Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
Kickstart an R80gs? Kickstart an R80gs?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 31 Aug 2002
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Bärenklau, Brandenburg, Germany
Posts: 9
the crate of is mine - if you once come to berlin. i've won that kind of bet once on a campsite near damascus, syria. everything grant said is right, but there is one more little help:

forget the side-stand, always put the bike on the center-stand. both hands on bars, left foot on left cylinder (yes! dont worry, it wont break down, but be carefull wth the plug), when you stand comfortable kick wth right foot (remember what grant said about throttle). if carbs & ignition is ok it will work at last with the third kick - after some experience ;-)

i have a 73 model now for 17 years and have no e-starter since 91 - it works perfectly each morning.

may long you run
gerd
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 17 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
I managed to kick start it this evening after the battery failed. Wally at CW Motorcycles had shown me how to do it. Very easy, involves very little force, just keep slowly and firmly proding the lever until it goes. No choke, no throttle. The action must be slow and smooth.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 18 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 263
I reckon if your man enough to kick one into life then your also fit enough to bump it so why bother spending all that cash, get pushing or carry a spare battery!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 18 Oct 2003
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Martync

It's hard to kickstart but it's worse to bumpstart a touring-loaded BMW in soft sand, mud and rivers. Yes, even Istanbul at rush-hour :-)
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 18 Oct 2003
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 246
Just a note of caution on the bump starting option.....

Apparently this can be hard on the output flange in the transmission. The sudden loading caused by poping the clutch in lower gears can get you into a very expensive rebuild. If you must, use 3 gear and try to let the clutch out easy. This will of course necessitate a steep hill and lots of speed, so you had best be in good shape. Beleive me, I spent some heart pounding moments pushing that beast up a hill only run out of space on the way down (again)! getting enough traction for this on a sandy/ gravely road also presents a challenge. No, I think that lever could just save one's bacon in the right (or wrong) situation.....
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 19 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
No really, it is much easier to kick start it, once you get the technique right. Definitely worth learning how to do.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 12 Apr 2009
Jake's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northumberland, uk
Posts: 761
Most people tell me these are just not possible to start from cold however I have found the technique for mine also, R80gs with 1000cc siebenrock kit and dual plugging, From cold open choke to full, bike on centre stand, stand one foot on left cylinder other on kickstart, ignition off, open throttle with each of three to four kicks to get a build up of fuel, build up last kick towards tdc /compression, turn ignition on and a very firm kick opening throttle to about half as doing so and she fires up - its all practice, mind you still think its a harder bike to master starting than most other kickers I have had before but once you have got it its good to know both how and also that it works.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 25 Apr 2009
Smurfen's Avatar
Airhead Traveller
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ångermanland / Sweden
Posts: 8
Kickstarting!
It's like a lot of folks have said, It's an art and a technic you can learn if you really want to (like smooth and silent gearshifting )

It's a long time since now, almost 30 years, but when I had my first Beemer, a 90/6 by the way, I learned to kickstart it with my left leg, standing over the bike with my right foot on the ground.
I even rode a whole season with the electric starter dismounted.
With the engine in tip top condition you can actually kickstart it with your hand.

My recent Beemer, an R100RT '79 doesn't have the kickstarter and I don't loose any sleep over it, but when I have got me my airhead GS, or/and "built" my RTW Beemer I'm gonna fit a kickstarter. And probably fit dual batteries and carry a spare startermotor.

I know, sometimes I can be a bit anal/obsessive/sicko/in more dire need of a blowjob than any white man in history, but for me it is as important to be able to do all work on the bike myself as to do the actual ride. And have all possibilities covered.

However, I would see it as a sort of emergency starting. I wouldn't expect the gearbox/kickstart to last for 30 years or several 100 000 miles.
__________________
Sven
Senior Airhead Mechanic
'79 R100RT
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 17 May 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Caracas, Venezuela
Posts: 11
My G/S has a kicker
I've started it with the kicker a few times, just to ensure I can do it in case of need but I much prefer the electric start. As others have posted, to convert yours, you'll need to get a transmission with a kicker -- they are hard to find, and if you can find one, it will be expensive. For me the kicker is a device that makes me appreciate the electric starter.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top