Electric start

Hi Roger,

Anything is possible and I believe some have done it but there is no 'kit' to do it. I am told there are too many variations for it to be worthwhile for a manufacturer to make a batch.

I am sure you are aware there are a number of kits for Commando's

There may be versions of the Dominator that are easier to kick than others, I am sure someone will chime in with sugestions.

Regards

Tony

Which side knee ???

Can you not try the side opposite the bad leg?

Mike

Hi Roger

A 500cc Dominator is relatively easy to kick start, being of low compression. However, I have a 600 cc Dominator too, and this one came with 10.5 to 1 pistons. This was a challenge to start, but  the job was made easier by obtaining a longer kick start lever from RGM. The cost at the time (about three years ago,) was around £100. It proved to be a worthwhile purchase, The only disadvantage is that when it 'springs back' it catches the bottom edge of the oil tank, This was remedied by gluing a small piece of rubber to the tank at at the impact point.

Harry

hello all Nocs  Now I had a look at this before now and it's all about getting the right starter motor and getting one small and powerful enough to do the job  then there is the next question where to put it for me the underside of the bike in-between engine and gearbox  and as close to the clutch as you can then by using a gear ring from an H-D Sportster   witch bolts to the back of the clutch basket  and then fit up your per-engage starter motor in low down so it then engages with the clutch gear ring  then fitting up some electrics  like a key start in the battery box  then all that's needed is left hand down switch on key and start   and this set up will be ok with a magneto ignition  just wire the mag kill wires to the ignition switch   the biggest job will sorting some rear engine plates out,  but it can be done if the will is strong,  but for me, I both my knees are bad and painful but will not give in to that kick starter  its good exercise    I can still start my Norton Manxman 650  she is easy to start and my 1954 dominator is too one sniff at that jungel duce and there off running like sowing machnies 

yours  anna j   

A lot of us will have time on our hands for a project. It's a good question. I wonder if anyone has designed one? As I understand it, most bike starters use a sprag clutch arrangement (is that true?) and they can be the weak link. Or even...how small can effective starting rollers be made? There are some very high charge density lightweight emergency engine start batteries around today  and super magnets. Then it becomes a question of lots of cash as well as lots of machining.

I can imagine removing the kick start lever and its sprag. Then fit a modern high power cordless drill with socket, and a reaction lever to the ground so it won't break your wrist. Pull the trigger (anticlockwise of course) and spin...scary?

Roger

Triumph eventually cracked this with a timing side solution and a sprag bearing (I assume), though their late 70s prototypes failed. 

A 1.4kW Nippon Denso Sportster starter in its normal form is a brutal thing, which will have the teeth  off an idler gear, as soon as look at it - when the lash is taken up.

A lot of new electronics is involved to make it workable, different firmware is needed for an 88 and a 650SS obviously.

A local collaborator would be great, if you are anywhere near NW London.

Steve

I have done this a while ago for my Commando F/bed. Harley 1.4kw starter £35 off eBay. Made two ring gears that just fit inside Commando chain case. Slightly smaller than Harley gear. Belt drive. Worked a treat. I did a little article in RH with pictures at the time

Roger, your own Q was answered in 2020, just after the first house arrest. (3 weeks to flatten the curve - now week 100) 

One answer was to use the timing side.

Please see the last two comments pasted below & good luck.

PS: Why not fit isolastics at the same time, making it a featherlastic...It has been done.

Triumph eventually cracked this with a timing side solution and a sprag bearing (I assume), though their late 70s prototypes failed. 

A 1.4kW Nippon Denso Sportster starter in its normal form is a brutal thing, which will have the teeth  off an idler gear, as soon as look at it - when the lash is taken up.

A lot of new electronics is involved to make it workable, different firmware is needed for an 88 and a 650SS obviously.

A local collaborator would be great, if you are anywhere near NW London.

Steve

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Submitted by Tony Harris on Tue, 19/05/2020

Its been done

I have done this a while ago for my Commando F/bed. Harley 1.4kw starter £35 off eBay. Made two ring gears that just fit inside Commando chain case. Slightly smaller than Harley gear. Belt drive. Worked a treat. I did a little article in RH with pictures at the time