I bought a 95 kawasaki bayou 300. It's ran fine for about two months. As the weather got colder it got harder to start. The last time I tried the electric start a couple times and it wouldn't go so I tried pull starting it and got it going. That's the last time it ran. Since then I've tried a few times and it won't go. It seems to kinda backfire a bit while it's turning over. Tonight I took another try at it and pushed the compression release up while turning it over. As the lever fell down it actually started for about 5 sec. The fuel is premium with a storage additive. The air filter is clean. With the plug out I put my finger over the hole and when I turned it over the compression forced my finger off ( I know that's not the best compression test but can't get an adapter for the tester till tomorrow). Any advice is appreciated. I want to try anything else before pulling it apart to check the valve clearance. I also tried a shot of starter fluid last week with no difference.

 

Just start at the basics. Change the plug if you haven't already,check that you have good spark with the plug grounded to the head.Load test the battery,make sure the connection are tight. Check valve clearance,then check compression.If all of this checks out,then head for the carb.Best to install a cheap carb kit if you go to the trouble of tearing one apart.http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-KLF-300-BAYOU-CARB-CARBURETOR-REBUILD-KIT-2X4-2WD-89-95-/190788006413?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6bd9f20d&vxp=mtr