The Bain of 'Progressive Technology ' , mes amis, is that you do NOT always advance in a forward direction...like many dances, "1 step forward, 2 steps back".
The gs Haynes manual I had for my 1200 was largely about how to remove the plastic. ( I’m exaggerating, but there’s not a massive amount that an owner can do without laptops). Brakes aren’t easy to service or bleed, and fair play it was reliable but the fuel pump went, new part required. Not strippable. Brake servo went, I removed it and reverted to non servo ( better)
I lately converted my 54 year old Moto Guzzi Ambassador back to a points ignition. The goal with this bike is to go places where there is no cell phone service. Since I’ll be on my own and calling a service truck is out, I want it all to be serviceable with hand tools at the roadside. I’ll carry some spares, of course, but the point is, I want the independence, and the self reliance. A fellow I know wound up in trouble recently with his 6 month old BMW GS. He was at a filling station, the gas cap had some stupid electronic interlock that prevented him from opening the gas tank to fuel the bike. He was stuck there for a couple of hours. No thanks, for me. I’ll stick with a simple machine.
Totally agree Paul , the modern cars have so many computers that you cannot fault find without very expensive diagnostic equipment. Top end bikes the same
My old mount is a 1980 HD Shovelhead! The factory electronic ignition is history & has good old points & the electric start system has been sent to the bin but the kick start works very well! Kudos Paul!👍
My 1340 Shovelhead was fitted with electric start and kick start when I first brought it... not long after the starter packed up. I took it off and never re fitted it ..Silly thing to say perhaps but kicking a bike into life is a joy . when it starts that is !
I'm 71 & now ride a Royal Enfield Trials with both electric & kick start. I am in good shape and have no problems kicking over a motorcycle. I have a son who is only 54 and had a hip replacement that didn't go well. He has a 2590Honda scrambler he can't ride any longer because he can't kick it over. Sucks. @@kafkastrial8650
Before I even press the starter button on my modern fuel injected bike , the small 9 amp hour battery, is powering the ECU , the fuel pump in the fuel tank ,all the sensors for the fuel injection system ,ABS system ,coolant circuit ,gear position sensor ,all the digital read out instrument screen ,front & rear lights & any other various fitted hidden electrical gubbins. There is nothing you can switch off to place less stress on your battery before pressing the starter button . The owners manual advises not to bump start the engine as it’s fuel injected & risks damage for some reason . At least when I still had my 20 year old Suzuki bandit ,I could switch all the lights off & the bare minimum of electrics required before the starter button was pressed ,if the battery was low ,at least the bike could be bump started & enough juice generated to power the ignition circuit & power the lights .Back in the day the old owners hand books gave you information on adjusting virtually everything on the bike & the basic tools to do the job . Now you are lucky to even be supplied with a couple of Allen keys ,& except for a couple of basic adjustments ,you’re advised to take the bike to the dealer ,for simple even simple basic servicing tasks . This is the result of motorcycle manufacturers allowing computer gaming nerds into their design departments .
Hi there Paul, just watched your recent rants on utube on telly, so came on phone so i can comment. Defo agree with pre 1980 to recent bikes for access. Your from same era as me, a motorbike should be as a young kid would draw, or imitate noise, would all be like the classic British ones, not a Kawasaki er5 in sight. Your rants are superb, keep them going 😂
When I go on a big tour on the Vincent or Norton Commando, I bring a tool kit and spare ignition parts, actually an entire spare ignition save 1 coil, as I cant imagine both coils dieing on the same trip. When I do a trip on the Thruxton r or Daytona 955i, I dont bother bringing tools. I wouldnt know where to start in the event of a problem on the modern bikes. I count on the smartphone and roadside assistance, although the mobile phones dont work on some of those Mountain roads. So far the modern bikes have a perfect record, no issues in about 25,000 kms of touring. The 1947 Vincent has had a couple of electrical issues, ironically with a modern alternators fitted to replace an original Miller 6 volt dynamo that died on one trip. I guess that makes 3 charging issues including the Miller. The bike was converted to point coil ignition in the 70s so we had to improvise to make it home about 200 mile when the Miller died, then 400 + miles on one trip and over 1500 on another with the Alton. The second Alton failure was not the fault of the Alton. It was due to one of those ultra modern Lithium batteries turning itself into a little flamethrower and destroying the whole charging system. I'm back on acid now😊 Those three roadside problems are all that we have had in nearly 100,000 kms of touring on the 47 Vincent, so no complaints. A corroded bullet connector got us on the Commando. We were a couple of hundred miles from home when we lost sparks. Fortunately I was with friends who rode to the nearest town and purchased a lawn tractor battery which I stuffed into the saddlebag. It powered the ignition dead loss for the 200 or so miles home. When the Vincent Alton died in California we were about 4 days riding from home so we used a battery charger at night. Extension cord out the Motel bathroom window works a treat!
