Kick starter probs

[peterr]

Hi i went for a ride on the weekend and it appears that the kick stater gear has stripped its teeth, i have to push start it. is this a common problem ?

I have only used the bike 9 times since i bought it.

[Nick]

Yours is not the first one, though i wouldnt call it common.

[GMP]

Do you tend to "slap kick" the bike, or move easy untill the gear is engaged?

[peterr]

i allways engage my kick starter first, i own quite a few vintage MX bikes and dont have problems with them, my KX500 is known for shearing teeth and i have had no probs with it. I have pulled it down today and quite a few teeth are missing.

[JoshP]

It seems like every used bike I have owned has had this issue.
I just did this job on my 98 250. It was quick and easy but the
starter pinion was like $80 and the kick inner pinion was $45 so with
the other springs and such it was about 150 I think. But it's better than jump starting it I guess.