Motorcycle Forum banner

Honda CB360 Kick Starter Problems...

15K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  slumlord 
#1 ·
Looks like I originally posted this in the wrong area, so here it is.


Got some problems with my kick starter. I'm a beginner with motorcycles and engines all together, but I'm working on it with my father(experienced with cars, but not motorcycles) and I know the basics. Everything looks to be in decent shape except this kick starter and the electric start doesn't work (was told by my brother whom worked on the bike several years back).

This bike isn't running right now, but I'm confident that once this is resolved it will start up fine. First off the tab on the case that the return spring latches to is broken, so whenever I go to kick start the bike I have to pull the arm back up. We plan on fixing this issue in the future after we know the bike is worth the time/effort/money. The main issue with it though is whenever the bike is in gear, with the clutch held, the bike will roll forward with some resistance and a clicking sound which we know is coming from somewhere on the kick starter shaft. (Can touch the arm and feel it vibrate with each click) And when we go to roll it backwards, it won't go at all, it's jammed. Is this to be expected or does anyone think maybe something else is broken as well? Things just don't sound right, but then again I don't know for sure what things SHOULD sound like... if that makes any sense.

Also, does anyone know if it is possible to simply weld the aluminum piece that broke off back on to the case? I don't think the return spring is the only problem, perhaps something else got damaged inside. I really wish I knew what happened exactly. All I know is that my friend was trying to kick start it, this thing snapped... and then he pretty much abandoned it.


Within the next few days we'll be pulling the engine out and dissecting the bike if we can't figure out what is up. Any comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. And please let me know if you all have had this issue and how to resolve it as well. I want to ride my bike this summer so badly!

Thanks, :)

-Miranda
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Not Normal.

You should be able to engage the clutch and roll the bike around. Be aware that the kick starter is engaged to the transmission at this point and that is not good. If you want to evaluate the bike to see if it is a keeper,here is where to start. First off,you are gonna need that electric starter to work because a bike that has been stored for years will leave you frustrated without that starter working.
First,check for frozen pistons. Remove the sparkplugs to take the compression off the engine. Put a little quality penetrating oil in the spark plug holes and turn the engine over by holding in the clutch and turning the nut that is located under the left cover where the stator [generator] lives. If it turns,your pistons are not stuck. However,we must still work around the fact that your kickstarter is probably "stuck" to the transmission.Remember to hold the clutch in at all times when doing any tests!
Now,that electric starter might work if we bypass a couple of storage issues. Old stored bikes are subject to a little corrosion on the connections between the starter button and wiring harness,so we need a quick test . The quickest test is to wire the positive post of a battery directly to the starter cable and use another heavy wire to ground the negative post to engine. Just touch it to the engine,and if it spins, you are on your way. Of course,remember to hold the clutch in when you do this test, because of your kickstarter. You can also quickly test the starter solenoid. there are 2 little lead wires on the solenoid that operate it. The black wire goes to the + terminal of the battery,and the red and yellow lead goes to ground. If the solenoid clicks,it should be OK. Of course,you will need some small test leads with alligator clips to do this test.
If you do not want to buy a motorcycle battery for now, just make some heavy test leads. I used old #12 stranded extension cord and wired all 3 wires to an eye connector and used a spare car battery.
I am sorry that I do not know more about kick starters,but since I have a 1974 CB 360, at least I can try stuff out on my bike for you to see what is "normal" for your bike
There is also some good info about "troubleshooting a bike that will not start" on dansmc.com. My bike sat for 20+ years in a barn,so let's hope that yours still has some life in it. Good luck.
 
#3 ·
put it in neutral and see if it makes the noise.

If you pull in the clutch and it makes noise or is still "connected" maybe its just worn out and is still engaged a little. Adjjust the clutch nut thing so that the clutch is fully disengaged when you pull in the lever. you know what i mean?>

Does the bike turn over when you kick it?

The not rolling thing could be one of the brakes rubbing or the chain is old and not moving properly.
 
