RGM folding kickstart pedal.

fiatfan · Jan 15, 2026

I´ve read some of the threads about this item but not seen anyone having the issue I have. As you see in the pics it looks like it´s totally worn out but it´s not been used a lot at all. Maybe a fabrication miss? Not quite sure how to fix this, bought it 3 or 4 years ago but the bike wasn´t finished until last summer so I can´t return it. Will probably be some welding, and ruin the chrome but what to do..... I can add that the kickstart shaft and bushings/bearings are new and works as they should, the problem is only the kickstart itself, where it swivels if that´s the right word. It´s really hard to take good pics with the chrome reflecting everything, but in the last pics I tried to show where the problem is.

concours · Jan 15, 2026

fiatfan said:
I´ve read some of the threads about this item but not seen anyone having the issue I have. As you see in the pics it looks like it´s totally worn out but it´s not been used a lot at all. Maybe a fabrication miss? Not quite sure how to fix this, bought it 3 or 4 years ago but the bike wasn´t finished until last summer so I can´t return it. Will probably be some welding, and ruin the chrome but what to do..... I can add that the kickstart shaft and bushings/bearings are new and works as they should, the problem is only the kickstart itself, where it swivels if that´s the right word. It´s really hard to take good pics with the chrome reflecting everything, but in the last pics I tried to show where the problem is.
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A lifetime in the metal trade, i've seen all manner of screw ups.it looks like you nailed it, with a fabrication miss. Either the hole location, or the stopper boss being finished to the wrong shape/size

Any chance you can return it to the vendor?

marshg246 · Jan 15, 2026

fiatfan said:
I´ve read some of the threads about this item but not seen anyone having the issue I have. As you see in the pics it looks like it´s totally worn out but it´s not been used a lot at all. Maybe a fabrication miss? Not quite sure how to fix this, bought it 3 or 4 years ago but the bike wasn´t finished until last summer so I can´t return it. Will probably be some welding, and ruin the chrome but what to do..... I can add that the kickstart shaft and bushings/bearings are new and works as they should, the problem is only the kickstart itself, where it swivels if that´s the right word. It´s really hard to take good pics with the chrome reflecting everything, but in the last pics I tried to show where the problem is.
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Unfortunately, in my experience, the quality control is terrible. I quit selling them for that reason. Some are great and last, some are junk out of the box, and some get loose quickly.

phippsy · Jan 15, 2026

I bought mine about 4 years ago not got your problem but the chrome fell of in weeks ! It’s a shame the idea is good

fiatfan · Jan 15, 2026

concours said:
A lifetime in the metal trade, i've seen all manner of screw ups.it looks like you nailed it, with a fabrication miss. Either the hole location, or the stopper boss being finished to the wrong shape/size

Any chance you can return it to the vendor?

Doubt it, bought it several years ago and the build of the bike has taken way too long, so even though it hasn´t beeen much used I suspect it´s too long ago.

SteveBorland · Jan 15, 2026

fiatfan said:
Doubt it, bought it several years ago and the build of the bike has taken way too long, so even though it hasn´t beeen much used I suspect it´s too long ago.

I'm not 100% certain what the problem is from the photos, but I know that there was a batch where the hardning of the base was wrong. My kickstart was one of these, resulting in the base twisting after a bit of use. Roger at RGM was very helpful and sent a new part immediately.
I would suggest that you contact RGM and explain the problem. In my experience, they are usually very helpful.

Stephen Hill · Jan 16, 2026

If I understand the problem, the factory stops are in the wrong locations so the kicker over rotates. I had a similar problem. I did speak with RGM about my issue and while they were willing to help, it became obvious that their machining tolerances varied and the chances of them sending what I needed was not high.

I repaired it myself. You need to build up the surface of one side or the other. The surface on the swivelling kick starter is easier to work on. I removed the chrome from the contact surface on the kick starter, and built up the surface with tig brazing. Then filed the built up surface until the two surfaces met properly. The final product looked good, with a nice bronze surface, no burnt chrome, and the kick start lever stops at right angles to the bike. I would stay away from using a steel filler rod (tig welding instead of tig brazing) as you will burn the surrounding chrome and it will look like crap.

marshg246 · Jan 16, 2026

Stephen Hill said:
If I understand the problem, the factory stops are in the wrong locations so the kicker over rotates. I had a similar problem. I did speak with RGM about my issue and while they were willing to help, it became obvious that their machining tolerances varied and the chances of them sending you what you need was not high.

I repaired it myself. You need to build up the surface of one side or the other. The surface on the swivelling kick starter is easier to work on. I removed the chrome from the contact surface on the kick starter, and built up the surface with tig brazing. Then filed the built up surface until the two surfaces met properly. The final product looked good, with a nice bronze surface, no burnt chrome, and the kick start lever stops at right angles to the bike. I would stay away from using a steel filler rod (tig welding instead of tig brazing) as you will burn the surrounding chrome and it will look like crap.

I never had a complaint like yours, the main complaint I got on them was the pivots getting loose in a short time and not staying in towards the bike once used. Having it swingout and slap the back of your leg while riding did not make riders happy! Most are still using them but cussing them and various fixes have been tried with little success. Of course, I refunded those who wanted it.

Mark Savage · Jan 16, 2026

marshg246 said:
I never had a complaint like yours, the main complaint I got on them was the pivots getting loose in a short time and not staying in towards the bike once used. Having it swingout and slap the back of your leg while riding did not make riders happy! Most are still using them but cussing them and various fixes have been tried with little success. Of course, I refunded those who wanted it.

