# Kickstarting a Motorcycle
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 29, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637 "2005-12-29T22:06:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/1 "2005-12-29T22:06:38Z")
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
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/2 "2005-12-29T22:17:31Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/3 "2005-12-29T22:17:43Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2005, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/4 "2005-12-29T22:28:40Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#):
>
> 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.
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.
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### Author:  [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/5 "2005-12-30T00:21:19Z")
Think of starting a lawnmower. Instead of pulling a cord you stomp down on a pedal.
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### Author:  [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)
#### Post date: [December 30, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarting-a-motorcycle/337637/6 "2005-12-30T05:06:59Z")
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 \*