i have an 87' mojave that has a problem with the kickstarter. when you kick it over, it hits a real hard spot that you have to force it past and i know that it's not the compression stroke causing it. it has caused two sets of kick start gears to break already (even the heavier updated ones) i have a shop manual and am an experienced mechanic, but i can't find anything wrong with it. has anyone run into this problem before? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey Scrapheap,

Just wanted to write sense nobody else will. Hate to see a fellow Mojave owner experience something like that especially when you don't know what's wrong. I haven't the slightest clue as to what could be causing that problem but I hope you find it!

 

You may want to check the compression release parts on the exhaust cam.I had a Mohave , it had the same problem.The exhaust valve is bumped open by a spinning weight to reduce the back presure when kick starting.If this is worn out you get a full compression stroke when you kick.It has broken the gear shaft that the idler gear on the kick starter rides on .Very hard to kick...I got a 300ex,no more kicking...

 

check where the gear goes into case.Is It wallowed out? If no then get updated gears,I have a tecate and have had mojave,s Just a note ALWAYS TAKE THE SLACK OUT OF THE KICK STARTER before kicking.(not like a HD sporster)Dont hop on the kicker or try to start like a kx or cr kicking very ffast.kick firmly and hold at the bottom of stroke.If it starts you will hear a funny clicking noise no big deal,let up when running.Firm and slow is the key >Just had a thought check kick shaft there is two gears that mesh by spring pressure if they are rounded to much your kickstarter shaft will slip and catch, enough times you will break the idler gears. mike