I'm back on an airhead, a '73 75/5 after about 30 years. As part of getting re-acquainted with the bike (my last was a 50/5), I read through the original owners manual (blue, 5.5 x 8.5), that came with the bike. I came across a section that, even when I read it, seemed odd. On page 55, section 13, end of the page, it says:
"The lock to prevent repeat starting is a transistor controlled relay which prevents accidental engagement of the starter while the engine is running".
While riding the bike, recently, I accidentally hit the starter, while trying to flip on the turn signal. There was exactly the horrible crashing sound that I expected. Puzzled, I asked my local mechanics about it. They confirmed that they have never heard of any starter lockout on these bikes.
This bike *has* been modified with a EnduraSpark ignition system but I'm pretty sure that I recall that I could crash the starter on my old 50/5.
So, what is that sentence in the manual about? Do some bikes actually have a starter lockout? It would definitely be nice!
-blake
Scot is correct. Snowbum's web site covers this topic in full detail. If your bike has it's original starter relay, the relay dis-ables the electric start at any RPM value that extinguishes the charge indicator light. On my /5, that is around 1000RPM. I try to keep my idle setting high enough so that the charge light (red) is not glowing. If your bike has been modified to use a more generic relay, the "anti-restart" function has been removed. This applies to /5 models only.
former Airmarshal, IL.
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