What part is this?

[Prospect]

I think this part came with my GL1000. Not sure. I'm not even sure if it's a motorcycle part.

[CYBORG]

That is a part from an early goldwing, 1000. It is part of the emergency kick start system

[Whiskerfish]

yep. That hole on the top end there is where the kick lever goes in. That mounts to a shaft coming out the back of the engine just inboard of the stator.

[Whiskerfish]

Here you can see it installed

P6271483.JPG

[Shadowjack]

That is a part from an early goldwing, 1000. It is part of the emergency kick start system

Early being 75-77. They took it off the 78-79, since batteries were getting better all the time.

[cfairweather]

I never had much luck trying to start a GL1000 using the kick starter. It didn't seem to turn the engine over fast enough. I only used it when timing the bike.

[Prospect]

Here you can see it installed P6271483.JPG

I guess it's held in there with a bolt? I'm not sure if I have that one.

[Whiskerfish]

Been a day or two since I pulled one but I believe it is a washer and a cir clip the holds it on the shaft.

[redglbx]

Personally I always liked having it since it really helps with setting the timing and valves , makes it much easier. I have used it a few times to start my bike years ago but will add that the battery needs to be in really good condition & charge for it to really work. If the battery is low ,,, as they say “fugetta bout it”

By the way, great picture Steve, thx !

[Shadowjack]

I never had much luck trying to start a GL1000 using the kick starter. It didn't seem to turn the engine over fast enough. I only used it when timing the bike.

I've tried mine a time or two. You're right, the gear ratio is too slow, really. Which is probably a second reason why it was deleted. It would be a dead-battery-at-the-bottom-of-a-hole situation where you'd use it.

[Lucien Harpress]

Having a mechanical fuel pump doesn't help either. Every time I've used the kickstarter and had it work was after the bike was already warmed up. I can't imagine kicking one of these motors over enough to fill empty carb bowls.

(It IS super handy for valve and ignition setting, though!)

[Fred Camper]

But with an electric pump conversion it may take only 20 tries.

[Whiskerfish]

I have had pretty good success using it but the bike needs to be in a good state of tune.

[ericheath]

I was able to start mine when needed. I just continued to kick it rapidly, no stop at the bottom, like using a stair stepper.

[Sidecar Bob]

Some years ago (after asking if it was possible on the forum) I swapped the rear cover from the '77 parts engine onto the '79 engine I was using in my '83 so that I could have the kickstart. I figured it would probably be the only '83 around with a kicker and that it would be cool to leave the lever in so I could occasionally kick it over when people were watching.
I quickly learned that the kickstart lever/pedal was closer to my leg than I felt comfortable with when riding so that idea went out the window.
I also learned that it was probably the hardest way to start it too. I think I actually did manage to kick start it once but as others have mentioned it wouldn't be very good if the battery was weak, which is when you need a kick start the most.
Bump starting on a hill worked well, though.....

When I changed to the 1100 engine I did not even contemplate trying to install the kicker on it.