Kick Starting in Gear?

[ScratchyV]

I just completed refurbishing a 1972 Ace 100B that is new for me. Everything is finished and working out well but I have an operational question. It kick starts in neutral like it should but should it also be able to kick start in gear with the clutch in? I haven't ridden a Hodaka in decades so I don't remember. In gear with the clutch in it wants to roll forward when kicking. Is this normal and correct?

[rlkarren]

I wondered the same thing when I first built my Ace 90. I found out that the early machines must be in Neutral to kick start.

Roger

[Zyx]

The clutch is mounted on the crankshaft. If the clutch is working correctly, you should not be able to transmit rotational force from the kick start to the crank with the clutch pulled. Having to find neutral to start is one of the motocross drawbacks from the 70's when the big three all had primary kick start in any gear and Hodaka did not. So, no, nearly all the Hodaka's will not kick start in gear. Of course, you can always try kicking it in gear with the clutch out, but be ready for a ride if it starts in gear.

Or to answer the question as it was asked, yes it is normal to roll forward in gear with the clutch out if you kick it.