For anyone with a pull/recoil start machine:
How much resistance is there when pulling? Is it like a lawnmower?

 

I have a 96 KQ which has a recoil starter as a back-up. I have only used it once or twice to demonstrate it's use to novices. Yes, it's similar to a good sized lawn mower. On the KQ, however, the compression release must be re-set after each pull. I'd hate to have to use it when the weather was very cold as it probably would require several pulls, resets, etc. before it fired up.
If you're referring to a recoil starter as the primary system, I'd think that it either would be an older, smaller sized engine or a kid's quad with less compression so it probably wouldn't have a compression release, being unnecessary.

 

I did mean the back up. I have a friend who did not know his Honda 300 had a compression relief switch and he was telling me how hard it was to kick start it. I asked him about the valve and he said, "what valve"? LOL He almost broke his leg! His starter was broken.

 

Good story, TxDoc2!

Reminds me of the one about the lumberjack who bought a new-fangled chain saw, took it to the woods to try it out, then brought it back to the store within a week, claiming it stopped cutting very efficiently.

The store clerk said, "Let's take a look," then fired up the engine.

The lumberjack said, "What's that sound?"

Tree Farmer

P.S. If the compression release isn't used on an ATV engine, I can imagine damaging the manual starter, if not the individual attempting to start the engine--the kick-back can be FIERCE.

T.F.

 

I have been thrown off my old 84'XR500R with a high comp pistion when starting it.. litterly threw me 10 feet away from the bike. My friends 99' Kodiak 400 can be easly pull started if you slowly pull it threw the cycles and get it to top dead center (just after the compresson stroke) before pulling hard.
Joe

 

I no longer own anything with a comp release but I used to have a Quadsport 230. Exactly how is the comp release supposed to work? Do you hold the lever or pull it in and let go of it? On that old thing, if you pulled the lever and let go of it it wouldnt come all the way out till after 3 or 4 kicks. I always started it without it, first start was usually pretty easy but if it died on you while hot, youd have to have help kicking that darned thing.

 

My 300 has a switch on the right side of the engine that you flip forward. When you kick start it, the switch automatically returns to position.

 

Greetings,

Well, I know you aren't especially interested in backup pull starters, but its my favorite thing to complain about. While waiting for the recall parts for my 450ES, I had to pull start that thing for months. Not too bad when it and the weather were warm, but in the cold, it was a real drag. I'd have to stop and rest after a few pulls. On several occasions I found that I had made up some brand new swear words. And adding insult to injury, the knuckle on the middle finger of my right hand has become permanently enlarged.

 

On machines with a recoil pull started, I've had nothing but back luck. I've broken more ropes that I can count. The one time I was on my old '84 Honda 200S. In the middle of a bad snow storm. The rope broke. At the time, It wouldn't hold an idle because the carb was screwed up and had a bad secondary clutch, which made it almost impossible to catch in gear. After about a half hour of pushinhg it down a feild it finally got goin. The one on my big bear won't even recoil at this time.

 

rember to take up the slack before giveing it a hard pull or you will break the rope. To aid starting when pulling, I always use full choke half throttle.