GS450 kick start question

[tkent02]

4) pull decompression lever (it should stick in (I think he means out))
5) slowly press kick-starter only until level pops back out (I think he means in)

He's correct, in is in, out is out. It sounds exactly like the DR 350.

[koolaid_kid]

O.K., so how do you pull it in?
I'll correct it.

[treejay]

This video shows it well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJWyRuxgG1Y&feature=related

Tempted to go back out and try it. The guy selling it probably thinks I'm a fool.

[tkent02]

He didn't quite do it right. Push the kickstart lever until the compression release lever snaps back out, then stop and give it a full stroke from there.

[treejay]

I noticed that discrepancy. I wasn't sure who had it right. The guy in the video did his final "kick" with the compression lever pulled in. But the instructions listed here have the compression lever in the out position, having clicked out by itself after having past TDC.

Thanks for the info.

[terrylee]

what's a compression lever? my son's 79 850 doesn't have that? terrylee

[tkent02]

what's a compression lever? my son's 79 850 doesn't have that? terrylee

It doesn't have a single 450cc cylinder with enough kick to crack the cases around the crankshaft bearing, either.

[tkent02]

But the instructions listed here have the compression lever in the out position, having clicked out by itself after having past TDC.

Thanks for the info.

This is correct, at least on the DR 350.

[hillsy]

OK - so we're talking about a big single here and not a 450 twin? Quite a different story....

I know my XT500 won't start if you don't know the technique (turn motor over to full compression, then pull in de-comp lever and turn motor just past this point, then an almighty kick...)

And if you try and kick the XT half-heartedly it will spit you off without any mercy...

[tkent02]

And if you try and kick the XT half-heartedly it will spit you off without any mercy...

Hmmm, the XT 600 I just sold was a puss to kick compared to the DR 350.