I added audible beeper to indicators on both my old bikes because I have seen so many motorcyclists (including myself) forget to turn off after turn. The sound is annoying when waiting at intersections or traffic lights, so I fitted a relay that disconnects beeper when brake is applied (stop light circuit). Put on brake when you stop and sound stops. Starts again as soon as you take off. Simple solution.

Decompression Levers are still quite common, you just don’t see them anymore as they are engaged/disengaged automatically.

3:40 In Switzerland we have almost a kind of tradition of driving around in small 25cc motorbike-bicycle-hybrids (we call them "Töffli") which are always pedal started. Many teens drive them as your allowed to as soon as you're 14yo but there are still many enthusiasts which like to put bigger engines and tune them because those bikes where made to be easily tuneable. So at least in Switzerland you see those pedal starters very often, especially after school when all the teens start pedaling up their Töfflis to drive home.

I'm pretty certain that Royal Enfield still supply a tool kit with their bikes. I've got a 2018 Himalayan that came with a tool kit. Come to think of it I've also got a 2018 Honda NC750X which came with one.

Jawa used to have Kickstarter that doubled up as the gear lever & operated the clutch also even though it had clutch lever as well, self lubrication on swinging arm bearings & interchangeable front or rear wheels were other strange features.

3:15 You don't just pedal and badabing magic happens engine on. You spin up the flywheel separately from the engine with the pedals and then drop the clutch, dumping the pedals momentum into the crank whenever you think it's fast enough. It's a lot like the way some tanks can be started with a handle you cranked by hand

On that with tools, my soviet motorcycle did not have any, but a fun little fact is that you can take both wheels off with a wooden stick or a screwdriver.

Royal Enfields still come with toolkits. My 2021 Interceptor has got one, the same with Continental GT and the Himalayan. I wouldn't call RE a boutique brand, they're just doing a hell of a job. 👍

One thing missing from the list: Anti-dive forks. (I wonder if the lack of tool kits is just a US market thing? I think bikes sold in Europe still have one. My R1 does)

Piaggio "Ciao" has pedal starter and also a decompression lever, so it's easy to use the pedals!

It used to be common to add a decompression valve and lever to the second spark plug hole in single cylinder 2stroke dirt bikes, not to assist with starting but to provide serious engine braking. It was the best way to slow down quickly without locking up the back wheel on slippery terrain.

My 2017 Ural has a tool kit that will just about allow you to rebuild the motor. It's even got two great big steel tire irons that weigh about a pound and a half apiece. Not to mention the spare wheel and tire pump.

Headlights never ran on kerosene, they ran on acetylene, p.s. sometimes called carbide.

You forgot the steering damper knob that stiffened the turn handling on most 1950's bikes.

You need to have someone explain the decompression lever to you. Except on very early motorcycles, it does not work as you describe it. Actually, you bring the bike up on compression, pull the lever, ease the piston over the top, release the lever, then kick.

Both my Honda Monkey (2022) and Honda rebel 500 (2020) come with a toolkit :)

I rode a tank shift once, with a long lever it was super easy to ride. Also to hell with that tool kit nonsense, they do the same thing in games. Eliminate a feature and act like there's an actual reason beyond just cheaping out.

The decompression lever is no longer needed. Newer bikes that I know like Yamaha have automatic decompression cam disc that allow the exhaust valves to crack open during start up.

I bought an Indian Scout in 2016 and the toolkit was a single allen key that clipped into a spot behind the rear number plate. That's it, one tool for everything they expected the owner to do.

All indian manufacturers provide toolkits and indicator beeper with their bikes. It's kind of a mandate here in my country

The ingenius shifter for me is left grip shifter like in old vespa

Actually a good feature in my humble opinion was the direct to neutral lever on some old twin Royal Enfield. No matter what gear you stopped in, move this lever with your right foot, ( same side as the shifter), and the bike went straight to neutral.

my 1982 royal Enfield bullet has 4 unique outdated features 1. ammeter 2. right side gear shifter 3. neutral finder 4. decompression lever

Lots places, outside the US, still have toolkits provided. All my bikes, Japanese and UK brands have had them.

Interesting video. Thank you. I had a DR350 and an XT500 and they both had valve lifters. Both early versions of those bikes, no electric start on either.

