Ratchet top kicker Arm falls when the bike is running

[kdub13]

Hey all, I just can’t seem to figure this out... I have a late 60s ratchet top trans here, and when installed, and the kicker cover gets put on, everything works fine, clutch works good, kick starts good ect... but the kicker arm does not have good return strength.

With the Cover off the gear is in the correct place for the stop, with a wrench I grab the shaft and crank it to give it tension as I slip it on past the oil slinger and into place. All seems good and tension is there. Then after one kick or so I loose it.

Any advise here is greatly appreciated. You can see in the one pic where it falls to while started. Thank you

[Revelator]

If the bushing on the kicker cover is galled up, or dry (no lube), that can
add additional friction that the spring has to overcome. Make sure that
bushing is in good shape and greased up.

I have a problem with my kick pedal not returning high enough after a kick
through, so I have to manually move the pedal upward a bit.
but that is due to the custom kick pedal I made, It's a bit too
heavy for the return spring. SO I need to shave it down a bit or find
a stronger spring, which I don't believe anyone makes one that is stronger
than the factory spring.

[Tattooo]

The first pic it way to far away to tell anything....... Where is the return spring??

[kdub13]

I had the spring off so you can see where the slot is for the spring.

The bushing is lubed and good to go. When I took it off, and re trace my steps on the kicker cover I found that the stop was not at the 5 o’clock positron but more at the 7o clock position on the starter gear. So from what I have read and seen it needs to be at the front right. (About 5oclock when looking at it) problem is when I put the starter gear there it does not have clearance to pass one of the steps on the cover. Please see photos.

Thanks

[Tattooo]

Do you have a close up pic with the spring and kicker on it???

[Tattooo]

Also yes it needs to be in the front... Where are you getting your information??

[kdub13]

Yeah when it is placed in front, this is where the stopper lands on the starter gear.

Here is a photo with the spring and arm on. The arm lands at about 11 o clock.

I am getting my info from here ... as well as a few other threads.

http://tearitupfixitrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/03/shovelhead-4-speed-saga-going-up-part-7.html?m=1

[Tattooo]

Those pics are really useless at that angle... Your gear isn't right in relation to the shaft.... You really need to buy a manual for your bike..... Most web pages are wrong or confusing as you are finding out.....

Buy or down load a free Harley manual for your bike......

[kdub13]

yup... got one of those. Unfortunetly my late shovel manual is no match for my early ratchet top. Which is why I came here for help. But I guess im back to square one.

[Tattooo]

yup... got one of those. Unfortunetly my late shovel manual is no match for my early ratchet top. Which is why I came here for help. But I guess im back to square one.

What year Harley manual do you have?? Buy one for an earlier Shovel 70ish and you will be covered for all the years and you can use it in the future....

[farmall]

They can be found for download with some looking, and keeping a copy on your phone is handy.

This link works as of a few seconds ago, but the kickstarter section isn't very detailed.

https://www.carlsalter.com/mcpdf/Harley-Davidson-1959-69%20FL%20Electra%20Duo%20Service%20Manual.pdf

There are only four possible positions of the gear on the shaft, and four possible positions of the kicker arm on the other end of the shaft if all are notched for the retaining bolt. You can figure it out by elimination then flip the lock tab into place when you find the correct one.

[okiepan]

All the pics so-far are probably not where your issue lies. On the end of the main shaft, under the throw-out bearing is the gear the kicker gear meshes with and turns the main shaft, clutch, primary chain & motor. That bushing will gall to the Trans Main Shaft, and the kicker will 'fall through' sometimes just backing the bike up, will move the kicker. Eazy fix, get the correct puller for the gear, when applying pressure make sure your not putting pressure on the taper, it will distort, spread-out. Pull Gear, emery shaft of any brass galling, install and ream, hone bushing where gear is loose fit, but not wobbly, and it must slide in and out to clear the teeth freely.