KIckstart return stop

[concrete-bryan]

Could anyone tell me, in simple language please, what normally stops the kickstart on its return stroke? The bike kicked back rather violently and the kickstart flew right back and jammed itself against the rear brake pedal. Also, what is likely to be needed to fix the problem bearing in my mind that I am no great mechanic myself.
Thanks
Bryan

[hendred]

I decided to check my layshaft roller bearing this morning as they are known to crack - it was ok.  I believe your bike is an earlier one and will have a bronze bush so no worries there.  The inspection showed the kickstart mechanism.  First remove the triangular plate by the kickstart and remove the small circlip on the end of the mainshaft. Then remove the gearbox end cover which is held in place by cap head bolts around the edge. Don't remove the kickstart. Pull the end cover off and on the end of the layshaft (the one towards the rear of the bike) the first gear has face teeth cut in it forming a ratchet. Looking inside the end cover there is a splined ratchet gear with a spring behind it.  When the kickstart is depressed the ratchet gear on the spline moves in and engages with the ratchet on the first gear on the layshaft. When the kickstart is returned the partial flange on the ratchet gear engages with the slot in the kickstart stop ( steel piece bolted to top right hand corner  looking at the cover from the inside) and pulls the ratchet gear out of engagement and holds the kickstart in the correct position.

If you put "ratchet plate" in the search function you will see the shape of the partial flange.  My Silk is a late one and there may some variation on earlier bikes.
Hope this helps .
Jon

[Smokey_Paul]

Well done Jon good explanation, I also discussed this with him on Facebook hopefully he hasn't broken the spring !