Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/Electric-Start-Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
I've ridden his bike, and when it's in a mood to start, it does easily enough, but when it decides to be recalcitant, it's no good. Carb
has been gone through with a fine tooth comb and plug and H/T wire
and cap are new.
Also under consideration is complete replacement of the ignition and
charging system with a modern aftermarket system from some German firm,
which I think would be the first thing I would try before splashing
out $3k on the electric start jobby.
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/Electric-Start-Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
I've ridden his bike, and when it's in a mood to start, it does easily enough, but when it decides to be recalcitant, it's no good. Carb
has been gone through with a fine tooth comb and plug and H/T wire
and cap are new.
Also under consideration is complete replacement of the ignition and
charging system with a modern aftermarket system from some German firm,
which I think would be the first thing I would try before splashing
out $3k on the electric start jobby.
On 15/04/2026 16:46, Mark Olson wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/Electric-Start-Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
I gather those things can be poor starters. Rollers are a lot cheaper as long as you don't stall it anywhere. Personally I'd probably buy a
different bike than spend that amount.
On 15/04/2026 16:46, Mark Olson wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
The updated ignition route can be transformative on SOBs. Morinis being
a case in point.
On 15/04/2026 16:46, Mark Olson wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/ Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/ Electric-Start-Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
I've ridden his bike, and when it's in a mood to start, it does easily enough, but when it decides to be recalcitant, it's no good. Carb
has been gone through with a fine tooth comb and plug and H/T wire
and cap are new.
Also under consideration is complete replacement of the ignition and charging system with a modern aftermarket system from some German firm, which I think would be the first thing I would try before splashing
out $3k on the electric start jobby.
I gather those things can be poor starters. Rollers are a lot cheaper as
long as you don't stall it anywhere. Personally I'd probably buy a
different bike than spend that amount.
--
/Simon
I looked at the electric start kit for my restored T140V.
I have a really bad right hip and prodding it to life can be painful. Fortunately, she start on second kicj normally when cold and given a good little
tickle behind the ears.
As far as ES kit went, I closed the site and am trying to forget about the near
heart attack I had just looking!
Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
On 15/04/2026 16:46, Mark Olson wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/Electric-Start-Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
[snip]
I gather those things can be poor starters. Rollers are a lot cheaper as
long as you don't stall it anywhere. Personally I'd probably buy a
different bike than spend that amount.
Me too, but he has owned this one almost from new, if I'm not mistaken
it's only the 3rd bike he's owned and he has a strong sentimental
attachment to it. Plus he can afford to indulge himself, so ...
On 15/04/2026 20:13, Mark Olson wrote:
Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
On 15/04/2026 16:46, Mark Olson wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
joints, so he told me he is somewhat seriously considering buying
this aftermarket electric foot:
https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-
XT500-SR500-SR400/Electric-Start-Conversions/p/Electric-Start-
Conversion-SR500-x61700476.htm
[snip]
I gather those things can be poor starters. Rollers are a lot cheaper as >>> long as you don't stall it anywhere. Personally I'd probably buy a
different bike than spend that amount.
Me too, but he has owned this one almost from new, if I'm not mistaken
it's only the 3rd bike he's owned and he has a strong sentimental
attachment to it. Plus he can afford to indulge himself, so ...
Buying a different bike doesn't always mean one has to sell one. <cough>.
Indeed. Perhaps fortuitously, there is just no more space in my
garage. In any case, I've decided to not buy another unless/until the
new Moto Morini 350s become available.
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
I've ridden his bike, and when it's in a mood to start, it does easily >enough, but when it decides to be recalcitant, it's no good.
Peter Fisher <nospam@nosspam.net> wrote in
Indeed. Perhaps fortuitously, there is just no more space in my
garage. In any case, I've decided to not buy another unless/until the
new Moto Morini 350s become available.
my brother said that when he sold his collection of Moto Guzzi and BMW boxers as they were too heavy to ride or kickstart into life.
He bought a CB200 as a runaround, as he had one back in the 1970s. Supposedly his last bike at nearly 75 years.
I was there on Tuesday and he now has a Honda CL350 as the CB is not powerful enough.
Anyone want a CB200?
On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:46:48 -0000 (UTC), Mark Olson
<olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote:
Friend has a 1978 SR500 in relatively good nick, compared to his knee
I've ridden his bike, and when it's in a mood to start, it does easily >>enough, but when it decides to be recalcitant, it's no good.
Those things had a terrible reputation for starting even back in the
late 70s!
We switched bikes a time or two and I really enjoyed riding it,
but when it wouldn't start it was really determined to stay quiet.
On 16/4/26 20:12, Mark Olson wrote:
Has Sir considered one of those shotgun cartridge jobs? (Coffman starter).
We switched bikes a time or two and I really enjoyed riding it,
but when it wouldn't start it was really determined to stay quiet.
wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote in news:XnsB4307766D4Dwtymmmsas@ 157.180.91.226:
Peter Fisher <nospam@nosspam.net> wrote in
Indeed. Perhaps fortuitously, there is just no more space in my
garage. In any case, I've decided to not buy another unless/until the
new Moto Morini 350s become available.
my brother said that when he sold his collection of Moto Guzzi and BMW
boxers as they were too heavy to ride or kickstart into life.
He bought a CB200 as a runaround, as he had one back in the 1970s.
Supposedly his last bike at nearly 75 years.
I was there on Tuesday and he now has a Honda CL350 as the CB is not
powerful enough.
Anyone want a CB200?
actually, it's one of these in dark green https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cj360t.htm
geoffC <me@home.nl> wrote:
On 16/4/26 20:12, Mark Olson wrote:
Has Sir considered one of those shotgun cartridge jobs? (Coffman starter).
We switched bikes a time or two and I really enjoyed riding it,
but when it wouldn't start it was really determined to stay quiet.
I've owned bikes where I've seriously considered using a shotgun
cartridge, but not a Coffman blank cartridge...
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