Alternate ways to start an XR650L

[evomx971]

One of the biggest drawbacks (to me anyway) on my 'L' is the lack of a kickstarter. I've never had it not start and I haven't particularly read that the starting systems are a problem on them, but it's still something I worry about.

Over beers the other night with some friends I'm going to be taking a trip with (and who all have kickstarts on their bikes) we were trying to come up with alternate ways to get an L started up if for some reason the battery got tired or starter failed.

Of course, if conditions are right (hard surface, not too steep, and enough room) I can push start it.

What else?

If you backed a running bike up so the rear tires were touching, using the knobbies as rudimentary gear teeth, do you think you could get the L rear tire spinning in gear then let the clutch out to get the motor turning over to start? I need to test this one.

If you had someone holding the bike and attached a tie down to the rear rim and wrapped the tie down around the circumference of the tire, could you effectively spin it over (like a crude rope starter)? Again, I need to test this out.

Other ideas?

Also, I was wondering if it wouldn't start and I thought the battery was good and the starter was fine, so something was maybe wrong with the button or the solenoid or wiring someplace could I take a pair of jumper cables and hook the battery directly to the starter to get it turning over, basically bypassing all the switches and wiring? I'd want some input on this one before I test it.

Thanks!!!

[martinfan30]

or buy a 600r side case, idler and kickstarter and install them on your L.

[evomx971]

I thought it took more than just the idler and kickstart mechanism to adapt the 600 kicker. You don't have to split the cases to change out some of the internal gears or shafts?

[martinfan30]

I thought it took more than just the idler and kickstart mechanism to adapt the 600 kicker. You don't have to split the cases to change out some of the internal gears or shafts?

ya split the cases to replace a shaft.

[crmc33]

Yes its very annoying that Honda decided not to machine one diameter on the end of the shaft on the XRL just to save money. It wouldve been nice to have the option on all the XR/XL engines

[martinfan30]

Yes its very annoying that Honda decided not to machine one diameter on the end of the shaft on the XRL just to save money. It wouldve been nice to have the option on all the XR/XL engines

ya no S!@# !! how much more would that have costed??

[LeadDoggy]

If you are unable to coast down a hill, tow strap and bump start. 2nd gear works good for bump starts.

[tfb4me]

My Brp starts in 3rd gear with just a push on flat ground without a problem.Give it a try you would be suprised how easy it fires

[Whiteman]

When you do that tire to tire test please video tape and post the results. Make sure you say " watch this, hold my beer" before you start.

[-=Jughead=-]

When you do that tire to tire test please video tape and post the results. Make sure you say " watch this, hold my beer" before you start.

Funny stuff. I had visions of Jimmy Knoxville and We-Man when I read that.

But, quite honestly, it may just work, and he could be on to something, especially if you are in a bind---far, far, from the truck...

[evomx971]

Oh, heck yes. Both tests will need to be taped just for how redneck we'll look doing it.

Anyone have any input on the other question? Will the bike turn over and not be damaged if you run jumper cables from the battery straight to the starter motor?

[evomx971]

Most of my buddies will be on XR650R's. What I anticipate happening is that I'll have worked out all these creative ways to get my "L" going and one of those guys will snap off a kickstarter or screw up the internal kickstart mechanism and they'll end up having to get it started using one of my methods provided it can't be bumped or towed.

[-=Jughead=-]

Oh, heck yes. Both tests will need to be taped just for how redneck we'll look doing it.

Anyone have any input on the other question? Will the bike turn over and not be damaged if you run jumper cables from the battery straight to the starter motor?

Hmmmm...can you just jump/bypass the solenoid with a pair of pliers, etc.? IF so, it'd be less fuss and fewer emergency items to tote along.

(I had a '69 Mach One I'd do this to, in High School, until I could afford a new solenoid.)

[tjmiller]

Ok, this would be a pain in the butt, but if you are down in the sand whoops before lake diablo, you might not have a chance to do any push/pull starting and not sure if the idea on the back tire to back tire would work. Take off the rear tire, split the chain, take your towstrap and attach it to one end of the chain somehow (wire it?). Thread the chain over the front sprocket, have the bike ready to start in perhaps 2nd gear, then pull on the towstrap so the entire length of chain will rotate the sproket which will turn over the engine. The advantage to this over the "rear tire wrap" is you won't have any slippage. Disadvantage is you only have 1 length of chain to go through the sprocket to turn over the engine. You could also take the chain(s) off all other bikes and hook together so you have more length of chain to spin that front sprocket. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if you would be able to turn the engine over this way since I've never tried it.?

[martinfan30]

Ok, this would be a pain in the butt, but if you are down in the sand whoops before lake diablo, you might not have a chance to do any push/pull starting and not sure if the idea on the back tire to back tire would work. Take off the rear tire, split the chain, take your towstrap and attach it to one end of the chain somehow (wire it?). Thread the chain over the front sprocket, have the bike ready to start in perhaps 2nd gear, then pull on the towstrap so the entire length of chain will rotate the sproket which will turn over the engine. The advantage to this over the "rear tire wrap" is you won't have any slippage. Disadvantage is you only have 1 length of chain to go through the sprocket to turn over the engine. You could also take the chain(s) off all other bikes and hook together so you have more length of chain to spin that front sprocket. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if you would be able to turn the engine over this way since I've never tried it.?

might work, but thats alot of leverage to overcome!

[evomx971]

Hmmmm...can you just jump/bypass the solenoid with a pair of pliers, etc.? IF so, it'd be less fuss and fewer emergency items to tote along.(

You're right, that would be the better way to do that. It would still bypass all the safety switches and wiring and get the starter spinning.

[ChappyMX828]

Most of my buddies will be on XR650R's. What I anticipate happening is that I'll have worked out all these creative ways to get my "L" going and one of those guys will snap off a kickstarter or screw up the internal kickstart mechanism and they'll end up having to get it started using one of my methods provided it can't be bumped or towed.

Hey, don't be jinxin' us like that!