This is more of a general 2 stroke question (I think at least ),

When starting my 350's, I notice that I can start them cold start first pull with the recoil starter every single time, but if I cold start them with the starter, they take some time. What's the deal? Often times cold start I can't get them to start with the electric starter unless I am using choke, but with the recoil starter I can start them regardless of temp, choke, etc.

Just curious for my own good here, I believe this must be something to do with compression relief when using the recoil starter?


Thanks!

Jeremy

The only thing I can think of based on the way you describe it, is that when you use a starter it robs a tremendous amount of power out of the system and then the sparkplug has limited juice to fire and jump the gap.

That's actually brilliant.

If you ever get the chance, can you test if yours are the same? Would like to know if this is a "problem" or "problem by design".

Not that it bothers me, purely curious. It's been too wet to ride lately (thank God), so I just go out and start my machines once a week to keep them going.

There is snow on the ground here and in the hills so no riding for us. Also I keep my machines indoors in a heated shop so that may be a tough test for me to get. If it is of any importance, I always use the choke at first to start it the first time of the ride.
I can tell you that almost every time I tried to start the machines without the choke it was a no go.
Not sure if that helps.

Re your Electric starter verse pull start

Yes I had the same issue

OH do this before anything Check for oil in starter if so service starter and oil starter Mod, look at the power wires as there 34 years old replace if required. (( sounding like the manual ))

First
Replace the 34 years old COIL with a genuine HONDA coil NO knock off copy rubbish.

Second
Replace the battery with a higher cranking amps again a high quality not a Walmart cheppie.

I run a battery conditioner so the battery is topped up all the time but I do remove the pwr / positive from the battery when its in the shed on only connect to fire up or ride

oh yeah it getting close to buggy time.

wyeeoddy

Got to agree with everything posted above, but I'm lazy so I would start with the easy stuff first..lol
Is the spark plug old? Cheap and easy to replace.

Corroded wires and fasteners can cause a lot of resistance. As mentioned above, this could create a big enough load that it's not letting enough power get to your ignition system.

Check all the Starter, battery, and ignition connections for corrosion, check the cables for that green looking corrosion that creeps up the wires under the insulation.

Check the battery to make sure it's full of acid, most autoparts store can load test a battery for free. If you need a new battery, get one that is either a gell cell or the type where the acid turns to gell after you fill it. I like to use GS Yuasa batteries for all my bikes and buggies.

If all that doesn't do the trick, then I would start looking at the more difficult things. Like mentioned above, I wouldn't be surprised if the starter isn't either full of oil or may just need a set of brushes.
Removing the starter is a pretty involved project unless you've done it before, but it's not rocket science if you're mechanically inclined.