Kickstarter not engaging

[jeba6208]

Sometimes when trying to start my 93 kdx200, when I kick the kickstarter, it doesn't engage at all, but just easily goes through the motion with no resistance at all....I would say this happens about every 6 or 7th kick....just started doing this...
Anybody ever has this problem or know where to start?
Thanks for the help....Greg

 

[ridejunky]

The spring that puts pressure on the ratchet gear is probably really weak
or broken. If you lean your bike to your left and then kick will it engage? If so this is a easy inexpensive fix.

 

[jeba6208]

Actually I posted this for a friend's KDX.....If it is the spring, could a non-mechanic replace it easily?? (i.e...take off the right side cover and maybe deal with a few bolts??)

 

[ridejunky]

Yeah it's pretty cut and dry. Take off the right engine cover to expose. If you have a manual it's in section 5-18. The ratchet gear is inside the kick return spring, I would replace the circlip with a new one as well as the spring behind it.

 

[jason33]

its easy- you can use bike bandit- or a kawasaki dealers microfiche to see how it goes together