I just completed an engine swap with a known running engine. I just bolted on the cylinder head and when I try and pull the recoil starter it is really hard to pull the first quarter of the way up then it it gets much easier for the last 3/4 of the pull. When I remove the spark plug it pulls really easy and no binding for the whole pull. I was wondering if this is normal or If I may have something binding somewhere in the chain or sprocket? I appreciate any input...

 

Well...you're not proving much info so posting a reply is tough...without a doubt the pull on a recoil starter will be much easier once the plug is removed because there will be no compression in the cylinder...I'd be more concerned if the pull was easy with the plug in! So, without a whole lot to go on, it sounds like you are experiencing a completely normal situation with regards to the recoil starter...

 

sounds normal. when your comming up on a compression stroke it will be harder to pull then on the way down it gets easier until the next compression stroke