Last 25 years I've been riding my Yamaha sr500 1981, done 62000 miles on it, never stripped crankcases, decided to buy a 'new' bike, just bought a 1999 Kawasaki w650, easy bike to work on carbs etc no fancy bits. The last bike I'll ever own. Bikes now have gone like cars, can't fix most things yourself, take to the dealers. Crap.
Perhaps makers of modern machine can offer some 'extras', kickstarter and magneto ignition, perhaps? I'm currently re-commissioning magneto ignition on my elderly Constellation, as there are many locations in my area that have scant (or no) mobile coverage, and I don't fancy finding myself up a well-known creek without a paddle!
Completely understandable rant there. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop at motorcycles. Changing society effects manufacturers and corporations to exploit profit. What about cars that no longer have a spare tire fitted, but come with a very “attractive” road side assistent package? Electronic parking brake buttons instead of the regular pull handle? And car manufacturers not even listing the purchase price of vehicles but instead post the monthly lease fee on their websites?
Good rant. I had a 1987 XBR500 Honda single electric and kick start. The valve decompressor cable part of the kick start lever. The winter weather got to it. Bikes now with ECU, diagnostics and sensors extra problems to go wrong big style. Still much prefer my BSA B44 👍
I had an old battery on my c15, that went flat in cold weather, my friend was amazed when I said its ok it has emergency start, I had to give it a short push but it was 17 years old and unrestored, it ran great.
Yes, it was a "for safety" issue, visibility. I was working at a Kawasaki/Suzuki dealership at the time and we thought it was overkill but it satisfied some kind of new regulation. If I recall correctly, it was the lobbying of the insurance companies because in so many accidents that involved autos in collision, driver's often stated that they "just didn't see the motorcycle".
The 1980 DR/SP/GN 400 singles had a spark circuit entirely separate from lights charging etc. So not only was there less to go wrong but they started whatever the state of the rest of the electrics by kickstart. And Honda 185s and old KLXs and TT500s from that era [all of which I have] are pretty much the same. All my brit bikes are magneto too. The Himalayan was supposed to be a go anywhere remote tough vehicle. It hasn't got a kickstart, so I wouldn't buy one, and anyway I've got enough bikes already, though I do fancy a 1970 T100c.......
Hi Paul try living in Ireland and the you would know the meaning of RAIN .Never stops oh yes it does for one month in the year LOL Great stuff Paul Thanks 👍👍👍👍
Totally agree with the permanent lights on nonsense, and it's not even a legal requirement for bikes in the UK, although it is for cars since some year or other, but cars these days have alternator's that could power a house so not such a problem for them. I have two bikes with always on lights, an Enfield C5 and an MV Agusta, and it annoys me considerably. It wouldn't be so bad if the lights stayed off until the engine started, then the electrical system wouldn't have to supply the thick end of a 100 watts, plus the starting current. Also, all that load on the alternator all the time is going to shorten it's life, and the regulator too. And bike electrics are exposed to a far more hostile environment than a cars system. One good thing these days though, is AGM batteries, significantly better than the old FLA type, those never lasted more than a few years if you were lucky, needed constant maintenance, and always seemed to corrode everything around them. Something that amuses me though, is the electrics on my 1967 Velo Viper. It still has the original Miller Dynamo and regulator, both of which are supposed to be terrible. They both work perfectly on the Viper and have done since I bought it in 1984!!! The trick is to make sure all the earths make good contact, if they don't all sorts of weirdness can happen and cause over heating or even burn outs in the dynamo and reg. I've added direct earths between the headlamp and frame, rear mudguard to frame, which is where the reg is mounted, and most important, the battery to frame. Never rely on bolted up parts for earths. Metal surfaces oxidise over time, especially on bikes which are frequently exposed to rain and humidity, so if those surfaces form an electrical path they gradually build up resistance and will cause problems. All good fun though, except when it leaves you stranded!! Oh yes, one last thing, I heard rumours that kickstarts had been deleted because they can potentially cause the owner injury!
