kick starter won't grab

remington0404 · Post by **remington0404** » 09:21 pm Feb 12 2007

hi, i just bought a 98 kdx 200 today, and i'm having a problem with the kickstarter not grabbing,( i bought it knowing it did this). the bike has plenty of compression, and when the kickstarter does grab the bike fires right up .... i just have to sit there and try like 20 times for what i'm assuming is some kind of clutch mechanism to grab. my question is how hard is this to fix?? is this normal?? thanks guys in advance for any help or ideas

skipro3 · Post by **skipro3** » 09:39 pm Feb 12 2007

It's pretty easy to do. Since it's a new bike to you, start by draining the oil. Then pull the clutch cover off. Then pull your clutch off. Then pull the water pump assembly off. Then pull the side cover off.

Did I say it was easy? oops!

Let's start over. Get the shop service manual. It will explain it for you and provide diagrams. While waiting for the manual, check http://www.buykawasaki.com and check the diagrams for the KDX there for at least the exploded view of the assembly. Order a good torque wrench if you don't have one yet so you get things put back together right. Use your digital camera to take lots of photos as you take it apart. That really helps with the re-assembly.

WELCOME TO KDXRIDER.NET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

m0rie · Post by **m0rie** » 09:50 pm Feb 12 2007

Welcome!

Like ski says the manual outlines the procedure pretty well. Pretty much everything on the clutch side needs to come off to check the kickstarter mechanism. Having an impact gun help with removing the main clutch nut on the hub.

KDXer · Post by **KDXer** » 12:21 am Feb 13 2007

I'D BE CHECKING THE LARGE GEAR AND SPRING PICTURED ABOVE. (excuse the CAPS)

Welcome aboard !!!

skipro3 · Post by **skipro3** » 01:06 am Feb 13 2007

Trev,
Did you do the monogram on the carb?

Post by **Rick** » 01:18 am Feb 13 2007

HMMmmmmmmmmm. Im guessing it stands for Re Built Date?

skipro3 · Post by **skipro3** » 01:38 am Feb 13 2007

Rick wrote:HMMmmmmmmmmm. Im guessing it stands for Re Built Date?

Ron will like that!

Post by **Rick** » 01:41 am Feb 13 2007

Yeah I Bet!

KDXer · Post by **KDXer** » 03:52 am Feb 13 2007

skipro3 wrote:Trev,
Did you do the monogram on the carb?

Yeah, twas me, boredom is why.

remington0404 · Post by **remington0404** » 11:16 am Feb 13 2007

hey thanks alot for those pics... it really gave me a good idea in what i'll be dealing with.... i'm hoping its just a worn out spring that isn't engaging the gear properly ( assuming i'm understanding how it all works)