My fix was to replace it with a standard one.

cash · Jan 16, 2026

fiatfan said:
I´ve read some of the threads about this item but not seen anyone having the issue I have. As you see in the pics it looks like it´s totally worn out but it´s not been used a lot at all. Maybe a fabrication miss? Not quite sure how to fix this, bought it 3 or 4 years ago but the bike wasn´t finished until last summer so I can´t return it. Will probably be some welding, and ruin the chrome but what to do..... I can add that the kickstart shaft and bushings/bearings are new and works as they should, the problem is only the kickstart itself, where it swivels if that´s the right word. It´s really hard to take good pics with the chrome reflecting everything, but in the last pics I tried to show where the problem is.
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It looks like the forged splined boss is bent? If so you might only need to remove it grip in a decent vice between two smooth plates to protect the chrome and give it a belt or two the square it up. To stop the lever flopping around the Triumph standard flat spring is available and could be fitted at the same time. I fitted a small detent and a Bellville washer some 20+ years ago and it's still working fine.

ashman · Jan 16, 2026

I have had mine for over 15 years now and haven't had any issues with it, a lot better than the stock kicker and the arm sticking in the back of my leg and forcing my foot to the out edge of the foot peg and no hitting or to close to the muffler and the best of all easier kicking with a bit more length with my hi compression motor, i was also retighting my stock kicker on the spline afer a few kicks it be lose no matter what mods i did to it, have no problems with the folding kicker at all.

Ash

fiatfan · Jan 17, 2026

Stephen Hill said:
If I understand the problem, the factory stops are in the wrong locations so the kicker over rotates. I had a similar problem. I did speak with RGM about my issue and while they were willing to help, it became obvious that their machining tolerances varied and the chances of them sending what I needed was not high.

I repaired it myself. You need to build up the surface of one side or the other. The surface on the swivelling kick starter is easier to work on. I removed the chrome from the contact surface on the kick starter, and built up the surface with tig brazing. Then filed the built up surface until the two surfaces met properly. The final product looked good, with a nice bronze surface, no burnt chrome, and the kick start lever stops at right angles to the bike. I would stay away from using a steel filler rod (tig welding instead of tig brazing) as you will burn the surrounding chrome and it will look like crap.

That´s the way I was thinking of doing it, have a friend who has a tig.

fiatfan · Jan 17, 2026

cash said:
It looks like the forged splined boss is bent? If so you might only need to remove it grip in a decent vice between two smooth plates to protect the chrome and give it a belt or two the square it up. To stop the lever flopping around the Triumph standard flat spring is available and could be fitted at the same time. I fitted a small detent and a Bellville washer some 20+ years ago and it's still working fine.

You´re right, it does look like it is. But I´m not sure it´s supposed to be at a right angle. I think my pics could have been better aligned, they look a bit "off right angle" against the gearbox. I don´t have any trouble with the lever "flopping around".

speirmoor · Jan 17, 2026

cliffa · Jan 18, 2026

If I understand right, you’re saying that the lever is over rotating on the boss? Have you checked that the bolt is correct, and that it’s a proper shouldered bolt?

If it is, I would simply glue a tight fitting strip of stainless in place at the back of it to fill the gap. It doesn’t need much to hold in in place as it’s in compression when in use.

concours · Jan 18, 2026

cliffa said:
If I understand right, you’re saying that the lever is over rotating on the boss? Have you checked that the bolt is correct, and that it’s a proper shouldered bolt?

If it is, I would simply glue a tight fitting strip of stainless in place at the back of it to fill the gap. It doesn’t need much to hold in in place as it’s in compression when in use.

A glued in shim will spit out on kick #2.

Weld build up will work. Done quickly with a TIG, chrome disturbance will be minimal.

Done similar jobs in the past.

cash · Jan 18, 2026

fiatfan said:
You´re right, it does look like it is. But I´m not sure it´s supposed to be at a right angle. I think my pics could have been better aligned, they look a bit "off right angle" against the gearbox. I don´t have any trouble with the lever "flopping around".

From memory I'm pretty sure the mount should be at a right angle. The first two I made certainly are at right angles. The first one has a GT550 hard to come by lever while the second has the now standard T160 lever. I used stainless steel for the splined lever mounts and neither gave any problems in fact the splines grip firmly and remove easily. RGM lengthened the splined boss lug to accommodate the standard footrest arrangement and forged them from steel.

Fast Eddie · Jan 18, 2026

Mark Savage said:
My fix was to replace it with a standard one.

Which then proceeded to work perfectly, no doubt?

Mark Savage · Jan 18, 2026

Fast Eddie said:
Which then proceeded to work perfectly, no doubt?

I only bought the RGM one to use on my Dommie cafe racer to see if it would work with the rear sets but it didn’t. I fitted it to the Commando instead and I think it looked great. It started to flop about so I changed the washer to a dished type and that worked for a while. Then some chrome dropped off and then it started to flop out again so I put a standard one back on.
Also, it’s much easier, at 5’ 10”, to get my foot up onto the standard one to start it when sat on the bike. I put it on Fleabay with the faults listed and it still sold pretty quickly.

Stephen Hill · Jan 18, 2026

i have one that needed modification because the kicking lever didn't stop at a right angle to the center line of the bike, and when I kicked it my boot slid off at the bottom of the stroke.

As above, I modified it and it works fine. I like the additional leverage.
With no detent mine tends to flop around but mostly stays in the stored location, blocked by my right leg.

Kind of sad when you think about it. They tried to clone a Japanese kick lever, which never goes wrong, and built in a variety of defects. "We don't need no stinking detent", etc.

RGM folding kickstart pedal.

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