Kickstart

[meerkat]

Hi everyone,
A problem I have with my rarely used (500 miles last year) CB400/2 is that the kickstart stays down when it's operated.
By 'jiggling' it about a bit it can be pulled back up into position by hand, but it feels a bit rough as if something is broken in the casing.
I've never had cause to use the kickstart and the fault was only found a long time after an MoT where the bike was left for a few days.

What can I expect to find when I eventually start to sort it out and how much of a job will it be ?

[Bryanj]

Kickstart return spring broken or incorrectly fitted is first guess and that is clutch cover and possibly clutch off job. If it is any other problem its an engine out bottom crankcase off job

[meerkat]

Kickstart return spring broken or incorrectly fitted is first guess and that is clutch cover and possibly clutch off job. If it is any other problem its an engine out bottom crankcase off job

Many thanks Bryanj for a rapid response.
I'll have a look at it as soon as I can get some heat into my garage which is colder than our refrigerator at present. 

[steven400/4]

if you need any bits i,m sore i,ll have them in one of my boxes just let me know mate

[meerkat]

if you need any bits i,m sore i,ll have them in one of my boxes just let me know mate

Thanks Steve you're a gent.

[sweetpeauk]

I don't think is a clutch out job even,

[meerkat]

Here's an update -
Having not used the bike for 6 months, I eventually plucked up courage to start the spanner work after I got stranded out on a run with a 'flat' battery. I took the clutch cover off and pulled the kick start shaft out expecting to find something wrong.
Nothing, the shaft, spring and other bits are all OK, so whether the spring had become unhooked I'm not sure. I was able to pull the spring straight off the shaft without first unhooking the tangs.
I'll finish the re-assembly today and report back.

[Bryanj]

There should be some tension on the spring (from memory) so either something slipped or it wasn't correctly fitted before

[meerkat]

I found the problem today in strong sunlight! The kick start shaft is badly worn on the splines as well as the kick start 'knuckle' joint. Looks like another bodge by the 'restorer'.

I'll bet he wore a blue and white striped apron just like our butcher, when was working on the bike.
More of my pension and the children's inheritance going to DSS soon.

[steven400/4]

bet i have the bits if you put pic of what you need

[meerkat]

Hi Steven,
The shaft splines are badly worn in one area.
Part No. 187 in this link - http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb400f-england_model14639/partslist/E01-3.html#results
As well as the knuckle of the kick start shown in the pics below.

[steven400/4]

i have shaft well i think i have and i know i have the knuckle but i,m away till saturday

[meerkat]

Hi Steven,
Many thanks for your quick reply.
The bike's not going anywhere soon so I'll look forward to another message when you return.
Best regards.

[steven400/4]

ok no problem

[steven400/4]

i have your kick start lever and shaft matey