HOW TO KICK START A MOTORCYCLE - British Unit Singles (1972 BSA B50SS)

First video of several in the 'How to Kick Start a Motorcycle' series, showing proper starting procedure for each particular type of motorcycle. What a better bike to start on than an old 500cc BSA single cylinder scrambler?

[gordonyoung]

You are a brave man to kickstart a B50 bare footed.

[jimchung]

I had a 441VS. I suggest priming such a cold engine with a few kicks with the ignition off before trying to really start it. The huff and puffing plus breaking your sandals attest to the true nature of starting these large displacement singles.

[robertkerian]

I loved my b50 in my youth and was thinking of picking another up 50 years later, just for nostalgic reasons. But, after watching your struggles starting one, I think I'll stick with current models!

[michaeltobey]

If you hold the compression release (not decompression release) lightly you can feel a click at the exact right position of the stroke where to release it. Also prime a few kicks first without ignition like has been said. Also time to fix that return spring. Oh and sell the bike and buy some shoes!

[nickmarshall]

I have a b50
If you want to start it first kick make sure you take the engine past tdc until you feel the exhaust valve starts to open
You can feel it open with the valve lifter
Then return the Kickstarter to the top give a good full swing and it should start

[thraherxbs]

Says never kick it on the stand. Proceeds to kick it on the stand. NEVER kick a bike over on the stand, and always sit over the bike to get a decent full swing on the lever, and never let the lever smack back or it damages the internal stop or cracks the cases.

[rider]

The brazed lugs on BSA will crack and rotate your exactly right.

[markmathews]

I was once winding the motor over by hand while checking the points & it kicked back, that was 47 years ago & my wrist is still crying

[davidrennicks]

I 've got a 1950s Royal Enfield 250 and it's a bitch to start when it's cold, I really dislike kick starters !!! PS The bear foot is a very bad idea as you could seriously damage the tendons in the sole of your foot.

[dereksmith]

You missed a step, prime the cylinder with the ignition off first kick or two, then ignition on and kick away .

[littlejohnnycnc]

Man, there sure are a lot of know it alls and super cool guys in the

[carlnapp]

I had a mate who started his Yamaha XT 500 from '78 per hand.
By the way, next time change the return spring.

[jasonoxenbury]

Hi very nice bike. .thanks for the demonstration . Gorgeous in barefoot .it shows it can be done . I'm British X proud .we can do the same thing. We made this dream motorbike o.k

[seeburg]

So at 5:53 it finally starts after you forgot to use the decompressor or was it a bad edit, cutting out the 300 other attempts you made at starting this bike.? My 441 will start 2nd kick after a whole winter laying idle and I am 10 stone weed. Looking forward to your next video on how to NOT start a bike.

[gertkristensen]

if you pass TDC piston must go down (power) up (ex) down (intake) and up full compression stroke bikes start on one singel stroke qiuck comp / ignistion = start😃😃

[pachy]

That's completely not how to kick start a bike, if you stand next to it like that & it backfires your knee can smack you in the face, you stand astride the bike to do it.

Also, you wouldn't ride a bike in sandals so why wear them to start the bike.

[realsasquatch]

Do not start on kickstand! ... Starts it on kickstand ....