Kick starter is tight
 

After putting the clutch side cover back on ( the large cover, not just the round one), my kick starter feels tights and will not spring return. I loosened the cover and it felt looser, like normal, and would spring return. When I tightened the bolts again the kick starter was again stiff and will not spring return. I removed the cover again, ruining the gasket, and reinstalled and it is still tight when the bolts are tight.

When I ruinned the gasket, I reassembled using a liquid gasket sealant. Will this work as a permanent gasket?

Should I just fill the fluids, run it for a while, and see if the kickstarter loosens itself up?

Thanks for the help.

Josh

You MUST use a gasket. A gasket has two purposes, one is a sealer and the other a spacer.
Not using a gasket will put the water pump bearing in a bind.

The kick starter is binding because the plastic spacer is not positioned properly and pushing out on the clutch cover. Make sure the spring in rested in the notch.

I'm just now getting around to addressing this. Unfortunately work too many hours and family take priority over riding.

After taking it apart, the kick starter assembly appears to be properly assembled. Could the lack of a gasket have been causing the kickstarter before / along with the water pump to bind as warned against above?

Also, should I be using gasket sealant along with the gaskets or should I just assemble using the gaskets?

Thanks,

Josh

Spring has to be right or it won't work. Not forcing back = wrong.