LittleSister
Well-known member
I used to ride big single motorcycles, where the position of the kickstart engagement in relation to compression, and the right speed to apply to the kickstart, were critical. That's because you had quite a bit of force in your leg, but little more than a single cycle of the engine achieved by each application of the kickstart.
By contrast, for Bukh (and similar ) marine engines flywheel speed is the thing you need (at least in theory). You won't be able to turn the handle past compression, so its the power of the flywheel that's carrying it over compression, and the faster it's going the more power there is available. It will take quite a few turns to get it up to the highest speed you can (before you start tiring), and it will be critical to be able to release the decompressor before the speed of the flywheel falls (and preferably while you're still turning the handle). I'm hoping to rig up some sort of system of cords so I can release the decompressor with my foot.
By contrast, for Bukh (and similar ) marine engines flywheel speed is the thing you need (at least in theory). You won't be able to turn the handle past compression, so its the power of the flywheel that's carrying it over compression, and the faster it's going the more power there is available. It will take quite a few turns to get it up to the highest speed you can (before you start tiring), and it will be critical to be able to release the decompressor before the speed of the flywheel falls (and preferably while you're still turning the handle). I'm hoping to rig up some sort of system of cords so I can release the decompressor with my foot.