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Hey brains trust, my 250 Monza gave the most vicious kickback a few years ago and my heel hurt for a year, I'm sure there was a bone broken. And then a while back I spent an hour kicking it and couldn't get it to start. What's the best electronic ignition for these? I want something with no advance when starting, and that makes it easy to start. Thanks.

The answer is that you need to improve kick start technique. I think this was in recent post with some very good advice.

Kick starting it for an hour with no result (even another kickback) would suggest to me that there is something actually wrong with the engine or its ancillaries .......is there a spark?, is there fuel getting into the engine?, is there compression? will it start and run properly with a push start?......its only a fairly low compression 250cc engine with mild valve timing, a vicious kickback I would suggest is a bit out of character for a little monza.......first thing I would do is check for a good spark and then check the ignition timing.
Cheers,
George

OK thanks. it has fuel, compression, and a fat blue spark. I'll check the timing.

I have carefully read advice re kick start technique, but if you can point me to the latest I'd be grateful.

However, the thing is, I started it, and it ran fine. My brother came round and decided to ride it around the backyard, but he stalled it. We each then spent an hour trying to get it going again. Cleaned the plug, checked the spark etc, then cursed it and gave up.

A standard Monza should have lttle advance when kickstarting so it would not normally kick back. As said, something wrong. I am surprised you still have an intact kickstart as they are weak anyway. Fix it before you wreck it ,and find how difficult it is to replace broken parts.

Check the condenser ........in fact replace the condenser.
Cheers,
George

Sounds like your ignition timing is too advanced.
I run elektronik sasche ignitions on all of my bikes. Had one on the Monza the past year and it's the best upgrade I could have done. https://www.elektronik-sachse.de/shopsy ... 0-450.html
The only "technique" needed is to get it on a compression stroke and kick once. You can do primer kicks if you want but I've never once found it necessary.

Cooperplace, you said you would check the ignition timing.
Did that involve finding out what the timing was?

A new, electronic ignition system is a nice thing if affordable, and you could forget about all the possible troubles your points system could have.
But if you threw out your existing ignition system and replaced it with a complete identical one with all new components, it would likely also result in easy starting - as long as required adjustments are set properly.

You probably don't need to do either, because you are getting kickbacks, which means sparks are happening.
You just need to get them to happen when needed.

In your position, I would first inspect the auto-advance mechanism for correct type, condition and operation.
Then install it in the proper orientation (not 180 degrees out).
Then refit the points plate and set the required points gap.
Follow the factory advice on setting ignition timing.
No need to change the alternator rotor position, as you have a battery powered ignition system.
Ensure the battery is charged, and replace fuel tank contents with fresh (just in case!), before attempting to start.

To answer the question the OP asked: I put an Electrex on my Mk 3 from Nigel. Flawless.

Well, a few months ago I put an Electrex system into a friend's 250 SCR. A thread with a report was posted here.
During the installation procedure, I myself kickstarted the bike without any backfiring, for many times. But my friend's first kicking attempt ended in a desaster. The SCR fired back heavily, and he in turn suffered for severeal weeks from pain in his left foot. He did not know the technique how to kick-start a single safely and effectively. But I of course do, since more than 45 years.

Hans