Sunday, September 3, 2023

What does bump starting a motorcycle mean?

 I'm not sure the way most motorcycles are made today whether this would still work. But, in the 1960s and before it worked fine on the motorcycles built before about 1970 or 1980. Then it was mostly kick starters and electric starting wasn't often available on Motorcycles then. So, sometimes in colder weather usually even with the choke on you couldn't kick start your motorcycle. So, another method was to put your motorcycle in 2nd gear and run with it along the ground using the weight of the vehicle to get it started while you held the clutch in 2nd gear in. Then you popped suddenly the clutch which used the power of the whole motorcycle moving forward to start the engine. I got very good at this. I found this really useful with my old BSA 500 world war II motorcycle used in North Africa during the war because sometimes I wouldn't be riding it for up to a year between rides when I stored it at my father's place in the desert. And for at least the BSA 500 this bump starting ALWAYS worked in starting it as long as I owned this motorcycle which I think was from 1968 until 1985.

One trick for not being injured doing this. Never start the motorcycle by releasing the clutch unless you are riding on the motorcycle at the same time otherwise you could be seriously injured. you want to be coasting at a good clip after running alongside of it. Then with both feet on the foot pegs you release the clutch and sometimes this will start your motorcycle. However, remember to turn on your gas cock if it was closed while you stored your motorcycle first so Gasoline can get into the engine so it can actually start.

But, you also have to brace against the front handlebars so you aren't thrown over the handlebars if the motorcycle doesn't start and it stops suddenly.

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