This is why I won't have a bike without a kickstarter. My 78 T140V will start first or second kick, even with a flat battery. Even my "new" bike, a 1980 Suzuki GS550, was the last version to have the kickstart as well as electric (discontinued for cost reasons). I can understand that it gives the modern designers more freedom in layout if they don't have to allow for the kickstart mechanism, but it removes the safety net. I'm happy to use the electric most of the time on the GS, but I always do the first start of the day with my leg, as it lets it prime the oil system before it fires up, and reassures me that it will start on the kick if I need it to.
My old 1975 CB500/4 gave me little choice but to kick start it for the first start of the day, as the electric starter was never able to manage it even in summer. Any subsequent starts were normally OK but the first one? Not a chance. I'd have been totally stuffed without the kick start option
The bikes from pre 80's were without those nasty electronics, mostly air cooled, had two or three cylinders, until the Japanese started with 4 cylinder machines and started to flood the market with them, but all in all they could be repaired at home, unlike the ones of today. Of course you needed some special tools, but as I was an engineer I could turn up most of the things I needed, and the welder did his bit too. A new bike....no thanks! A C50 or a CB250/175 K3/4 will do me fine
Yes! I keep trying to tell people that there are more uses for a kickstarter than just starting the engine. Maybe I'm biased because, years ago, my dad did his nut about cars no longer having starting handles but he was right. You can tell a lot about the state of an engine from what happens when you turn it over manually, not to mention the removal of the load from the battery and a convenient way to move the engine when needed for maintenance purposes.
When I started messing around with motorbikes a few years ago I began to realize that the engineers who planned and built these bikes were not necessarily blessed with a high intelligence so once you understood this simple fact you were never surprised
I had some luck push starting my 900 monster with efi I wasn’t sure it would but it did . I would have liked a kickstarter that day kind of awkward running next to that bike in my gear then jumping on it my knees aren’t the greatest nor do I flex as I use too
100% with you regarding kickstarts, it was a very backwards step to do away with them, regards to lights on permanently, my 2012 modern Triumph T100 has an interrupt that cuts power to the lights when you press the starter button. My reg/rec is right up front between the forks below the headlight. Ironically a popular mod with the reg/rec is to relocate it behind the oil cooler just in front of the barrels...because it "looks better". I despair
The problem with you Paul, is you don’t understand how many sensors are needed! Let me teach you…. Now, my CD175… where are the sensors?…. Gimme a minute….. no, hang on, I’ll find them. I give up. Luckily I recently bought a new bike. Hang on, I’ll point out the sensors on that… hold on, my new bike is a 1992 Yamaha Diversion. I’ll explain fuel injection to you. Hang on! It’s got carbs! Gimme a minute, I’ll teach you about ABS… hang on, it hasn’t got it! How will I stop it?!….. 😉😊😊
Two things though. One problem is, a lot of people ARE idiots and don't switch their lights on when they ought to, although you could argue the mandatory hardwired daytime running lights have created a worse problem because people assume their lights are on and merrily drive about in the dark with front sidelights and no tail light. Regarding kick starts, the fundamental issue on most vehicles is that if there isn't enough charge to turn over the electric start, there isn't enough charge to power up the fuel pump and fuel injection control system. This is why they didn't fit a kick start on the early UCE model Indian enfields. Of course it later transpired their sprag clutches were made of a mix of melted down rupees and elephant dung and a kick-start was needed but if they aren't starting due to a flat battery, the kick start is useless.
I agree with everything you say, except its recctifier regulator. They rectify first, then regulate afterwards. The charging indicators work very well, but for the folks who are thinking of fitting one I would highly recomend the smaller ones i.e. 3 mm rather than the 10 mm ones as the smaller ones are much easier to see. They change colour according to voltage level. Green is good and charging, other colours indicate the voltage levels at that time. Very simple to fit and helpful. Sometimes, in a worst case you have to end up replacing the alternator, RecReg and battery though, because it is possible for one to knock out the other. Your friend wouild be much better off fitting a charge indicator now, because there maybe damage that doesn't become apparent for a short while in the battery. You may not agree with that. Thanks :)
My mate has got rid of his new Beemer due to sensor problems, and bought a new Ducati..... Not so long ago he sold a sorted TT250 and bought an Italian Husqvarna. Come to think about it that didn't work out well.... What's the definition of insanity?
