81 Shovelhead kick arm

[FXSGARY]

I still have the very, very dangerous stock kick arm on my 81 Shovelhead the swivels out at the bottom and want to change it. After slamming all 200 lbs of by body on my right leg when my foot twisted off the pedal last November I have been reluctant to kick start it. The pain is finally gone, but I think I still need to change to something different. Can anyone suggest a replacement kick arm?


Thanks,
Gary

[springer-]

I also have a 81 Shovel (FXS also) with a stock kick arm. Personally, I searched high and low to find a NOS stock replacement because I never liked any of the aftermarket arms I tried. At the time I ran an aftermarket shop and got to try them all out.

The stock kick arm has a ball stop that locks it into place. The back side stop for the ball wears out and the kick arm starts to sag down lower and angles your foot causing the problem you described. Red arrow in pic points to where you should find the worn spot.

The problem with most of the aftermarket ones is they don't fold in and can be in the way of your leg. The stock one tucks in nicely. You can buy stock style aftermarket ones that are a little differant and still fold in.

[newultraclassic]

Originally Posted by FXSGARY

I still have the very, very dangerous stock kick arm on my 81 Shovelhead the swivels out at the bottom and want to change it. After slamming all 200 lbs of by body on my right leg when my foot twisted off the pedal last November I have been reluctant to kick start it. The pain is finally gone, but I think I still need to change to something different. Can anyone suggest a replacement kick arm?


Thanks,
Gary

I have the heavy duty, non-folding "I" Beam Kicker. They are available in all of the catalogs. They are very solid and don't fold. You need the early style kick shaft for the tranny that has the groove all around the shaft since this bolts on the bottom. They are a little longer but it will solve your problem. You can also get other lighter solid ones. This one is in the J&P catalog, their number 6200225, $35.95.

Those folding ones will get you sooner or later. They can break bones if the engine kicks back at the wrong time.