Kickstarting difficulty

[Nerdy Norm]

I'm finding it very difficult to kickstart my engine! I mean that the pressure I need to exert on the kickstart seems a lot more than normal. I'm a 13-odd stone fella, so I don't normally have any trouble starting my scooters, but for this one I have to put all my weight on the lever in order to move it. Once the lever moves, it starts first or second kick and runs fine.

The top end is a standard iron 150 barrel, rebored by Rayspeed to 175, and fitted with a new SIL (Rayspeed-supplied) head. The squish seems OK, at just under 1.5mm, and I've had the head off to check that the piston is moving freely.

Any ideas chaps?

[tonydevon]

fuel tap off? is it flooding while parked?

[Nerdy Norm]

I normally turn the fuel off when parked, but I've had no problems with running whatsoever.

[garry inglis]

is the kickstart when pressed connecting on 1st gear straight away usually there is abit of play on pushing down first then the piston hits 1st gear which then starts the scoot i would take kickstart off and down one or two teeth to release some pressure on the kick start piston

[Nerdy Norm]

I fitted the lever on the splines so that it engages pretty much immediately it's pressed (no loose bit at the top if its travel). I figured that it would give the engine more of a turn, rather than wasting the first couple of inches of travel.

Are you saying that those first couple of "loose" inches help the starting process?

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[Daggs]

Simple test mate. Take the spark plug out and see if it kicks easily. If so, it sounds like exceptionally good compression.

[garry inglis]

depending how the piston was set up to engage it just might be to stiff when starting from the top thats why i said try moving it round one or two splindes just give it ago it only takes two mins just for peice off mind before something snaps inside usually 50 miles from home

[Nerdy Norm]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it turns over a lot easier with the plug out, but I'll double-check.

[garry inglis]

you will sort it out norm

[Nerdy Norm]

Right, checked it out. With the plug out, I can move the lever with my hand, so it seems like I've just got high compression. Is this a problem? Could it be because I've only done a couple of hundred km after a rebore and new piston? It's running fine, but I'm having to use my left foot as I think I've managed to damage my right ankle from the pressure!