Todays question to the experts?

[kristian1ify]

XR 400 Kick start - My kick start does not stay in position and as such needs to be cable tied in place when riding.

Do I need to replace the kick start?

[Lutin]

You probably have a broken kickstart return spring. Should not be an overly complicated job, but he side cover of the engine will have to off - I think.

[AIRWOLF]

XR 400 Kick start - My kick start does not stay in position and as such needs to be cable tied in place when riding.

Do I need to replace the kick start?

If it's just swinging outward's, . . . generally, in the knuckle joint there is a spring loaded ball bearing that hold's it in place, . . if so you may be able to strip and service it.

If it's rotating, . . . take side cover off and check return spring.

edit.
Oooop's, . . . . just read thread title, . . . . better take no notice of me then.

[kristian1ify]

The kick start fuctions fine and returns to top position, but when rotated out to kick, it is flappy and if rotated back after starting it must be held in place with a tie so as not to flap around. So I think it must be the grub screw area between the splines and the rotation point.

Hope that's explained clearer. More than likley just made it more confusing. lol

[AIRWOLF]

Yes, . . in that case, . . first line of my last post.

[kristian1ify]

stripped the knuckle joint one screw and nothing else in there.

[AIRWOLF]

sound's like the spring and ball are a.w.o.l.

fairly common problem.

[taggkent]

what year is your bike?
They changed the kickstart as one of the updates on the newer bikes and that fixed this problem.

My 250 kickstart used to occaionaly come out when i was leg out over a bumpy right hander, which is not good at all.

I did an ingenious mod to fix it (even if i do say so myself) will upload a pic later if you like, but basicly i glued some velcro strips to the frame so i can strap kickstart to the frame once ive started it

Works a treat

[kristian1ify]

All fixed now thanks to the comments above