism is flimsy enough... sure it works - just not so sure its risk free... Lucky, yes i think so Paul. but i think that technique was - and probably still is used with a lot of vintage bikes - probably panthers 100'swith sidecars - I'm sure i have seen it in old movies.
I don't know where you are yamahaha but here in the uk they will not stitch you up after a certain period - 24hours i think - something to do with getting bacteria in the wound - if you need stitches you might want to modify the timeline or get a bit Rambo on yourself..
yamahaha
1,7611,055
Viking Member
yamahaha
1,7611,055
Aug 30, 2022#9
Many thanks to all, its always good to know that firstly Im amongst friends and secondly Im not the only such idiot in the world. Kevins Im every bit as bad at starting these beasts with the flimsiest of footwear at home and have done for many years. Falky, I do remember you mentioning your fall, but three years of problems and pain is not good, I hope you recover soon. Bobonit and Buba you are so right about wearing the right gear even for the most minor journeys, it has been a good dry summer this year for most with the changing weather patterns and I have certainly become a little irresponsable in my choice of both clothing and footwear with evening rides to the local harbours dressed in casual clothes just to enjoy the sun. Epi my first serious crash was courtesy of a big Maico, not only did I fall off but it also ran me over. Nothing short of an experts bike, not for the faint hearted. Paul, I hope your return to riding one of these beasts is soon.
As for today I thought about a visit to hospital, but it was during my second single malt that I decided against it. Im not one for sitting around, and the thought of watching daytime tv leaves me seriously worried for those that do so opted for sitting on a stool doing some brick work repointing nothing to strenuous and even bordering on being enjoyable. It soon became apparent that a neighbour was also working on her bungalow, a 72yr old widow who was on a ladder painting the render finish. So I did the decent thing and helped her with the repainting but when she saw my bandaged ankle she still insisted on doing the ladder work!! To top it all this lady, and I mean lady is a lovely looking lass with a face and figure to shame many much younger than her years.
So tomorrow my ankle bandage will be removed, but it feels an awful lot better than I expected so with any luck there is nothing to worry about, but should it need looking at a hospital visit will be made.
having a mud life crisis................................................and enjoying it
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Tommy10bikes
4,373188
Moderator
Tommy10bikes
4,373188
Aug 30, 2022#10
I hope your a quick mender and not out of action too long. Even now I get kick backs but these are on newly built bikes and carbs were I don't know the settings. They certainly don't like too much petrol or a half hearted kick.
As they say get well soon.
TTB
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Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward.
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