I would love to hear your advice on how to kickstart a bike properly. How could you do it wrong? I always used my boot to push the starter down in a kicking motion. Please enlighten me to your method if it differs from mine.

Not to be a dick, but I have seen WAAAY too many of these things break to know it is not a fluke. Two years ago I was one of eight guys in our group that rode KX250's. Now because of things like this I am the only one left although I won't be buying another green bike. You can clearly see the casting flaw on the TWO KX250 kickstart shafts that I have sitting in front of me.

Go to the Kawi website and look at their 2002 KX250 - see how they mention the "new and improved" kickstarter shaft? That means to me that they admit they had a problem and have finally addressed it. They did it just like Kawi always does though, a few years too late.

My opinion of Kawasaki: ABSOLUTELY GREAT motors - but everything else lacks.

Are you listening, Kawasaki?

 

the kick starter on my KDX was all lose and crap, but the one on the tecate we've got is just fine, but I got rid of the KDX so didnt have to fix it.

 

hey brianc were did you get your 88 tecate parts..such as the a-arms and could you tell me how much they cost. thanks

 

From my experience thiers two type kick starts back then (not on the tecate but in general) But one clamps on with a bolt and the other uses a c-clip to hold it on the shaft.
I have a c-clip type if any one could use it.
Mainly though I would like to buy a tecate 4, if any of you all know of one reasonable e-mail me!!
Thanks

 

Nemisis, the A-arms were on the quad when I bought it, and I couldn't tell you where they came from. I have seen the odd set for sale on the internet, the last set being pretty expensive. If I remember correctly, the asking price was around $675.

twofiftyR: By doing it right, I mean not jamming it all the way to the stop when kicking, to avoid putting undue stress on the kickstarter. If your kickstarter breaks without ever doing this, then there is a problem with Kawi kickstarters that I've never heard of or encountered.

 

Brian and NEMISIS, I have posted your pics so if you want to check them out just click here. Also, feel free to sign my guestbook and let me know you were there. Thanks