Question:
Answer:
Next, remove the right side engine cover, taking care not to damage the gasket. Slightly loosen the engine cover and run a razor blade under the gasket. When you are ready to pull the cover off, push in on the kick start shaft {Kick Axle # 1} with your thumbs, so that the cover slides over the shaft. You want the shaft to remain in the engine when the cover comes off. If the oil seal {#10} does not stay in the cover, remove it now.
When looking at the kicker shaft, you will see that there is a sleeve {#6} inside the spring {#5}. Slide out the sleeve, noting the placement of the notches. Remove the spring {#5} and replace. Reinstall the sleeve with the notches in the same orientation as they were when you removed it.
Reinstall the oil seal, engine cover, kick starter & nut. Replace the oil.
I advise you to do it this way to save yourself a lot of time and hassle. By maintaining pressure on the kick start shaft while you remove the engine cover, you avoid having to realign the kicker gears in the engine to reinsert the shaft. Which is no easy task in the YZ490.
Leave YZ490 Kick Start and go to Yamaha Motorcycles