=c.= The procedure outlined below is preparatory to starting either cold, warm, or hot engine:

(1) Place gear shifter lever in “N” (neutral) position (fig. 8).

(2) See that gasoline shut‐off valve is open (fig. 5).

(3) Engage clutch (fig. 7).

(4) Spark control (left) grip must be turned inward to fully advanced position, or nearly so.

(5) Foot starter crank may travel 1/2 way downward before starting engine. See that a full vigorous starter stroke is used. A vigorous kick, using a full swing (not a jab) of right leg and hip, is correct engine starting practice.

7. STARTING THE ENGINE.

=a.= Procedure for starting cold, warm, or hot motorcycle engines differs. Therefore, following instructions are used with paragraph 6 c to cover correct procedure in all three cases.

=b. Starting Cold Engine.= When vehicle has not been operated for some time, and engine is normally cold, follow progressive procedure for easiest starting.

(1) Set carburetor choke lever in full upward (closed) position.

(2) Open throttle wide by turning right grip inward as far as it will go.

(3) Prime cylinders by operating foot starter crank one or two strokes.

(4) Set carburetor choke lever in 1/4 to 1/2 closed position for mild weather starting: 3/4 closed (or leave fully choked) for extremely cold weather starting. CAUTION: It is only in extremely cold weather that engine may start best with choke fully closed, and even then it will have to be moved from this position immediately after engine is started.

(5) Set throttle (right) grip to slightly open position.

(6) Turn ignition switch on, first right position.

(7) Start engine with vigorous strokes of foot starter crank.

(8) When engine starts, set throttle for moderate idling speed for warming up, or until ready to set vehicle in motion. Do not race engine unnecessarily.

(9) After engine warms up, and misfires due to an overrich mixture, gradually move choke lever downward. After engine has thoroughly warmed up, move choke lever to fully open (downward) position.

=c. Starting Warm Engine.= Following instructions apply to engine when halfway between hot and cold. With engine in this condition, carburetor choking must be handled cautiously.

(1) Lift choke lever to first upward position from normal (1/4 closed).

(2) Set throttle (right) grip to fully closed (outward) position.

(3) Operate foot starter crank one or two strokes.

(4) Set throttle grip to between 1/4 and 1/3 open position.

(5) Turn ignition switch on.

(6) Start engine with vigorous strokes of foot starter crank.

(7) Soon after engine starts, choke lever must be moved to fully open (downward) position.

(8) Turn throttle grip to control idling speed of engine.

=d. Starting Hot Engine.= If engine has been shut off for only a brief period and is near normal operating temperature, it is not necessary to use carburetor choke lever. With some engines, depending upon carburetor condition and adjustment, hot starting is easier and more dependable if foot starter crank is operated one stroke before turning ignition switch on.

(1) Close throttle grip by turning fully outward.

(2) Turn ignition switch on.

(3) Operate foot starter crank to start engine.

(4) When hot engine does not start readily after two or three strokes of the foot starter crank, it is usually due to an overrich (flooded) condition, and the proper procedure then is to open throttle wide so that more air can enter: close throttle quickly after engine starts. CAUTION: After engine has warmed up to a normal operating temperature, do not allow engine to stand idling for longer than a 1 minute interval.

=e. Starting Engine with Dead Battery.= See paragraph 12.

=f. Behavior of Instrument Panel Signal Lights.= Function of generator (green) signal light depends upon action of cut‐out relay; engine oil pressure (red) signal light depends upon action of oil feed pump. Rider must, therefore, thoroughly understand operating characteristics of both signal lights to judge condition of generator‐battery circuit and pressure in engine oil circulating system.

(1) When ignition light switch is turned to first (right) position, preparatory to starting engine, both green and red signal lights should go on. CAUTION: When switch is turned on, immediately after engine has been primed by cranking, red (oil pressure) signal light may not light at once, but will light after a few seconds, due to oil pressure built up by cranking, and is most likely to be noticed in cold weather.

