I need some help with an old 1976 KE125 I am working on with my daughter. I just bought it as a project. It appears that the kick starter is froze. The guy I bought it from says it ran fine, then they tried to kick it and the kick starter "jammed". The clutch is also now not working. When you pull the lever its just kind of dead. Not like a broken cable, but like its stuck engaged. Hard to explain. When you try and kick it the kick lever returns to its normal position, but only goes down a few inches. It feels more like the motor is froze not just a problem with the kick starter. How can I tell if its froze up at the cylinder or if its a kick starter problem? I do not want to have to tear apart the kick mechanisim if its a seized cylinder. You can actually shift it in and out of gear.
I just want to figure out if its the cylinder or the kick starter. Any idea's?
Thanks, Jeff

 

Welcome to KF.

A froze motor will not show compression when you put your finger over the plug hole right? or your gauge if you use one for your other rides. A busted rod will move with the kickstart and then jam up because of the piston being stuck at a certain distance in the cylinder. I know, not happy thoughts. Could be something else entirely of course.

edit: I have the 250 manual to try and help out on your 125 if needed. Good luck

 

Well I found the problem. Its teeth broken off the kick idle gear. At least I think thats the name of the gear. The microfiche on BikeBandit is so poorly copied, I cannot read the numbers. Does anyone know anywhere else I can find microfiche for a 1976 KE125?
Jeff

 

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