Please do not forget the calculation when you have only electric starter. The kicker and his stuff costs money, and that for example on 850000 REs for example. That brings the companies a little extra bonus.
G'day Paul, l have a 2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, with no kick start and a light stay on and all my other bike are 60s,70s classics, and I hate the reliance on the 12v battery, so much l keep it on charge when not in use, please let me know what type of Motorcycles your mate had, and it's great what you said about the subject, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
Thats a great big can of worms Paul, Cars without spares or even a Jack?? how stupid is that! it should be illegal and Shops that wont accept Cash! Bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello Paul, I’m totally with you on this. But what do you want to change as an individual? In the past, cars also had a crank to start when the battery was weak and carburetors that could be cleaned on the go. But nobody wants that these days. People want to drive as comfortably as possible without having to get their hands dirty. If it doesn't work, the breakdown service or tow truck will come. The automobile club or the insurance company pays. When it comes to motorcycles, more and more attention is paid to useless bells and whistles such as fuel gauges or gear indicators. Motorcycles are becoming more and more complicated. The engine performance has to be limitless, with 50 hp you are already underpowered. But you need electronic driving aids again for over 200 hp... All of this is becoming more and more expensive and less and less fun. Repairing things yourself is becoming increasingly difficult. It's the same as with cars, components are only replaced because repairs are not possible or are far too expensive. But that's "progress" - make it more complicated than it needs to be, make it palatable to the customer and sell it for more money.
I bet all your followers are like me - so "you're preaching to the converted". Never-the-less, it's good to hear such common sense being expressed while we're being overcome by unrelenting widespread moves sending us backwards..... 😊
Hello Paul nice to hear your rant but I think the people who design things today have no common sense. it's like new cars no spare wheel. spot on video take care. 🛠️👍👍
New vehicles are great starters, light clutches, comfortable, fully featured etc. the only problem is that when they don’t start, you just blink and call the AA.
I've pondered it for years that the schools turn out graduates looking for work in their chosen field so those new engineers are hired on to improve the bottom line for the companies to justify their jobs. Now, they hire on for the wrong reasons so practicality gets shoved to the side. As for most new products and techniques, the question has come to my mind frequently.."When wasn't it good enough?"
Motorcycles have become a hobby rather than transport. They are not designed by people who ride daily. Very few practical bikes made now, even fewer for home maintenance.
It's only a matter of progress for the manufacturers and their dealers Paul. They don't want a diy motorcycles or cars being fixed and maintained by the owners and their trusted engineers like yourself. Even if they want to and are capable of 80 percent of the tasks. No! Go to the authorised dealer and hand over oodles of your cash for a simple, but well hidden and overly complicated job. Complexity of technology. Why? Because they can and do and the vast majority of people out there keep buying the crap and paying.
![Kodak Black - Catch Fire [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A4ch-olIuZo/mqdefault.jpg)
The Bain of 'Progressive Technology ' , mes amis, is that you do NOT always advance in a forward direction...like many dances, "1 step forward, 2 steps back".
agree with you, change a coil on my burgman 400 took 2 hours, my t140 5 minutes
A good rant Paul, I totally agree with everything you said. Keep up the good work (and the rants)!
The writing was on the wall about 15 years ago when you looked up a problem in the Haynes manual and it would say 'Refer To Dealer'
The gs Haynes manual I had for my 1200 was largely about how to remove the plastic. ( I’m exaggerating, but there’s not a massive amount that an owner can do without laptops). Brakes aren’t easy to service or bleed, and fair play it was reliable but the fuel pump went, new part required. Not strippable. Brake servo went, I removed it and reverted to non servo ( better)
I lately converted my 54 year old Moto Guzzi Ambassador back to a points ignition. The goal with this bike is to go places where there is no cell phone service. Since I’ll be on my own and calling a service truck is out, I want it all to be serviceable with hand tools at the roadside. I’ll carry some spares, of course, but the point is, I want the independence, and the self reliance.
