What is that peice of metal called that you kick down on to start the bike? Throttle?
What is happening mechanically when you kick down on it? Sparks and fuel and vroom?
Ive always been curious. Tankya
It’s called the kick starter. The throttle is the twisty bit in your right hand. When you kick the kick starter it turns the crank and causes the magneto to make a spark that ignites the fuel/air mixture.
Kick starter. It’s attached to the flywheel by a ratchet which is disengaged when thew mechanism is released. When you force your weight down on it, it engages the ratchet and makes the engine crank and fire up, similar to pull-starting a lawnmower.
If it has a magneto.
My shovelhead had electronic igniton and a kick starter.
But yeah, the kick starter turns the motor over just like a starter motor in one of those new fangled bikes…or your car.
Think of starting a lawnmower. Instead of pulling a cord you stomp down on a pedal.
Just like a “Cushman” motor scooter or an old, really old, “Maytag” washing machine.
*Used both cause I’m old. Still ride a kick only hard tail chopper and I’m 62… bawahaahaa *