125-200cc 08 cr 165 hard starting?!

Ok, I made a post previous about this.
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/165-starting-technique.36546/#post-355200

But it hasn't helped, I've tried choke on/choke off. No throttle/some throttle/alot of throttle. Cycling the motor first, then a firm kick. Heck, I can prop the bike up and kick away with no luck. Also tried kicking from tdc, a little past tdc.

Ended up breaking of my kickstart shaft. There's no way it should be this difficult to start a 165cc motor. Once its running it's great no issues whatsoever.

I have tried several new plugs, Reeds are about 10-15 hrs old, clean air filter, checked timing marks on stator. Checked spark, seems same as my dads wr125 which starts 1st kick.

As far as the lectron goes, I've tried leaning it out a 1/4 turn. Maybe I should pull the carb and check the throat cutaway clearance? Richen it up? (runs perfect as is)


I have to resolve this issue as it's driving me nuts. Pull the bike off the truck and pops wr 125 starts right away and purrs. Meanwhile I'm kicking for 10 mins while he does donuts around me.

I'll check any and all suggestions offered.

Is the compression too high ?
Maybe you need to get the head modified - lower the compression ratio
Mine starts easily

Compression is 180 psi cold. Doesn't seem bad at all.

Choke operates freely and looks good, plug seems fine, if anything a bit dry. Will go back to my original setting at 1/4 turn richer.

I was able to start it this time, took about 10 kicks.

But I found if i hit tdc compression stroke, there's a second "notch" feeling in the kickstart. If I return the starter from that point, it's way easier to cycle the motor a few revolutions. Doesn't light right up, but a few attempts got me there.

I'll try again in an hour or so. I swear I've kicked the thing 100 times in 3 rides, at every angle/approach. If this is it, I will feel dumbfounded, but happy.

I appreciate the advice guys!

check the gears from the kick mch inside all the way through to the clutch basket and make sure no chips, burrs, gouges etc.

My '09 165 got more difficult to start and got notchy feeling. It had a hard to find sweet spot and it would start. Then finally the kicker stopped working. All the gears on the clutch basket, had stripped out.

Went for a ride today, was waay better only having to kick 2-3 times.

I have to kick it like a 250f I've found out. It will not start in gear though, might try some rotella next.

Thanks guys.

In all honesty.... it's an EFM auto clutch modified, clutch basket and this is the third bike it's been on, so many, many miles!

That's relieving, I've got a spare clutch basket im hoping to peen the primary gear on when this basket gets notched.

Honestly, I'm not totally sure. I was using a new br9es plug, put in an old br9eg plug. I think after all the times I've tried kicking in different ways. I somehow missed getting it to tdc, a little more and the kicker starts getting resistance again. From there a full heavy kick or 3 and it lights up.

Keeping my fingers crossed this is the ticket.

I've noticed my bike will NOT start with the kicker if I run it dry on fuel. in other words, if you are shutting off your petcock (on lectron) and running it for any length of time, it creates a vacuum in the carb somehow (not technical, just my thoughts), and I can not for the life of me get it to start with the kicker... Same things happens when I turn gas off when I set bike down, then pick it back up to ride it, and forget to turn gas on. It will run for a couple of minutes, then die because it runs out of fuel. Only way to get it re-started is to bump it. Doesn't even need to be a solid bump start. I can do it on level ground. No idea if your situation is similar, just thought I would throw that out there.

Whats the fuel like in Canada? Some guys down here have modified their heads( Husky 195) to suit our fuel better and the raising the combustion chamber and changing the shape of the squish band. This helps starting

I'm getting better at starting my 165. Mine just likes a super hard and FAST kick. Usually going within 3-4. Sometimes 1. I like my heel to be on the lever so my foot lands squarely on the peg--this gives the lever another half inch of throw. I prefer to lean the bike on a tree. If no tree available, I will literally start the kick about 2-3 inches above the lever, landing my heel on the lever. This wind-up gets the motor spinning faster. I just rode the 165 in the Scrub Pine enduro yesterday, and it ran like a peach.

Fair enough, but I think doing this caused me to break my kickstart shaft. I suppose it would've likely happened either way. But It makes sense that it would add alot of stress to the shaft.

Ok, I've got the technique dialed. I can get a few full revolutions of the motor every kick now.

But...I'm still having problems. Last ride the bike wouldn't start for 20 min. Then suddenly came alive, my dad was arcing from the boot to plug with a screwdriver at the time. Before it started doing a spark test seemed like it was firing weak.

He thinks its a fuel issue, I don't see how it could be. Lectron float at good height, jetted darn near perfect. Funny thing is when it does this, when it finally starts it runs absolutely fine.

When the bikes hot it takes exactly 3 kicks to start everytime. Guess it doesn't pull in enough fuel initially?

Maybe I should put the mikuni back on to see if it helps...

Well that the first thing i would have done to eliminate carb .try it .
It could be electrical though. Have you checked out the coil resistance and stator readings

My 165 with lectron takes 5 kicks at most cold with the choke on. I kick it through slowly until I find "the notch" and then give it a smooth but forceful kick. More like a 4t kick than a 2t stab. Usually results in about 3 revolutions.

Once it's warm it's usually one or two kicks not doing the notch thing, even in gear with the clutch in. I give it about half throttle.

Doesn't sound electrical to me if it's just cold starts that are giving you problems. Did you check compression? Crank seals? Also you might try rotating your kicker forward a spline if you can.