A fellow I know wound up in trouble recently with his 6 month old BMW GS. He was at a filling station, the gas cap had some stupid electronic interlock that prevented him from opening the gas tank to fuel the bike. He was stuck there for a couple of hours. No thanks, for me. I’ll stick with a simple machine.
Totally agree Paul , the modern cars have so many computers that you cannot fault find without very expensive diagnostic equipment. Top end bikes the same
My old mount is a 1980 HD Shovelhead! The factory electronic ignition is history & has good old points & the electric start system has been sent to the bin but the kick start works very well! Kudos Paul!👍
Very true words Paul. So called progress.
My 1340 Shovelhead was fitted with electric start and kick start when I first brought it... not long after the starter packed up. I took it off and never re fitted it ..Silly thing to say perhaps but kicking a bike into life is a joy . when it starts that is !
Until you get older and have a bad hip and can't kick it over any longer.
@@martinrice9190 I will be 77 in March I am sorry for those not so fortunate !
I'm 71 & now ride a Royal Enfield Trials with both electric & kick start. I am in good shape and have no problems kicking over a motorcycle. I have a son who is only 54 and had a hip replacement that didn't go well. He has a 2590Honda scrambler he can't ride any longer because he can't kick it over. Sucks. @@kafkastrial8650
@@martinrice9190 I will be 77 in March but I do feel sorry for those that are less fortunate than me !
Before I even press the starter button on my modern fuel injected bike , the small 9 amp hour battery, is powering the ECU , the fuel pump in the fuel tank ,all the sensors for the fuel injection system ,ABS system ,coolant circuit ,gear position sensor ,all the digital read out instrument screen ,front & rear lights & any other various fitted hidden electrical gubbins. There is nothing you can switch off to place less stress on your battery before pressing the starter button . The owners manual advises not to bump start the engine as it’s fuel injected & risks damage for some reason . At least when I still had my 20 year old Suzuki bandit ,I could switch all the lights off & the bare minimum of electrics required before the starter button was pressed ,if the battery was low ,at least the bike could be bump started & enough juice generated to power the ignition circuit & power the lights .Back in the day the old owners hand books gave you information on adjusting virtually everything on the bike & the basic tools to do the job . Now you are lucky to even be supplied with a couple of Allen keys ,& except for a couple of basic adjustments ,you’re advised to take the bike to the dealer ,for simple even simple basic servicing tasks . This is the result of motorcycle manufacturers allowing computer gaming nerds into their design departments .
Hi there Paul, just watched your recent rants on utube on telly, so came on phone so i can comment.
Defo agree with pre 1980 to recent bikes for access.
Your from same era as me, a motorbike should be as a young kid would draw, or imitate noise, would all be like the classic British ones, not a Kawasaki er5 in sight.
Your rants are superb, keep them going 😂
Totally with you Paul. Even my classic cars have starting handles. Love all your videos and rants.
Thanks 👍
When I go on a big tour on the Vincent or Norton Commando, I bring a tool kit and spare ignition parts, actually an entire spare ignition save 1 coil, as I cant imagine both coils dieing on the same trip.
When I do a trip on the Thruxton r or Daytona 955i, I dont bother bringing tools. I wouldnt know where to start in the event of a problem on the modern bikes. I count on the smartphone and roadside assistance, although the mobile phones dont work on some of those Mountain roads.
So far the modern bikes have a perfect record, no issues in about 25,000 kms of touring.
The 1947 Vincent has had a couple of electrical issues, ironically with a modern alternators fitted to replace an original Miller 6 volt dynamo that died on one trip. I guess that makes 3 charging issues including the Miller. The bike was converted to point coil ignition in the 70s so we had to improvise to make it home about 200 mile when the Miller died, then 400 + miles on one trip and over 1500 on another with the Alton. The second Alton failure was not the fault of the Alton. It was due to one of those ultra modern Lithium batteries turning itself into a little flamethrower and destroying the whole charging system. I'm back on acid now😊
Those three roadside problems are all that we have had in nearly 100,000 kms of touring on the 47 Vincent, so no complaints.