Tools came with my 2022 RE INT650 and also with my 2018 Yamaha TW200. Funny thing with the TDub though, you need a 10 mm to remove the seat to access the tool kit!! 🤔

Hah! That takes me back... The frickin' thumb operated decompression lever on my old RE 500 single, the crusty & rusty (and wet metal & plastic stinking) tool kit I found in the side box of my Yammy XS650 project bike and the ꜰᴜᴄᴋɪɴ’ ʙᴇᴇᴘ-ʙᴇᴇᴘ-ʙᴇᴇᴘ on my CB750... It took every ounce of mental fortitude not to start randomly tearing out wires on my first ride home with that one. Thanks man! 30+ yrs of memories in under 10 mins!!

Love that you have a 500 Trumpet. I had one in ‘80 in Greensboro and have had another since ‘2012. Keep the faith 👍

Great video! FYI: all my 3 motorcycles: a 2007 Suzuki DRZ400, a 2007 Moto Guzzi Griso and my 2016 Honda CB1100 came with OEM toolkits.

The government made Harley switch the 1975 Sportster controls so bike thieves wouldn't get confused.

My ‘89 Honda NX650 came with a tool kit, and it’s even easy to access behind the front fairing. When I was a kid Harley’s with a hand shifter were still around. People called them ‘suicide clutches’, because if you were in gear at a light and began to lean the wrong way, taking your foot off the clutch to catch yourself could launch you into traffic.

its amazing to me how so much of this guy's video comes from other channels with just his own voiceover. brilliant

A bike with no kick start is lame. There is nothing worse than having Low Battery power or a broken starter and not being able to start the bike. One of my bikes had a broken rectifier and it took a few weeks to get the part order. So I just removed the battery and kicked started the bike until I could fix it, no sweat. Apparently the new SR400 comes with a kick start and my first thought was, "it had bloody well better have one." Any SR I tried was ONLY kick start, separating the men from the boys.

My Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 came with a functional tool kit. Nice! The signal beeper sounds like the bike wishes it could back up by itself!

I've still got my Honda turn signal beeper! I rigged it up with some jumper cables and alligator clips and use it as a wire tracer./ fuse tester. I have used it that way for decades. I'll never get rid if it.

Self cancelling indicators on Yamaha XS400 and 250. Worked by a magnetic Reed switch in speedo head. Wasn't time related, it counted pulses from rotation of speedo cable. Worked superbly.

My KMZ Dnepr has an in gearbox reverse, and the foot shifter also operates the clutch when shifting. All 4 wheels are the same with one carried as a spare on the back top of the sidecar. It has a real alternator and not a simple stator type like modern motorcycles. It can be removed and replaced in 15 minutes unlike replacing a stator buried inside the engine that can take hours. The owners manual is also a complete service manual. A parts catalog shows everything used and where in detailed drawings so no need to wonder what screw or bolt went where or how it was assembled. It includes a light switch for turning on and off all the lights unlike modern motorcycles where the lights are on all the time the engine is running. It even has a trailer hitch for towing a 1/4 ton trailer or towed weapon such as a heavy machine gun. There are two neutral positions. Idle neutral between 1st and 2nd gears and towing neutral between 3rd and 4th gears used when towing it with another vehicle. The back of the sidecar seat can be switched so the gunner can sit facing forward or backwards depending on guarding the front or rear of a marching troop column.

We need to bring back propeller powered bikes. It would help with annoying pedestrians.

Back in 1974 the U.S. DOT set "standards" for new motorcycles sold in the States. Those standards included putting the controls in the same place on all bikes. Turn signals became required then, along with the Headlight always being on.

When I toured the Harley Davidson factory a while back in York, Pennsylvania, they told us you could still order a foot clutch if you wanted it. Not sure about the hand shifter.

I have a 1980s Checoslovakian moped and it has a pedal start! It's hilarious and actually very effective at starting the 'beast'!

The compression lever was a seriously good feature. Especially if you've ever kicked over a 600 CC single Thumper

Kick-start is a must have feature here, because someone will always forgot to change their battery and that's the only way to turn it on when the battery dies.

The first bike I owned was a 1965 Yamaha. It came with a tool kit, which I needed because it fouled its spark plug every 300 miles. I sold it a couple years later, but I still have the tool kit.

Couldn't think of 10 features that no longer exist? Chuck in a couple of wacky inventions, problem solved!

