500x kicker shaft replacement

[taz]

any body every replace a kicker shaft in a xl500 mine is broke off and I want to know if you have to stripe down the engine clear down to change it or if it can be taken out by just removing the side covers and some other:wondering parts thanks

[Louis Mielke]

Pretty sure that replacement requires the cases be split. Seems to be a common problem on those 4 stroke 500s.

[rttuck21]

Got to disassemble the entire engine, its the last part out of the case and the first part in, I have a xr500r and have put 2 in it, and after the first time you learn that there is a certain way to start it and will never break it again, not one you just walk up to and start kicking, a xr250 also has the same kick start shaft, it is still available new from honda for about 120, but ebay has them used a whole lot cheaper, last one I put in was from a 81 or 82 250, good luck and check the balancer chain while your in there, and it is pretty challenging job to do, best of luck to you and if you need any info I got the book