A corroded bullet connector got us on the Commando. We were a couple of hundred miles from home when we lost sparks. Fortunately I was with friends who rode to the nearest town and purchased a lawn tractor battery which I stuffed into the saddlebag. It powered the ignition dead loss for the 200 or so miles home.
When the Vincent Alton died in California we were about 4 days riding from home so we used a battery charger at night.
Extension cord out the Motel bathroom window works a treat!
Last 25 years I've been riding my Yamaha sr500 1981, done 62000 miles on it, never stripped crankcases, decided to buy a 'new' bike, just bought a 1999 Kawasaki w650, easy bike to work on carbs etc no fancy bits. The last bike I'll ever own. Bikes now have gone like cars, can't fix most things yourself, take to the dealers. Crap.
Perhaps makers of modern machine can offer some 'extras', kickstarter and magneto ignition, perhaps? I'm currently re-commissioning magneto ignition on my elderly Constellation, as there are many locations in my area that have scant (or no) mobile coverage, and I don't fancy finding myself up a well-known creek without a paddle!
Completely understandable rant there. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop at motorcycles. Changing society effects manufacturers and corporations to exploit profit. What about cars that no longer have a spare tire fitted, but come with a very “attractive” road side assistent package? Electronic parking brake buttons instead of the regular pull handle? And car manufacturers not even listing the purchase price of vehicles but instead post the monthly lease fee on their websites?
Good rant. I had a 1987 XBR500 Honda single electric and kick start. The valve decompressor cable part of the kick start lever. The winter weather got to it. Bikes now with ECU, diagnostics and sensors extra problems to go wrong big style. Still much prefer my BSA B44 👍
Nice one Paul, totally agree, I bet that was a modern Triumph,. that's where it is located on mine!
Hi Dave, it wasn't a Triumph, so clearly a bad idea has been shared or pinched!
Interceptor, that’s where the reg/rec is fitted. It’s a bit of a regular failure on the bike. Sadly.
I had an old battery on my c15, that went flat in cold weather, my friend was amazed when I said its ok it has emergency start, I had to give it a short push but it was 17 years old and unrestored, it ran great.
With the mandatory lights on, it’s been USA thing since the 70’s. My 79 cx500 deluxe, headlight on as soon as the key is turned.
Yes, it was a "for safety" issue, visibility. I was working at a Kawasaki/Suzuki dealership at the time and we thought it was overkill but it satisfied some kind of new regulation. If I recall correctly, it was the lobbying of the insurance companies because in so many accidents that involved autos in collision, driver's often stated that they "just didn't see the motorcycle".
My 1985 Harley Wide Glide is exactly the same which does you no favours if the battery is slightly lower than ideal. Stupid idea 😡
I agree Paul you are so right
The 1980 DR/SP/GN 400 singles had a spark circuit entirely separate from lights charging etc. So not only was there less to go wrong but they started whatever the state of the rest of the electrics by kickstart. And Honda 185s and old KLXs and TT500s from that era [all of which I have] are pretty much the same. All my brit bikes are magneto too.
The Himalayan was supposed to be a go anywhere remote tough vehicle. It hasn't got a kickstart, so I wouldn't buy one, and anyway I've got enough bikes already, though I do fancy a 1970 T100c.......
Well said. Thanks.
Hi Paul try living in Ireland and the you would know the meaning of RAIN .Never stops oh yes it does for one month in the year LOL Great stuff Paul Thanks 👍👍👍👍
Totally agree with the permanent lights on nonsense, and it's not even a legal requirement for bikes in the UK, although it is for cars since some year or other, but cars these days have alternator's that could power a house so not such a problem for them. I have two bikes with always on lights, an Enfield C5 and an MV Agusta, and it annoys me considerably. It wouldn't be so bad if the lights stayed off until the engine started, then the electrical system wouldn't have to supply the thick end of a 100 watts, plus the starting current. Also, all that load on the alternator all the time is going to shorten it's life, and the regulator too. And bike electrics are exposed to a far more hostile environment than a cars system. One good thing these days though, is AGM batteries, significantly better than the old FLA type, those never lasted more than a few years if you were lucky, needed constant maintenance, and always seemed to corrode everything around them. Something that amuses me though, is the electrics on my 1967 Velo Viper. It still has the original Miller Dynamo and regulator, both of which are supposed to be terrible. They both work perfectly on the Viper and have done since I bought it in 1984!!! The trick is to make sure all the earths make good contact, if they don't all sorts of weirdness can happen and cause over heating or even burn outs in the dynamo and reg. I've added direct earths between the headlamp and frame, rear mudguard to frame, which is where the reg is mounted, and most important, the battery to frame. Never rely on bolted up parts for earths. Metal surfaces oxidise over time, especially on bikes which are frequently exposed to rain and humidity, so if those surfaces form an electrical path they gradually build up resistance and will cause problems. All good fun though, except when it leaves you stranded!! Oh yes, one last thing, I heard rumours that kickstarts had been deleted because they can potentially cause the owner injury!
