Tri-z kick lever options (snapped lever)

[Rigaman]

This is the second tri-z kick lever I have snapped at the knuckle. At the price these levers go for, it doesnt make sense for me to buy another one just to break it again. So.. I need options.

I know a 250r kick lever will work with a little modification. A 250sx lever will work also. Not sure on the year 250sx levers. I think 85 is different than 86/87?

So I know there are options. I need to know which lever is best for the tri-z. I dont want it to slam down on the pegs like the tri-z lever does. It also needs to sit nice and tucked in when riding. I have seen levers sitting right up against the frame, and levers sitting up against the seat making wear marks in the frame and holes in the seat.

Please chime in and let me know what you are using, pictures, and how you like it. I have searched over and over, and there really isnt much info on what lever is best. Only that the splines line up, and certain ones work...

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[New2Tri-Z]

I have heard of the 250r option also form the thread about the interchangeable parts but have never seen one done. I would love to see what you come up with as I am in the same boat. Lever hasn't broke yet but the peg is obliterated from it. Now that I am running Hagen's pegs I am afraid the kicker wont last at all.

[Xowner]

I have some z kickers if you want to go that route, OR a 250sx kicker is a bolt on deal it wont break and fits very nice it might rub a little on the plastic but i believe its the best one other then the stocker.

[Mosh]

I can't confirm the 250R kicker working. However, the 87-88 and 91-92 TRX 250X kicker will work. I have run them. You will have to grind the knuckle about 1/8 inch at the top of the swivel to clear the case. The kicker itself is shorter than the Z kicker. So it does clear the footpeg. However, then you are depending on the internal case stop, to take all the force if you kick it all the way till the kicker stops, which will probably brake the cases or side cover eventually. IMO the SX kicker although it works, it just looks "out of place" mounted from what I have seen. The TRX 250X kicker can be made to look almost level when mounted. It does protrude out slightly more than the Z kicker up at the fender area. I have not paid attention lately to prices, but I would guess they may be cheaper than a SX kicker as well.

Personally I broke one Z kicker in my time with them. It was at the point, I learned real fast how to start them without over forcing the kicker and without banging the footpeg. It takes a nack to get, but you can play with the kicker cycle to "half stab" the kicker to make it start without beating the snot out of the pegs, kicker, and over stressing the clutch cover. That is of course if the machine is tuned well.

Typically I bumped the engine over (much like a four stroke) until it felt like it was ready to fire at the easiest, then gave a quick half stab to start it without having to go through the whole swing. Using this method I never broke one again and that included my big bore engine.

[samuraiguys]

I have a 250sx kicker on mine as we speak, works great and almost looks like it was made to be on it

[Marty]

Rigaman I was just looking for a tri z kicker at dealership a few weeks as well and those kickers were on back order! You know what happens the majority of times when something goes backorder it becomes discontinued!!!!
If you lived close to me i would have you come by my house I get parts cheap not retail prices but cheap. When I looked at price of kicker could not believe retail on that piece is $97.

[Rigaman]

Ya. They go for $100. I ordered a new one about 6 months ago.. And thats the one that just snapped on me.

I just bought a 250sx kick lever for $17 shipped. Nice and tight detent. It has a little problem bolting up though. Since the lever pivots over the front of the kick shaft, it is having trouble going on far enough to get the bolt to line up into the area on the kick shaft that is recessed.

the 85 250sx kick levers look more like the 350x lever, with a different bend. The 86/87 250sx lever looks more like it should be on there. It is more of a normal pivot.

I dont like how either the 250r or 250sx kick lever mounts though. Either it clears the frame and starts kicking too high, or too low. When they are in a good height, it rests against the frame or the seat. So I might mount it lower, so I can do real fast kicks, and let the peg be the stop.

[Rigaman]

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Not bad... It does stick out a little bit. But it starts at a good angle. And ends right at the peg.

[Rigaman]

Only issue I can see is that instead of the knuckle being right above the splines of the shaft, it is like an inch and a half out. I hope that doesn't put too much stress on the kick mechanism. More leverage outward like that could be bad I think.

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Here is a pic of where it rests and where it is engaged

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[03 ORANGE SHEE]

I used A 1987-92 trx250x on one of mine many moons ago.

[Dirtcrasher]

Awesome Z Rigaman!!

That kick starter case should have been dowel pinned at the factory; IDK if you guys have enough meat to do so.

I'd bore that piece out and weld in some cold rolled steel (after machining) that would bend instead of snap. It has to be cast so IDK why it only cracked, maybe some heat work....

[Rigaman]

The kick start lever is just designed bad. It is very long and swings out far. I could try to fix it. The other one I broke snapped right in 2 pieces. And I bought a lot of parts once with one that snapped in the same place. It's not really fixable when it snaps in 2. Where it snaps is right where the detent ball is. And there is a hole there with a spring behind it. So that's the weak spot

I'll be honest. It was my fault it cracked like that. I got lazy and kicked it from the side of the trike. Standing on the ground. Too much outward force. But first one I snapped just went from normal kicks.

The kick cover has 2 dowel pins. It's just thin aluminum and the clutch cover is the only thing supporting the kick shaft and gear. So a kick back or too much force could break the cover. There can be material added to the outside where it's thin. They did the best they could designing a reverse kick on a 83 yz bottom end... They shoulda made a new motor for the z..