Royal Enfield's Neutral Finder. A small lever to put the into neutral quickly. Helpful in red lights. Drove bikes with all those features you mentioned. Well except that retractable tricycle. Bob just reminded the Jawa kick-cum-gear-lever, so much fun !

My 72 Suzuki TS 125 had what compression relief valve (i think what you were calling a "decimoressor") i felt it was there more for 2-stroke "engine breaking", not sure if that's what it was designed to do, but for a 12 year back in the 70's, worked great for me

Wow! A propeller driven motorcycle! Gives new meaning to the term 'Chopper'. Num num num.

I have a toolkit with my 2007 honda and it is amazing. i can basically take apart the whole bike with it. And some tools are even better than my workshop ones . For example the spark plug that came with the bike is the only one i can use to get one of the spark plugs out.

British pedal cycles used to come with a basic toolkit, often along with an oilcan, pump & a saddlebag.

In 1978, in America, the DOT (Department of transportation) established by law that Motorcycles made from 1978 forward would have the left foot shifter, a right foot brake, the throttle on the right handlebar front brake lever on the right handlebar and the clutch on the left handlebar. You can modify this to accommodate a person with a handicap but this is the production layout required. As to compression releases My 2010 Harley has them, and the newer ones have electric ones. As to the turn signals, Most modern motorcycles use a BCM to control the turn signals they self cancel.

This is wholesome homie motorcycle content. Keep it up bro I like your style

My 1972 Yamaha RT360 came with a decompression lever. Made a world of difference starting it. My 2018 Suzuki SV650 came with a tool kit.

In 1973 / 74 US Congress passed a law that forced motorcycles to have a standard shift setup. So now you see all motorcycles everywhere (except older models) have left side shifts, and clutch and right-side throttles. This was done for safety but, it was to crush the British motorcycles in the 70's that all had right side shifts. Harley did have to re-engineer the Ironhead Sportster to left hand shift.

I had a bike with turn signal sound. It really helped while riding through sleek lanes, where you can't see the turn. It kind of gave a heads up for any incoming vehicles or pedestrians.

As for manual decompression levers... they are not a complication, but a necessity on high compression single cylinder British bikes. On bikes like my BSA B44SS and B50SS the clutch (even when well set up) would slip and stop the piston passing top dead centre. The technique for using it is not how you describe. Use the kickstart lever to get the piston to compression, ease it past compression slightly with the use of the decompressor and kickstart, let the kickstart return and release the decompressor, the a good swinging kick will get it started.

I wish cruisers still had kickstarts, pretty cool

In the Netherlands it used to be legal to drive a

The second one (retractable whee) is one I first heard about when it was featured in Popular Mechsnics. I still want one!!

Hi Bart, am a regular watcher and like the channel. 1. Decomposition leavers. You turn the engine over until it stops on compression. Then using the decompression leaver you ease it just over compression. At this point, one full swing on the kick-start will take the engine through Suck/Squeeze/Bang/Blow and it should start. Get it wrong and it hurts. Try srarting a 600 Panther single without one. 2, Sprung loaded side stands. An intermediate safety feature between nothing and ignition cutout switches. Honda NX250 had one. Hated it. 3. Beeping indicators. Had several 70s bikes with them including 2 GL1000s. They were fazed out quickly because Honda uses a beep very similar to the audible GO signal on some European pedestrian crossing for the visually impaired.. Not good. I found them quite useful. Keep up the good work.

Larger chainsaws still have decompression buttons. Life saver on a big saw like that.

my Yammy SR500 and Guzzi Nuovo Falcone both have decompressor levers. I only use them to get just over compression to kick start.

On my 1929 Harley and many other bikes: hand pump built in the oil tank used for pumping extra oil in the engine when riding at higher speeds, left handlebar grip turns to adjust ignition timing, ammeter in dash to monitor charging when riding, cruise control (gas grip is not spring loaded, so stays where it is when you release your grip ;-) ), automatic primary chain lubing (oil drips on the chain through a pipe from the engine), hand adjustable generator output, separate cold weather priming valves in each cylinder with a gas injection syringe screwed in the gas tank, air filter bypass option, and a front brake, which was not a standard option then. Almost forgot the dozens of grease fittings all over the bike that needed your attention very regularly. I really admire our ancestors that used these machines every day and in every kind of weather.