This is why I won't have a bike without a kickstarter. My 78 T140V will start first or second kick, even with a flat battery. Even my "new" bike, a 1980 Suzuki GS550, was the last version to have the kickstart as well as electric (discontinued for cost reasons). I can understand that it gives the modern designers more freedom in layout if they don't have to allow for the kickstart mechanism, but it removes the safety net. I'm happy to use the electric most of the time on the GS, but I always do the first start of the day with my leg, as it lets it prime the oil system before it fires up, and reassures me that it will start on the kick if I need it to.
My old 1975 CB500/4 gave me little choice but to kick start it for the first start of the day, as the electric starter was never able to manage it even in summer. Any subsequent starts were normally OK but the first one? Not a chance. I'd have been totally stuffed without the kick start option
The bikes from pre 80's were without those nasty electronics, mostly air cooled, had two or three cylinders, until the Japanese started with 4 cylinder machines and started to flood the market with them, but all in all they could be repaired at home, unlike the ones of today. Of course you needed some special tools, but as I was an engineer I could turn up most of the things I needed, and the welder did his bit too. A new bike....no thanks! A C50 or a CB250/175 K3/4 will do me fine
Yes! I keep trying to tell people that there are more uses for a kickstarter than just starting the engine. Maybe I'm biased because, years ago, my dad did his nut about cars no longer having starting handles but he was right. You can tell a lot about the state of an engine from what happens when you turn it over manually, not to mention the removal of the load from the battery and a convenient way to move the engine when needed for maintenance purposes.
Oh , would it have been a RE Interceptor 650 by any chance😀?
When I started messing around with motorbikes a few years ago I began to realize that the engineers who planned and built these bikes were not necessarily blessed with a high intelligence so once you understood this simple fact you were never surprised
I had some luck push starting my 900 monster with efi I wasn’t sure it would but it did . I would have liked a kickstarter that day kind of awkward running next to that bike in my gear then jumping on it my knees aren’t the greatest nor do I flex as I use too
100% with you regarding kickstarts, it was a very backwards step to do away with them, regards to lights on permanently, my 2012 modern Triumph T100 has an interrupt that cuts power to the lights when you press the starter button. My reg/rec is right up front between the forks below the headlight. Ironically a popular mod with the reg/rec is to relocate it behind the oil cooler just in front of the barrels...because it "looks better". I despair
Magneto ingition?
The problem with you Paul, is you don’t understand how many sensors are needed! Let me teach you…. Now, my CD175… where are the sensors?…. Gimme a minute….. no, hang on, I’ll find them. I give up. Luckily I recently bought a new bike. Hang on, I’ll point out the sensors on that… hold on, my new bike is a 1992 Yamaha Diversion. I’ll explain fuel injection to you. Hang on! It’s got carbs! Gimme a minute, I’ll teach you about ABS… hang on, it hasn’t got it! How will I stop it?!….. 😉😊😊
I take it You were talking about an Interceptor Paul 😂
Two things though. One problem is, a lot of people ARE idiots and don't switch their lights on when they ought to, although you could argue the mandatory hardwired daytime running lights have created a worse problem because people assume their lights are on and merrily drive about in the dark with front sidelights and no tail light. Regarding kick starts, the fundamental issue on most vehicles is that if there isn't enough charge to turn over the electric start, there isn't enough charge to power up the fuel pump and fuel injection control system. This is why they didn't fit a kick start on the early UCE model Indian enfields. Of course it later transpired their sprag clutches were made of a mix of melted down rupees and elephant dung and a kick-start was needed but if they aren't starting due to a flat battery, the kick start is useless.
