Kicker Pedal Pin Washer

[droptopford]

Not specific to Panheads but I have a couple of pretty silly questions about kicker pedal.

There's a little spring-steel 'washer' (# 33215-30) that I believe is supposed to keep the kicker pedal in its stowed position while riding. It's squared off on one side to keep it from rotating and it's curved/bent. It's been my experience that in general, it doesn't work. It's so common for the pedal to sneak back into the extended position that I unconciously reach down and tuck it back in every now and then. Is this the same for most everybody or not?

The 57 Parts Book shows the washer located underneath the pedal but it does not depict the bend. Does anyone know if the bend is supposed to be oriented with the convex side against the pedal or the concave side? Does it matter? Do they ever work? Do they loose their effectiveness over time. Is there a better solution.

All insignificant and like I said, silly questions I know, but it would be nice to ride 10 minutes without that pedal swinging out.

[Saddletramp]

Droptop,
I just installed a new washer on mine with the concave upward toward the pedal and it is very stiff and the pedal will barley move. That just seemed to be the way it would fit best.
I also just parkerized the pedal axle so it fit pretty tight.
James

[BigLakeBob]

My experience is they are always tight when installed but quicky become just a somewhat flat washer. Doesn't make sense, but it seems like the temper gets lost.

[Rubone]

My experience is they are always tight when installed but quicky become just a somewhat flat washer. Doesn't make sense, but it seems like the temper gets lost.

I know some folks I wish that happened to!

[Speeding Big Twin]

Clark, I’ve had that problem with several bikes over the years. In the 70s when I bought my first Pan it had H-D starter crank #33068-54 and probably had the -30 washer you mentioned but that crank snapped and so did the first AM crank I bought to replace it.

Sometime ago I bought a USA-made Milmeyer crank and as a starter pedal I’m using a Harley footrest which looks the same, more or less, as the starter pedal used for the 71 Super Glide although at that stage the factory was still using the -30 washer and it remained in use for kick starters through 76 according to my H-D FX-series catalog.

Hole in the top of this crank is countersunk so I put two small washers there to accommodate that but to help solve the problem of the moving pedal/footrest I put a normal flat steel washer under it and it’s visible in this photo. Below the flat washer is H-D spring washer #50912-72 which is barely noticeable. The -72 spring washer was introduced for footrests and it’s even listed in my H-D 99 Softail catalog to be used (as required) with them. These spring washers appear to be slightly curved and I’ve got the apparent curve facing up although I’m not sure if it makes any difference which way it goes. It’s easy to move the pedal/footrest out for starting but when pulled in it will stay in this position even at high speed on the open road.
Eric

[Tom Wilcock]

On my 1962 Panhead I put the spring washer on the top of the pedal because I figured there would be less stress on it when kick starting the bike. In 40 years, there has never been a problem with the pedal swinging out on its own.
Tom

[droptopford]

Thanks guys... I appreciate the ideas and suggestions.
So... While some of you are fabricationg your own sheet metal and welding up your broken cases, I'm dedicating all my restoration efforts to this project!