Fitting GP kickstart piston - have i done it right?

[alanscottj]

Is there a procedure that you must follow when replacing the piston on the kickstart shaft? I can't understand why mine is still not engaging when I kick it over. I am wondering if I have not done something I should have when I replaced the piston. Any thoughts?

[Trojan]

Hi mate, when the piston was replaced and the stud tightened back up, was there free movement ( up and down ) on the shaft, I had similar problem and turned out it was sticking in the shaft......if its an LI type endplate check the guide plate on the chaincasing also........

[alanscottj]

Hi mate, when the piston was replaced and the stud tightened back up, was there free movement ( up and down ) on the shaft, I had similar problem and turned out it was sticking in the shaft......if its an LI type endplate check the guide plate on the chaincasing also........

When I replaced it, the piston was moving in and out nicely, when I pushed it in with my finger, then I put the casing back on and it started playing up again. Now, when the kickstart slips, when I push it down with my foot slowly, I can hear a click as it obviously tries to engage each tooth on the first gear and then eventually it will engage and I get pressure and am able to kick the engine. I am thinking that it 'must' be sticking because if it were anything else, for example if it weren't coming out far enough, then it would do it all the time.

[lambro]

Is there a procedure that you must follow when replacing the piston on the kickstart shaft? I can't understand why mine is still not engaging when I kick it over. I am wondering if I have not done something I should have when I replaced the piston. Any thoughts?

Sold and fitted a 'J' range Kickstart piston by mistake???
I did it once

[Trojan]

Is the stud that screws into the piston OK , looking for any highspots or wear may be the cause on the piston travel not engaging fully, what endplate is it LI or GP/SX type with the heel as this may show any wear ...hope this helps.....

[kevspeed]

Similar problem a while back,i cured it by elongating the slot where the locating pin slides up and down!

[Mag]

When I fitted my 5 speed the teeth on the piston were engaging all the time. I thought I was going to have to get into major surgery but I found another piston ant the hole for the pin was further down so pulled the piston back a little further and that one works fine. Seems like there are variations even in this simple component.

[dapper]

Did you change the reference pin as well? These can wear fairly quickly and the ramp scores a deep groove in them, affecting where the kick start plunger engages with first gear.

[alanscottj]

Did you change the reference pin as well? These can wear fairly quickly and the ramp scores a deep groove in them, affecting where the kick start plunger engages with first gear.

Yes, changed the pin too!

[alanscottj]

Similar problem a while back,i cured it by elongating the slot where the locating pin slides up and down!

I might have a go at this, how much longer did you make the slot?