I love that I can get my fathers ancient pedal start Motobecane started in 2 seconds, but modern bikes with kick starts take ages sometimes.

My 1980s CZ125 had a tool kit to which I added an emery nail-file board - the points were under the same side casing as the primary sprocket, so used to get oil burned onto the gap!

At least some Yamahas from the ´80 es had side stands that foldet up when lifted. Another forgotten feature is the twist-grip gearchance in the left handgrip, where the cluch was the lock.

In the sixties, I had a Vincent Comet 500 cc single. The "compression release" was a spark retarder. If you got it wrong, the backfire would travel back to the kickstarter and break your ankle. I also had a Harley 45 with tank shift. The clutch pedal was as big as the sole of your shoe.

My RE Bullet came with a tool kit with enough tools to do basic maintenence such as change spark plugs, adjust the chain and even adjust the valves. You could probably get the head off the engine with the tool kit it came with but that would be a bit of a stretch. It is kick start only and has a compression release which is really handy. And the kick stand doesn't flip up automatically but has a rubber fob that will flip it up if you ride off without raising it first. Nice safety feature. My Ducati had the flip up stand which never caused me to drop the bike btw.

I have an old 80's Puch moped with a pedal start I rode when I was just out of HS. Think the cylinder is blown now but man, so much fun. I'd love to get that running again

I NEVER understood why pedal start went away, it's honestly so genius

My 74 Suzuki GT750 had a 70's red led gear indicator that was way more visible in direct sunlight than you would think it would be. More visible than some modern LCD displays in cars in direct sunlight.

1. Carburettor + Choker 2. Center stand 3. Fuel reserver and main switch 4. Headlight on off switch 5. 2 stroke engines 6. Easy maintenance and reliability

9:40 In Czech republic, Jawa made model called Babetta, the moped is kickstarted by pedals, does not require licence plate (no insurance or anything) is cheap af, easy to maintain but you still need driver's licence to ride it on roads. It also serves as a leg day workout when the engine refuses to start

Love the two dudes back in the day sharing a few swigs then ripping doeys in the dirt

I think another function of the decompression lever is to allow you to apply a faster kick to spin up the magneto faster to get a good spark

Had all those at one point: Piaggio moped had pedal start and decompression lever. Honda elite had a turn signal sounder, which clicked instead of buzzing and I really liked it. A few had tool kits, but they are older. My current bikes have kick start, one trials, one dual sport.

The Royal Enfield Himalaya actually does come with its own toolkit underneath the seat. And the manual has full instructions on how to do basic repairs on the side of the road.

Most cheap Chinese bikes sold by local brands here in Argentina and latinoamerica in general have a tiny tool box/kit below the battery. It comes with almost all the wrenches needed to service the bike and i usually use the toolbox to store essentials like fuses and things that could break on the go

Still bikes in India has beeper as an option for turn indicator

I have a old 1980s Yamaha DT175 that had weird carb problems resulting In 2 days of trying to kick it over untill I broke off the kick starter. That pedal start you were talking about would've been so nice to have

*This guy* "Have you ever wondered what it's like if they're playing in a motorcycle had a baby?", *Rockstar games* "Only if you knew my child"

As kids we had a couple of Puchs, which were pedal start. They're also pedal go too, especially downhill.

Before I got my motorcycle endorsement, I was riding around on an old moped from 1980. Pedal start was honestly rather annoying since, in the event of stalling out while at idle, unless I got fully off the bike, put it on the center stand, then got back on and started pedaling, I couldn't restart it without pedaling the whole bike forward. Or rather, being a moped, that's how it was *supposed* to work- to start the engine, you start riding like a bicycle, then pull the clutch lever to spin the engine over until it starts using the bike's own momentum just as much as your leg power. For anything with an engine bigger than a moped, kickstart makes a bit more sense since you can start it without moving and you can put your full body weight into it. To make it even more silly and outdated, I re-wired the whole bike to add a battery and turn signals... To my surprise, the amazon flasher relay I had bought turned out to be the kind that beeps! So every time I put the signals on, it would beep, just like that honda. I called it a feature and got on with my life. Everyone else made fun of it though, for some reason.

