Has anyone done this, converted 850 from kick to electric start?

Kits?

work involved?

Hi again Norty,
The Kenny Dreer Nortons were electric start conversions. Althought, I do not know if they were ever offered in kit form from his old vintage rebuilds website.
Basically they were setup like a Harley. The starter gear/drive engaged a ring gear on the outside of the clutch basket. Which of course means starter, clutch basket, inner primary are all of special design, the only other thing needed would be a starter relay.
Short of finding a Dreer Norton in a boneyard (highly unlikely),
or making some sort of MKIII mongrul, I dont know of any cheap or easy solution.
justa thought,
G.B.

G.B.

Someone on the south shore of boston "was" doing a clone of the VR dreer type estart. It was $3500. I think they were one offs or limited production and is NLA.

$3500.00 !!!! Ouchey!!!!!!!!!

Mike

I too would be interested in finding a kickstart to electric start conversion. I have a 1973 750 roadster and would love to add electric start.

I'd be interested too, I've been told it wouldn't be easy to convert an early model 850 interstate to electric start, but I'm not sure it would be impossible. I need to find a solution to the ankle breaking kick back, have already added boyer ignition and makuni carb. Great bike but it's put me on the floor twice now. Don't have the same problem with the 750.

Check with Old Britts. They were working on a conversion, but I think it was going to be pretty expensive.

As you probably know, the MkIII 'electric assist' was a pretty lousy electric starter. However, my MkII is a pretty easy kick (Boyer ignition, stock carbs) so long as it is just past TDC and you don;t pussy-foot around. Starts 2nd kick when been sitting for a week or so, and first kick when started daily. Certainly a whole lot easier than my SR500 Yamaha, and MUCH easier than my old high comp XR600, which can kick back like a cranky mule.

And anyway, tickling the carbs and giving it a good kick is part of the joy of owning such a bike (and yes, I am no spring chicken - 54).

So, I guess I am wondering why anyone would bother with an electric start?

>Has anyone done this, converted 850 from kick to electric
>start?
>
>Kits?
>
>work involved?

I too, would consider buying a kick start for my 1973 750, Commando.

-1973 Commando 750