#4 ·
Thank you both for the replies, I'll do what you have suggested within the next few days when I get a chance and let you know what's up.

When the bike is in gear and I hold in the clutch it will move *a little*. It is difficult to roll it forward, but it will go some (and make that clicking sound, possibly the ratchet like stuff on the kick starter?). But when I go to move it backward it won't roll at all. Surely the same things apply for a motorcycle as they do for a manual transmission car... definetly sounds like something is still engaged... It should roll backward and forward freely from what I understand, but there is alot of resistance. The brakes have been removed temporarily while we work on it, the back brake was locked due to corrosion on the brake shoes, so I know they don't have anything to do with it.

The bike does turn over when kicked, and there is compression. I've removed the spark plugs and just put my finger over the holes and I can feel it push them back just fine. It's chain is old indeed, but well greased up, and it rolls just fine in neutral and doesn't make the clicking sound. I do need to figure out the clutch adjustment situation. My dad was messing around with it before we realized that the bike was locked due to the rear brake corrosion, perhaps he didn't tighten it back up correctly.

Anymore thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks again! :D


-Miranda
 
#5 ·
Ok... so it appears that the clutch is working properly, I adjusted it and readjusted to make sure. It seems that the kick starter shaft is staying engaged at all times, only once could I get the bike to roll backwards in gear without the kick starter lever moving with it, so it is clearly staying engaged. I really don't know what to do from here... I'm guessing I need to take the engine apart and see why it's stuck. It rolls forward just fine in gear with the clutch pulled, although you can hear that ratchet click sound on the kick starter shaft.

Any suggestions as to what you all may think the problem is? As I'm not sure if it is a common problem or not. Everything else seems to be working just fine aside from the electric starter.

Thanks,

-Miranda
 
#6 ·
Check for frozen pistons

Put the bike up on the double stand. Pull the spark plugs [to remove engine compression] and put the tranny in the highest gear. If the pistons are not frozen, the rear wheel can be turned by hand to turn the engine over.
Ok,let's assume that the engine is still stuck. It could be the pistons, or it could be the electric starter is stuck and that is why your friend broke the kick starter. See where this is going? It becomes a guessing game. If there is any way you can figure out how to get the kick starter disengaged,that would be a big help. Your electric starter for this bike probably has a chain that fastens on the starter gear. I am not certain,but i think the starter gear comes off the shaft along with the key. Just make sure that you do not drop the key or the chain inside the motorcycle. Now,after disengaging both starters,the engine is still stuck,it should be the pistons. Of course with the electric starter out,it can be tested and repaired.
If this were my bike and I could get enough of the kick starter linkage out of there,I would then repair the electric starter and forget about the kick starter.
You can also go to dansmc.com,click on the motorcycle repair course,and find 'troubleshooting a bike that will not start' He also has a section on kick and electric starters. Keep us posted
 
#7 ·
Honda CB360 kick starter problem

Hi Miranda
My 1995 Honda CB360 would rachet when the engine was spinning.
The engine was takin apart at one time and the kick start shaft and parts were put back together wrong.
The inner gear in the case was installed upside down and the ramp on the gear was not pulling the 2 gears apart when the kick starter lever was in the upright position.
If this is the case with your kickstart asy. the cases will need to be split and the gear will need to be removed and installed properly.
Good luck, Gary
 
#9 ·
Hi Miranda
My 1975 Honda CB360 would rachet when the engine was spinning.
The engine was takin apart at one time and the kick start shaft and parts were put back together wrong.
The inner gear in the case was installed upside down and the ramp on the gear was not pulling the 2 gears apart when the kick starter lever was in the upright position.
If this is the case with your kickstart asy. the cases will need to be split and the gear will need to be removed and installed properly.
Good luck, Gary
Sorry for the mistake Slummy.
 
#8 ·
Welcome to the forum GTAH. Good on ya' for trying to help out. A good thing to do before posting on a thread is to check the date of the thread and the last post date. The original thread starter started this thread 3 years ago and only hung around for eight posts..........
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top