The 2005 VFR800 I picked up this summer still had it's tool kit minus a couple of Allen keys. When I asked the seller about the tools he said he got the bike without, and neither of us saw one when he removed the seat. Later when I had it inspected I asked the mechanics who replied they hadn't noticed one even with the seat and all fairings off. A few days later I took the seat off to check something out, and something else caught my eye. The tool kit! It was right where it was supposed to be looking like it hadn't been touched in years. Not only did the black vinyl pouch blend in really well with the black structural member it was wedged in, but also the accumulation of dust and dirt in the under-seat compartment from years of riding had essentially camouflaged it to near invisibility. Of course it's an almost 20 year old bike. Dunno if Honda still includes a tool kit with some of their current models. Cheers!

I think you got the mechanism to use the decompression lever a bit inaccurate. I primarly used the decompression lever on my old Royal Enfield in corrlation with the Ammeter to find the TDC of piston just after spark which puts the bike at the start of the four stroke cycle. The concept is that on high capacity bikes it is difficult to compress 350 or 500 cc of air multiple times in one kick. So the gearing of kick is so designed that one kick only turns the crank twice, i.e. 1 complete four stroke cycle. The decompression lever lifts the exhaust valve making the turning of engine easy and a sharp movement of the Ammeter needle communicates that the spark has happened. Therefore finding the aforementioned TDC and setting the kick position right at the start of the 4 stroke cycle.

There are still decompression levers on dealer-bought racing motorcycles.The Go-Cart store near where I used to live still sells one. I don't remember the make or brand but, the engine is a 125cc Malossie Sport, which is a 2 stroke engine.

Decomp is still common on moped kits to allow for higher compression cylinders and still pedal as mopeds are often required to have them legally. Also toolkit is still standard for modern Vespas. Audible turn signals are also standard on some import scooter.

A decomp lever does work well. I had one on my Yamaha 426 dirt bike. It was simple to use. Drop the kick start one click down, hit the decomp, drop it two clicks, return to the top, stomp as a normal kick start

Here in India there was a pedal start moped named Luna or TVS XL which was still in production till quite recently. Also, turn signal beepers are very common and people even voluntarily get these beepers fitted on. Almost all Indian 2 wheelers still come with a tool kit as well.

Pedal starts are still a feature of motorized bike kits. And some Chinese road bikes still have turn signal beepers. mine has one, it was a small box with a tiny vent on it for the sound. I couldn't find a switch on it so I just wrapped the vent under layers of electrical tape.

This video needs a part 2! Jawa and Yezdis came with Kick starter lever that worked as gear lever too. Honda NR series had oval piston engine that never caught on. Suzuku SX85 came with factory fitted turbo.

Decompression sickness is when you get thrown over the handlebars trying to kickstart your bike.

I loved making the girls jump when I hit the decompressor lever on my kawasaki f-7. SNAKE, SNAKE!

Pedal starting is much harder than kickstarting, that's why one replaced the other. A friend of mine has a very old moped that has a pedal start, keep in mind it's a small 50cc engine, pedal starting it feels like trying to ride a bicycle with 2 other people sitting on it, trust me, much much harder!

My 1991 Honda Nighthawk 250 has the toolkit and it’s own dedicated compartment. Very convenient and retro.

Thank you another great video.

My 2016 YZF-R3 has a toolkit under the pillion seat. It’s not comprehensive by any means, but it’s enough to get you home if something comes loose

Chain cases were a highly useful component that kept abrasive sand grit off the drive chain which reduced wear greatly on the chain and sprockets and especially was good when riding off road or in the rain which quickly fouls any chain causing maintenance to be constantly needed. Why such a good feature was ever not provided on every chain drive motorcycle is a mystery.

My dad was a cop in the '60s, and he rode a Harley Davidson police bike when he was in the traffic division. They still had bikes with hand shifters, as well as newer ones with foot shifters (and Harley discontinued hand shifters in the mid sixties, IIRC). Dad liked the hand shifters better for a police bike, because radio technology had not been miniaturized to the point where they had earpieces and mikes in their helmets like motorcycle cops today. They had the same kind of radios that were in the patrol cars, with a handheld mike on a cord. Dad preferred the hand shifter, because you operated a foot clutch, and you could use the heel of your hand to push the shifter while you were holding the radio mike. This was not possible on a bike with a foot shifter, because you needed a hand free to operate the clutch on the handlebar, so you had to clip the radio mike back down onto the bike.

In India its a common add on to put beepers for your turn signals on your motorcycle