How many kicks to start

[Short-edd]

My 2nd question on the forum;
I’ve have this 84 xt600 for around 5 months, (IF she starts) she runs very well, but no matter how I try it takes around 25 to 30 kicks and suddenly she fires-up, I’m 64 and 5ft 6in, for me Its like climbing a shire horse and by the time she starts I need to lie down for 20 minutes.
I have tried various starting “Methods/techniques/ knacks” as read on the forum/u-tube etc, everyone else seems to start theirs with 2 to 3 kicks.
To try and improve the starting I’ve had the Carbs serviced, new coil, good spark, compression fine, fresh fuel, new battery, choke working ok and still no joy, is it me or is this the nature of the beast.
(Once started and warm, she will burst into life with one soft kick).
I’m hoping someone else has had the same trauma, and found a solution they are willing to share.
Edd.

[55W1985]

Hi
Look ,on my case before the resto was done this was my first big bore kick bike,so i didnt know exactly how to do this propperly.
In the best case i got a 2-3 kicks at random and that thing started.Then after the resto was done the bike still started the same but after 20 min she died.No spark anymore.So we repaird the pick up coil.
In the process a friend told me how to do it propperly.
Since then its 1Kick all times!
If you have good spark,compression and fuel could it be the starting jet on the carb?Or the air cut off membran?
Or your kick power?????

[Short-edd]

I checked the membrane and its ok,
but I don’t know what or where the starting jet is located?
I have plenty of kick power (just not 30 in a row).

[xtzrick]

Does your bike have a fuel pump?

If it does try connecting the carb directly to the tank, bypassing the pump, make sure the tank is over half full & see how many kicks it takes to start.

Rick

[marcm]

Mine always takes quite a few kicks if its been stood up a while,but when being used on a daily basis usualy goes within a couple of goes.if they've been upside down when hot you maybe there some time..but they will always go and your never gonna be stuck in ditch with a flat battery..off road bikes with no kickstart scare the hell out of me

[Mezo]

Its an 84 so no fuel pump, listen to what advice Karl gives you.

MEZO.

[Eric66]

Both of mine are the same, 20-30 kicks, once warm very easy to start.I have been through the carb's, checked spark etc, I rode one of these bikes for 10 yrs previously and know how to start them.Now I am thinking maybe the pick up coils are getting tired, they have a 2 stage pick up that has a retarded lower rev range for starting and then it advances for higher revs. I am wondering if the lower ignition timing is not working properly or is intermittent, my next option is to get the pick up coil rewound.
Regards Eric

[Short-edd]

Success, now starts in 4 to 6 kicks, removed carbs and found the mixture jet was fully closed, turned the jet out by 2 and a half turns and bingo, fair frightened myself when she burst into life.
The crank to air box breather pipe was split and damaged so I have replace it with a clamp on filter,
don’t know if this will cause any issues (other than the additional noise that’s appeared).
Many thanks for the advice.

[xtrider]

Mine right now will start the first hard kick every time cold, the method I use is to turn the choke on full, DON'T turn the key on, NO THROTTLE, then I just smoothly kick it through the cycle 3-4 times, not a hard kick, just a fast push. Then I return the kicker to top after I hear the "click" of the decompressor(TDC), turn the ignition on and then one hard kick and she fires up everytime, NO THROTTLE EVER while starting cold. While technically I kick it 5 times, only the one am I actually exerting any energy. Now to start it hot, forget it, I have to either restart it within 3-4min after shutting it off or wait 15-20min, then choke and just a tad of throttle it fires up first kick then. Gotta love that '80 technology

[Short-edd]

80s technology, I know what you mean, I have a VFR 800 & a ZZR1100, just push a button and go anywhere, but when I open the garage I’m strangely drawn to the XT.
I know she will give me a hard time but I can’t help myself, I seem to have a more engaging /fun time on the old girl (at my age, it’s the same with women).
Edd.