I agree with everything you say, except its recctifier regulator. They rectify first, then regulate afterwards. The charging indicators work very well, but for the folks who are thinking of fitting one I would highly recomend the smaller ones i.e. 3 mm rather than the 10 mm ones as the smaller ones are much easier to see. They change colour according to voltage level. Green is good and charging, other colours indicate the voltage levels at that time. Very simple to fit and helpful. Sometimes, in a worst case you have to end up replacing the alternator, RecReg and battery though, because it is possible for one to knock out the other. Your friend wouild be much better off fitting a charge indicator now, because there maybe damage that doesn't become apparent for a short while in the battery. You may not agree with that. Thanks :)
My mate has got rid of his new Beemer due to sensor problems, and bought a new Ducati.....
Not so long ago he sold a sorted TT250 and bought an Italian Husqvarna. Come to think about it that didn't work out well....
What's the definition of insanity?
Please do not forget the calculation when you have only electric starter. The kicker and his stuff costs money, and that for example on 850000 REs for example. That brings the companies a little extra bonus.
G'day Paul, l have a 2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, with no kick start and a light stay on and all my other bike are 60s,70s classics, and I hate the reliance on the 12v battery, so much l keep it on charge when not in use, please let me know what type of Motorcycles your mate had, and it's great what you said about the subject, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
Hi Neil - shall we say it was one like yours ...
Thanks mate, cheers
Thats a great big can of worms Paul, Cars without spares or even a Jack?? how stupid is that! it should be illegal and Shops that wont accept Cash! Bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my guess is its a new interceptor ,known issue with rr unit
Hello Paul, I’m totally with you on this. But what do you want to change as an individual? In the past, cars also had a crank to start when the battery was weak and carburetors that could be cleaned on the go. But nobody wants that these days. People want to drive as comfortably as possible without having to get their hands dirty. If it doesn't work, the breakdown service or tow truck will come. The automobile club or the insurance company pays. When it comes to motorcycles, more and more attention is paid to useless bells and whistles such as fuel gauges or gear indicators. Motorcycles are becoming more and more complicated. The engine performance has to be limitless, with 50 hp you are already underpowered. But you need electronic driving aids again for over 200 hp... All of this is becoming more and more expensive and less and less fun. Repairing things yourself is becoming increasingly difficult. It's the same as with cars, components are only replaced because repairs are not possible or are far too expensive. But that's "progress" - make it more complicated than it needs to be, make it palatable to the customer and sell it for more money.
I bet all your followers are like me - so "you're preaching to the converted". Never-the-less, it's good to hear such common sense being expressed while we're being overcome by unrelenting widespread moves sending us backwards..... 😊
Hello Paul nice to hear your rant but I think the people who design things today have no common sense. it's like new cars no spare wheel. spot on video take care. 🛠️👍👍
New vehicles are great starters, light clutches, comfortable, fully featured etc. the only problem is that when they don’t start, you just blink and call the AA.
I've pondered it for years that the schools turn out graduates looking for work in their chosen field so those new engineers are hired on to improve the bottom line for the companies to justify their jobs. Now, they hire on for the wrong reasons so practicality gets shoved to the side. As for most new products and techniques, the question has come to my mind frequently.."When wasn't it good enough?"
@@whalesong999 I love the line from Jurassic Park about scientists: “They always knew they could, they just never stopped to see if they should”.
You're dead right Paul !! 👍
Motorcycles have become a hobby rather than transport. They are not designed by people who ride daily. Very few practical bikes made now, even fewer for home maintenance.
Modern bikes are better heh well said mate
It's only a matter of progress for the manufacturers and their dealers Paul.
They don't want a diy motorcycles or cars being fixed and maintained by the owners and their trusted engineers like yourself. Even if they want to and are capable of 80 percent of the tasks.
No!
Go to the authorised dealer and hand over oodles of your cash for a simple, but well hidden and overly complicated job.
Complexity of technology. Why? Because they can and do and the vast majority of people out there keep buying the crap and paying.
I know exactly the bike you are on about, the most stupid and awkward pace to position the rr unit.
IM GREAT BELEIVER IN KICK START I WOULD MAKE IT LAW ALL MOTORCYCLES HAVE THEMAND EMERGENCY IGINTION