Good point! I hadn't thought it all through (yet) - still figuring out how it all works.G-Man wrote:What was the symptoms of your kickstarter problem? The gear that surrounds the ratchet is in constant engagement so you might need to look elsewhere ...... The ratchet pawl might seem OK under hand force but could be slipping under full load. Has to be one or the other.....
Usually the kick-start will engage and work properly the first time. After the engine fires once or after the first kick, the kick-starter moves freely and quietly without resistance (except for the return spring) as if the pawl is no longer contacting the starter gear.
I have read the "250-305 Service Manual" but haven't yet figured out "When not kicked, the head part of the pawl is pushed by protruded part inside crankcase and pawl is pulled in to free gear" (Page 107) - I need to study the case to figure out how that works! I expected to find the pawl spring broken or very weak but it is not - it is very strong and the pawl engages very solidly with the gear so I have to figure out what is retracting the pawl and not letting it engage.