(2) With engine started and running at medium idling speed, both signal lights should go off. CAUTION: Should oil pressure (red) signal light fail to go off at speeds above idling, conditions must be brought to attention of unit mechanic.

(3) At slow idle speed, or under approximately 20 miles per hour road speed (in high gear), generator (green) signal light will normally flash on and off, because at that speed generator voltage output is very low and unsteady. CAUTION: Should generator (green) signal light fail to go off at speed above approximately 20 miles per hour, generator is either not charging at all, or its current output is not up to normal, and generator should be given attention at once.

8. STOPPING THE ENGINE.

=a.= Stop engine only by turning ignition and light switch to off (straight‐ahead) position, to prevent discharge of battery through spark coil primary circuit.

9. OPERATION OF VEHICLE.

=a. Starting on Level Ground.= The engine having been warmed up and checked for satisfactory operation, the vehicle (with operator in riding position) is put in motion as follows:

(1) Transfer body weight to right leg.

(2) Fold back side stand (jiffy stand).

(3) Disengage clutch by depressing clutch foot pedal with heel of left foot.

(4) Shift gear shifter lever into “1” (low) gear position.

(5) Slowly engage clutch by depressing clutch foot pedal with toe of left foot.

(6) When clutch starts to “take hold,” open throttle sufficiently to maintain engine speed.

(7) Accelerate gradually to between 12 and 15 miles per hour in low gear.

(8) Close throttle quickly.

(9) Disengage clutch.

(10) Shift through “N” (neutral) position into “2” (second) gear.

(11) Reengage clutch and accelerate to about 25 miles per hour.

(12) Close throttle quickly.

(13) Disengage clutch.

(14) Shift into “3” (high) gear.

(15) Reengage clutch and accelerate to desired speed.

=b. Starting on Uneven or Soft Ground.=

(1) If standing on an incline or in loose, heavy ground, more engine power will be required to start vehicle without stalling engine.

(2) It may be necessary to keep vehicle from rolling by keeping pressure on front brake hand lever. Brake pressure is released after vehicle starts in forward motion.

(3) Open throttle and engage clutch at same time to provide power needed for starting, without racing engine unnecessarily.

(4) Motorcycle starts should be made without excessive application of power, with consequent unnecessary spinning of rear wheel.

10. DRIVING PRECAUTIONS.

=a.= Practice will enable a rider to judge at what rate of speed the motorcycle should be moving before he shifts from a lower to higher gear, and engine should never be permitted to labor unduly, when a shift of gears, higher to lower, would improve operation.

(1) Operator must not look down at gear shifter when shifting gears, but keep his eyes on the road ahead. Do not ride the clutch. The operator’s foot should rest on clutch foot pedal only when he is operating it. When shifting gears, disengage clutch fully to avoid gear damage and shifting difficulties. CAUTION: Many transmissions are ruined through failure to disengage clutch fully when shifting gears.

=b. Braking.= Rear wheel service brake must be in such condition that medium‐hard application will cause rear wheel to lock. Application of service brake should be gradual, with just enough force to accomplish desired result.

(1) Auxiliary front wheel brake, when used in conjunction with service brake, must be applied with caution, especially on wet, muddy, or slippery roads.

(2) After passing through water, the brakes should be set slightly, and the vehicle operated for a short distance, until sufficient heat has been generated to dry the brakes.

=c. Avoid Low Gear Operation.= Always operate vehicle in highest gear possible, consistent with tactical situation, speed required, power required, and kind and nature of road substance, to prevent overheating of engine.

=d. High Speed Tips.= Only experienced riders should indulge in high‐speed riding. A motorcycle operated for long distances at high speed must be given closer than ordinary attention to avoid serious engine overheating with consequent damage. For better motorcycle service, apply the following suggestions:

(1) Develop habit of frequently snapping throttle shut for an instant when running at high speed. This draws additional lubrication to piston and cylinder and assists in cooling engine.

(2) In cool weather, operate engine slowly until it is thoroughly warmed up, to avoid damage to pistons, rings, cylinders, and other parts before oil is warm enough to circulate freely.