I am new to atcs and this forum but, my 85 big red has some problems. It will turn over when you hit the electric start but the kick start will not even budge. It has been sitting for a while. Is this a sure sign the engine is locked up?

 

Welcome to the forum. If the engine turns over with the starter......it's not locked up, you may just have an issue with the kick starter itself, or a trans problym.

 

Thanks for your help I will look at the trans. Has anyone heard of big reds having a problem with the kick start?

 

I assume you know the kickstart on a Big Red goes forward and not backwards. Opposite to a motor cycle.
Usually the opposite is the problem with the big red, the kickstart slips when the sprag clutch gives out.

 

I know it goes forward but it will not move. I assumed that that meant the engine was locked up, but I was told that 4 strokes don't lock up very often.

 

Looks like you will have to pull the case cover off. This is not a problem but putting it back on can be a challenge if you have not done it before. The reverse shaft and spring usually come off with the cover and it is a bit tricky to put back in place. If you tip the bike on its side you can do it without draining the oil but it might be a good idea to change the oil anyway if it has been sitting for a while.

 

So what happened ???????????

 

Well i took the case cover off. That's about as far as I have gotten due to work and a busy schedule right now but hopefully sometime soon I will get some time to work on it.