Model 50 kick-start

Previously John Shorter wrote:

A friend has a early 60's model 50, which has just been restored (157 km on the clock, after a run out yesterday). Sounds good, no oil leaks, but the kick-start slips on the splines, no matter how much the clamp bolt is tightened. I know nothing about this model, but, it has been fitted with a folding lever, is this correct? We are wondering if it is a Commando item, and possibly of a fractionally larger diameter. Any ideas?

hi re kickstart, this is common, i am afraid it is a new kickstart needed. or drill a hole through the top of the kickstart spline and glancing the shaft, then pin it, similar to a bicycle cotter pin.make sure kickstart is in correct suitable position first, john thomason

The Commando kickstart shafts are identical with the earlier AMC boxes (the factory production racers used a modified Atlas lever).

I'd be inclined to suspect a poor quality aftermarket kickstart or otherwise damage to the splines on the shaft but that should be clearly visible.

The Commando kickstart will fit but looks a bit odd. Better to get a replacement original type one from Andover Norton or one of the better suppliers. You may have to have a folding kickstart rather than a solid one - no great hardship.

I can turn my Model 50 over by hand, so this would be the last machine to expect slip on the splines. The AMC kick start shaft end is hardened and unless damaged should not be the problem. I suspect the Lever .(crank) Folding ones were not original but work and fitjust the same. I would try another but don't use a stainless setscrew to tighten it to the shaft as these will snap if you need to tighten it up lots.

Back in 1975, the kick start splines on my 1955 19S combination gave up completely. I was given directions to a metal working yard before being push started down a hill. The kick start crank lever was welded to the shaft for about £1.00 and that fixed that. Happy days..........