Honda XR/XL Kick Start Procedure

How to get a big bore Honda going without exhausting yourself in the process.
With the invention of E-start bikes, this is becoming a lost art.
Thank goodness for electric start dirt bikes!

[mkaushalmd]

Concise and to the point without any BS, great video, Thanks

[mmaaddict]

You don't need a decompression lever at all. When you do the slow kicks and feel the resistance from top dead center, press the kicker hard until it it gives way slightly past the TDC of the stroke. Now release pressure and allow the kicker to return to the top of it's travel. You are now free to kick it over once(AND ONLY ONCE UNLESS YOU REPEAT THE PROCESS) and it will never kick back from this starting position. The trick is to only go past the hard resistance of TDC a very small distance. I've kick started my '83 XL500R wearing tennis shoes with this method many times.(Please don't ride in tennis shoes)

[wrf]

What worked for me was gas on, starter switch on, key on and slowly kick on the kickstart in full stokes until you feel the piston hit TDC. Now, pull in the decompression lever and bring that piston just past TDC with the kickstart, put decompression lever off. Throw on the choke and kick hard at the same time.

[protectork]

I have a feeling every single person making this kind of video is a troll I have read and watched maybe 20 videos with 100 different answers.

[thusithsanjeewapahalathant]

thank's Mate, Always there is someone to help !!! Very good my old boy getting start . thanks

[narcissistinjurygiver]

on these old bikes make sure your spark plug boot does not have any resistance. also get a non resistor plug. I recommend the champion 8809. fine wire low resistance new technology spark plug. Also if you are in a hot climate add an oil cooler to it.

[wasatchm]

how much work would it be to add a electric start to something like this?

[gertkristensen]

I have checked it out, , find the compression stroke and the piston will be 3/4 from tdc counterclockwise on the flywheel, ,, about halfway up in the cylinder, , you have 1/4 stroke to the top and ignition .. it is here from you must start it, , you can go 1 inch on the kickstarter more, , and start .. if you go too far you are over top, , you will feel a small pop on the kickstrater .. find the compression stroke again and go 1/2 inch on kickstarter and start here from, , newer models have auto decompressor, ,it is not the same
other have a cabel to kickstarter mekanik decomperssor

[felixmikkialmosttoasted]

Ok this makes a bit of sense
I saw others that got you to TDC and went the next notch beyond.
If you flick the comp lever at the same time gives that one extra click

Although i have bruised my foot and torn my boot last weekend from what i have seen before

[wildatlanticman]

How do you know when it's top dead

[skarekrw]

Update, now over a month off work, sent in for CT scans, specialists.... Hospital bills, and although I can walk again, my foot was broken in 2 places, the impact went right through the bone. It's a bit sore at times, stiff, but better. What would even cause that? I've heard several things, including Headlight wired wrong, timing is off, Stator is bad, CDI, Coil malfunction... It will run but not with out a fight. I lost the last round, obviously, but I'm not giving up.

[saigacommander]

Hi, i have an 84 xl 250..and when i kick start it the kick back from the kick start from the engine compression is painful and frequent..should my 84 xl 250 have a decompression lever the same as the big bore singles..please help...my ankle is about to break..

[bigbelconut]

It's even easier then that. Bring it to top dead center without compression release slowly push kicker down till you feel a notch, kick it to start. Mine starts 1 kick every time.

[taylorpecknold]

is that Boards of Canada playing in the background?

[skarekrw]

Mine kicked back and broke my ankle. Trip to the hospital, xrays, crutches, a walking boot and a week off of work... Yes, it is more than enough to hurt you.

[GoogleAntichrist]

What headlight/faring assembly is that? Didn't think the ft500 came with a faring.

[CBRRR-ehky]

But there is two top dead centers mate. How do you make the difference and identify top dead center compression?

[flhxri]

I just kicked mine and it started every time, I never used the lever.

[stephenwaite]

yea I didnt use the decompression and broke the spindle in half ...

[RenoLaringo]

After 35yrs+ of riding and sure enough wounds I can tell you there is NO way I would ever get back on one of those old big bore single cylinder ankel breakers....ever ! Electric starters or you can keep the bike. Enough of it !