Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: csbdr on July 27, 2010, 02:10:59 am

Title: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: csbdr on July 27, 2010, 02:10:59 am
Had a good example of why this is needed.  Came out from work tonight and the estart inexplicably decided to not work.  Everything checked out except that.  Ended up bump starting the bike, but would have been alot easier with a kicker.

Got home, jiggled some wires, and it fixed itself, but I hope the engineers are listening...
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: Sub on July 27, 2010, 03:38:27 am
My starter button likes to get stuck down, maybe check the switch area.

I would like the kick start too, not because its really necessary, but it would be really cool to have a kick start bike - not to many of them around these days, and it would be cool to retain that retro feel of the C5. I dont know what the inside looks like on the UCE, but maybe there will be a kit one day?! :)
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: qgolden on July 27, 2010, 12:38:51 pm
I would purchase a kicker conversion kit in a heartbeat!   They did some great things with with retro design of the C5.  I think they should have put a kicker on the US Models, I also think it should have come out with a 7 inch headlight and a little more scoop to the seat pan.  I can change out the Headlight and the seat pan in time.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: Kruiser on July 27, 2010, 01:49:44 pm
Yep, that's what I'm waiting on.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: holodeck on July 27, 2010, 07:02:57 pm
I was told by a highly respected dealer that changing to a kick on the C-5 would require a major engine rebuild.

I'm  still waiting for a answer to why they didn't do it in the first place. ( one that makes sense )
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: gashousegorilla on July 27, 2010, 07:58:42 pm
yea, agreed a kick starter is needed. I think a 7" headlight would be cool, but I don't think there dot approved.redesigned seat would be cool. 19" wheel, redesigned swing arm, etc. etc. I guess it all comes down to priority's and money. I think RE, before they put out the next years model, A survey taken, and people suggest in what priority they want any given feature. Then RE could try to fit into their budget, per bike, What is doable.Maybe a G-5 motor fits in a C-5 frame with some small adjustments at the factory Jig? Then no need for internal motor work. Whats the difference in cost between a 18" wheel and a 19" wheel? Pretty negligible I would think, per bike that is. spread out over 5000 bikes, it makes a big difference. A cost like that, passed on to each customer, per bike, is no big deal.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: john hut on July 27, 2010, 10:15:18 pm
I have the 2009 G5 and had problems with the starter solenoid,
it was about two months before I got it fixed.
I was quite happy kicking over.two kicks cold, one kick warm,
I,m sure I would have had problems bump starting,
    I would have thought it  was important to fit one on the C5 during manufacture
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: Ice on July 28, 2010, 12:50:01 am
 Allegedly R.E. purposely omitted the K/S from the C5 as a statement about the UCE's REliabillity.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: qgolden on July 28, 2010, 01:24:25 am
Yah, I read that somewheres about omitting it intentionally.  I guess in India the lack of the kicker says quality to the folks who live there.  But here in the States there is quite a push to retro vehicles.  Ford and Chevy have been capitalizing on it since Chrysler come out with eh PT Cruiser a few years back.  I think they could enhance its Retro value with the kicker, at least here.  There are other differences just for the US Market so why not a kicker.  Hopefully they are listening 'cause we are buying...
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: holodeck on July 28, 2010, 05:12:51 am
All RE sold in India , G-5 and C-5 have kick starts.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: qgolden on July 29, 2010, 12:27:32 am
gashousegorilla
The 7 inch headlight should be DOT.  If not it could be made so.   My '68 Chevy P/U uses a 7 inch sealed beam, certainly DOT. 

holdeck
If the C5's in India have kickers then we should be able to order parts, no?   A new Cover and a gear?
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: holodeck on July 29, 2010, 08:45:56 am
Ogolden,

No, my local dealer here in Washington state said that it would require  a major rebuild to do the job ie, lots of different gears.

I tried to e-mail  RE in India a while back and got a  big run around. .

Having been in manufacturing back in the day here is what I think ( and this is MO only ). A lot of parts have to be subed out, so contracts are made for X number of parts for so many mouths or years. The subs must be paid no matter what. If you make a mistake you don't throw the parts out . The boss comes in and says use em up.

If you are waiting for a US C-5 with a kick I think you will be waiting a long time.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: neobrit on August 25, 2010, 10:52:12 pm
+1 to RE, on the kickstart C5. I understand the whole thing about keeping manufacturing simple, however if the G5 gets the kickstart this should be very easily solved for the C5. I hope RE is paying attention to it's US customer wants, I want to see a deluxe version C5 too!
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on August 25, 2010, 11:57:55 pm
But here in the States there is quite a push to retro vehicles.  Ford and Chevy have been capitalizing on it since Chrysler come out with eh PT Cruiser a few years back.

Fords and Chevys are coming with kick starters?  :D
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: 1 Thump on August 26, 2010, 01:18:36 am
check out www.royalenfields.com

It shows two RE C5's with kick start listed for sale in Torronto.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: prof_stack on August 26, 2010, 02:43:09 am
check out www.royalenfields.com

It shows two RE C5's with kick start listed for sale in Torronto.

