Kick Starting

I do it that way so cannot confirm its wrong as I have had no issues in 30 years, but I do have an 74 850 with the bushes inserted in the engine plates instead of direct but the mod is easy to do as I did for my 750 72.

Previously roger_jordan wrote:

I seem to remember advice on here saying it was not a good idea to kickstart a Commando whilst on the centre stand, though a search didn't find it. Can anyone confirm that this is not good practice?

The early Commando stand was of weak design, the latter ones are stronger with the mounting brackets triangulated with the cross tube.

If you look on Andover Norton site you can see the different designs.

Been kick starting both my Mk 1a and Mk 3 850's while on their centre stands for the past three decades without problem - both centre stands still as robust as ever.

Previously roger_jordan wrote:

I seem to remember advice on here saying it was not a good idea to kickstart a Commando whilst on the centre stand, though a search didn't find it. Can anyone confirm that this is not good practice?

Is the issue whether you are sitting on the bike when kick starting it or standing beside it? If sitting on it I can see that could impact the stand, depending on how heavy you are...

I did seem to remember something about an issue with the Isolastics if started on the stand.

This is probably more to do with storing the bike on the center stand giving a set to the rubbers, can't see how just starting on the center stand would affect the rubbers as mine is on the center stand all the time and the rubbers are fine so even that is not certain.

I stand aside to start as I have short legs and the seat is wide, then sit on the bike once its started and rock the bike forward off the stand being lazy, been doing that for 30 years with no issues.

My first start of the day with cold oil is always alongside on the mainstand. I've never noticed any damage to the pivots. I have had stands crack around the spring mounting hole but this seems more like fatigue associated with the hardened spring enlarging the hole.

I once watched a chap start a Commando standing on the footrests with the bike resting on the side-stand. The pivot bolt sheared with a crack like a rifle shot and he went arse-over-tit with it.

I don't think that using the side-stand in this way is a good idea.

Over 50 years ago I was told it was very bad practice to start any bike on its stand so I don't.

I would say that any way is acceptable (except the side-stand starting mentioned by Richard - above - I've also witnessed this before and it made me cringe, waiting for something to break) if it means you can at least ride the bike, we're all not getting any younger - just go for it and do what's best for you ... .