Adding a kick starter to a SD900

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pilotg
Diana
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Adding a kick starter to a SD900

Post by pilotg »

Does anyone know if it's possible to retrofit a kick starter to an electric start SD900?

Has anyone tried and failed, or even better, succeeded?!

I'm new to this Ducati malarky but keen to restore a 1981 Darmah.

Any advice most welcome.

Thanks
1981 SD900 Resto project
Jon Pegler
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Post by Jon Pegler »

It is possible top retro fit a kickstart to a later Darmah, but you have to source the parts and then split the cases to fit the parts.
You will also have to modify the right hand case to fit the kickstart spindle.
Not a quick fix unless you are reasonably skilled/ really want one.
You could always buy an early Darmah with a kickstart as standard.

Jon
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Osred
Diana
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Kickstarter

Post by Osred »

For what it is worth, I think the stock kick lever for the Darmah sucks because of the relatively short kick cycle/range.

The supersport style kick lever has a much broader cycle, but is becoming scarce and expensive. When you do find one, you have to consider the quality, as well. I believe some of the SS levers were recalled because of bad casts and subsequent failures. I purchased one from Germany and it is fractured in several points at the pivot, rendering it useless (even after some welding/machining).

The bottom line is that if you don't have an Darmah/SD900 engine already set up for a kickstarter, it will be a pain-in-the-donkey to retrofit one.
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Osred
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Re: Kickstarter

Post by Osred »

Osred wrote:...it will be a pain-in-the-donkey to retrofit one.
Donkey? Really, Steve? :doh:
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Post by BevHevSteve »

This is a "G" rated site :oops:
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Osred
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"G" Rated Forum

Post by Osred »

With all the Ducati porn on this site, I reckon it is XXX. `-*
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