The Cannonball StealthStarter system converts your classic kickstart-only motorcycle to an electric start, making it ideal for riders looking for the convenience of a motorcycle electric start conversion kit . After installation, you simply push the button or turn the key to fire up your classic Big Twin, keeping the vintage feel with modern ease.
NOTE: If you do not have the experience necessary to install this kit, we recommend that you take it to a professional mechanic at a shop that specializes in vintage Harley-Davidsons!
The Cannonball StealthStarter kit (SSK) electric start system bolts directly between the kicker cover and transmission case. The stock kick starter can be retained. Due to the system’s low profile, only 19 mm wide construction the overall appearance of your motorcycle will remain virtually unchanged. Primary drive, primary housing and oil tank will stay untouched.
Installation is fairly easy and straightforward. The kit includes everything needed for the conversion except for the extended throwout bearing, battery, wires and starter button/switch.
If your bike still has the early stock 6 V electrical system, you will need to convert it to a 12 V system, which is necessary for the Cannonball electric starter. Depending on the configuration some other options are available separately.
In order to use this starter you must convert your original 6V electrical system to 12V. This means updating your generator. We offer either the Cycle Electric DGV-5000L or the DGV-5000LH . The “L” designation is required for using a lithium battery (such as an Antigravity 12-cell AG-1201 or 16-cell AG-1601 lithium battery) which is what is recommended for the Stealthstarter. The DGV-5000L has threads for 5/16”-24 mounting bolts. The "H" option generator will have threads for the original 1/4”-24 generator bolts used when the bike was built. Over the years many of these bikes have had the holes for mounting the generator to the engine drilled out to 5/16” so please check what diameter generator hardware holes your engine has before ordering your new generator.
Since the kicker cover moves 19 mm to the right the following modifications may be necessary:
A stock 2-1 exhaust system will have to be routed slightly outward to compensate for the offset of the kicker cover.
A longer clutch release lever will be necessary on rod actuated configurations like Mousetraps or Footclutch. A longer lever can be ordered separately if needed.
An extended throwout bearing MUST be ordered separately for your type of clutch pushrod since the stock pushrod will be 19 mm too short.
A longer brake crossover shaft will be necessary on all bikes using the original mechanical rear brake in conjunction with the original 2-1 or similar exhaust. A longer crossover shaft can be ordered separately if needed.
Original rear fenders need to be slightly dented for starter motor clearance. Alternatively, an aluminum “Dent” Fender Insert can be ordered separately. In this case the fender needs to be cut out to allow the “dent” to be mounted with the original lower fender mount bolt and the two oil tank/battery tray bolts.
Note: There are no returns on carburetors, electrical items, full frames, hardtails or made-to-order items (such as magnetos) unless there is a manufacturer’s defect.
CAUTION! Start in neutral only!
Just like on a kickstart system, the Cannonball SSK System starts the engine by turning the transmission mainshaft. And just like on a kickstart system you MUST NEVER actuate the starter with the bike in gear. If you do so the starter motor will move the bike forcefully forward even if the clutch is disengaged.
The Stealth Starter Kick Drive is designed for stock or nearly stock engines. High compression, big inches and kickback due to wrong ignition timing can destroy the gears.
This can be avoided however by wiring the starter button through the neutral switch, which is highly recommended.
Read more