They came from the Indian market, where the kick-starters are original equipment.  Good luck getting them licensed in the USA!
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: shappers on August 26, 2010, 06:44:26 pm
Hi y,all,

I don't think the Indian have the O2 sensor so may not pass emissions.

Cheers, Shappers.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: 3rdgear on August 27, 2010, 02:32:37 pm
2010 G5 Deluxe comes with a kick start in the US. It the same motor I believe.  Seems that parts would be available to add to a C5.  Correct me if I am wrong.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: holodeck on August 27, 2010, 06:10:21 pm
I was told by a dealer that to put a kick on the C-5 woukd envolve "  a major engine overhaul ". I  tried to get an answer from the factory in India and got a long run around. I wish Kevin would weigh in and get this very long running question answered for good.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on September 01, 2010, 06:02:09 am
G5 Deluxe and regular model both have a kick start in the US.  It's the same motor but the side covers are a different style.  C5 gets the wing 'RE' emblems, G5 gets 'Royal Enfield' embossed covers.  You could probably swap the right side cover from a G5 to a C5 but you'd probably need a lot of little parts inside to do it and some major disassembly/reassembly to get it in place.

Scott
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: csbdr on September 01, 2010, 08:47:57 pm
Well I gotta say that a malfunctioning starter/clutch cutoff circuit has just fried some wiring for me and disabled the bike.  It's now in the shop. So much for the e-start reliability argument.   ::)  >:(

I want the message to get throught to India that they STILL do not have Jap-bike reliability, and need the darned kicker in the bike. That argument is a total fantasy.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: louis 911 on September 01, 2010, 09:26:25 pm
the kick starter is good on the G5
 (http://upimages.free.fr/10/243/59245.jpg) (http://upimages.free.fr/show.php?image=10/243/59245.jpg)
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: clubman on September 01, 2010, 11:29:44 pm
Well I gotta say that a malfunctioning starter/clutch cutoff circuit has just fried some wiring for me and disabled the bike.  It's now in the shop. So much for the e-start reliability argument.   ::)  >:(

I want the message to get throught to India that they STILL do not have Jap-bike reliability, and need the darned kicker in the bike. That argument is a total fantasy.

100% agree. I've just got my G5 back with a new sprag clutch fitted and the electric starter is, (of course),  working fine again. In the event it was only 10 days not working thanks to a no quibble attitude on the warranty and my brilliant dealer but I wasn't off the road because the G5 has a kick start. Sprag clutch failure does seem to be rare on the EFI but I've read posts where other things went wrong - solenoid typically and your particular reason is disturbing. No, electric starting is not as reliable as it should be and it needs a kick start.
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: csbdr on September 02, 2010, 03:16:56 am
Yup.  I don't have the final verdict, but the cutoff switch has been malfunctioning and requiring some manipulation of the clutch lever to get the bike started.  I had parked the bike at a HD/Triumph/RE dealer to test a Bonny.  This time when I went to start it it wouldn't turn over,heard a good bit of clicking and weak attempt to turn the starter motor, then *poof*...cloud of smoke and melted wires. We'll see. Melted the positive side.  Not sure if some chafed wiring also involved, but I don't think so.  I just had the battery pulled last week (to sort out a different reason why it wouldn't start...loose connection to ignition switch) and everything looked fine.

Reliable estart my assa....
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: GreenMachine on September 02, 2010, 01:57:18 pm
I been following this website since 2006. Have a 2006 iron with 8k on the clock and for the most part use the kickstart. The electric start does work and I check it occasionaly to make sure. I do know that it seems to prefer a fully charge battery and has a mine of it owns re. whether it kicks in or not. I never did take a liking to the sound it generates as it sounds awful anyway vice just kick starting the bike in 2-3 kicks.  I am also wondering how the c5 is gonna hold up with just electric start. Some people here have reported that its been great.  Guess we will find out over the next couple of years on the worthiness of the electric start c5's. cheers
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: csbdr on September 02, 2010, 05:37:32 pm
Mine had been great, until it wasn't.....
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: meilaushi on September 18, 2010, 10:53:35 pm
I have the 2009 G5 and had problems with the starter solenoid,
it was about two months before I got it fixed.
I was quite happy kicking over.two kicks cold, one kick warm,
I,m sure I would have had problems bump starting,
    I would have thought it  was important to fit one on the C5 during manufacture

Eggzackly why I waited a coupla months just to get the G-5 of my dreams!  Most kicks I ever did was 3 to start it, and that wuz because I forgot to put up the sidestand, and they won't letcha start it with it down. :P
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: 2bikebill on September 19, 2010, 08:30:37 am
Kickstart isn't necessarily a foolproof backup when sprag failure rules out electric starting. My G5 sprag failed this week as some of you know, but this left the elec starter gears meshed somehow so that kick starting isn't an option. The kickstart now engages both the engine and the starter motor - sounds horrible, feels strange, wont start.
They're coming in the morning to take the bike to the workshop under warranty.
Glorious riding weather down here......  :( :( :(
Title: Re: C5 Kick starter please!
Post by: SSR on September 22, 2010, 05:53:40 pm
Will, ask you dealer if the new sprag bearing is my Tsubaki then you have the updated one:)