You just reminded me of something.
In the Spring of 2019 I was leaving Home Depot and I saw a guy, probably mid-60’s kick starting his old Harley. In the time it took me to walk to my truck and load everything from the cart into the bed that guy must have kicked that bike 40-50 times.
I walked over and asked him if he needed any help. He snarled at me and I kid you not he said “Why don’t you mind your owned (blanking) business!”
My first thought was to clock the guy but then I remembered the parking lot cameras.
I said “I will ***hole. By the way, it’s 85 degrees now. It’ll be 90 soon. Good luck.” And I walked away.
I got home and realized I forgot the screws I needed and headed back to Home Depot.
That guy was sitting sideways on his bike seat. Kickstand down. I walked over. He was sweating profusely.
I asked again “Would you like some help?”
To my surprise he apologized for being a jerk and said he was letting it rest as it was flooded. He had pulled the plugs and was letting things dry.
I went back into the store and got my screws and a couple of other things.
When I walked out the guy was just getting ready to try again. It started on the second kick but when it did it coughed and that kick lever slammed that guys foot so hard I am sure it broke something. He let out a yell and kind of hopped about a bit after jumping off the bike. He leaned on the seat and started to pull his boot off and I yelled “Don’t do that. Your foot will swell up and you won’t get your boot back on.”
He acknowledged with a thumbs up, jumped on his bike and took off.
Made me appreciate electric start.
I have had my foot slammed with a Harley kick lever. Man, does that hurt.
