How do you remove the kick start arm from a '76 Wing

[TMF]

I'm rehabbing a '76 and was using the manual kickstart lever to rotate the engine for belts, points, etc. The question is how do you remove that lever? Mine is either stuck or I don't know the trick to releasing it.

 

[TMF]

Followup - lever came out with some fiddling.

 

[pidjones]

Yes, just held by a spring loaded ball detente. Sometimes requires a solid jerk. Eventually you learn that a socket and ratchet on the alternator bolt are a lot easier.

 

[McTrucky]

I don't have kickstart lever; what is the best way to crank the engine (assuming no starter motor) when working on things?

 

[mcgovern61]

On the back of the engine (left side), take the cover bolt out of the stator and you can put a socket in there and turn the engine from the stator bolt.

 

[McTrucky]

On the back of the engine (left side), take the cover bolt out of the stator and you can put a socket in there and turn the engine from the stator bolt.

I presume you turn this clockwise? Does that turn the engine the right way?

 

[Donniebnd]

I presume you turn this clockwise? Does that turn the engine the right way?

Yes, clockwise because counter clockwise will loosen the bolt. Also it has to remove the spark plugs.

 

[pidjones]

Beware that the cap over the alternator bolt is often over-tightened, and can be a real bear to get off if it was. Chisel, vice grips, etc have been used as last resort. The good news is that they are common, cheap, readily available as they are the same caps used on the rear end grease fill and many Honda valve adjustment caps. They use an o-ring to seal, so no need to tighten beyond hand tight.

 

[McTrucky]

Beware that the cap over the alternator bolt is often over-tightened, and can be a real bear to get off if it was. Chisel, vice grips, etc have been used as last resort. The good news is that they are common, cheap, readily available as they are the same caps used on the rear end grease fill and many Honda valve adjustment caps. They use an o-ring to seal, so no need to tighten beyond hand tight.

I had a look at mine. Looks like someone has been there with a set of vice grips and a lump hammer already. I didn't even attempt to loosen it. Will have a go at the weekend. In the meantime will try to get a new one.