86 TRX350 kicker kicking back!

Thanks for the reply Retro.
When i first bought this thing, it ran but the kicker was doing this already.
The compression release cable was loose, so i set it 1-3 mm according to the manual at TDC on the compression stroke. I adjusted the valves then too.
Yup when i had the stator cover off I didn’t notice anything out of order but I didn’t even touch the flywheel.

Hmm back to the manual

I’ll reinspect the decompression lever and cable. The PO had it loose so evidently may have been having same problem. It’s like the decomp isn’t working

I will also check the woodruff key. It’s visible with the stator removed? The darn thing was hard to start but ran pretty well—I originally thot carburetor and fuel.

I think i was kicking the lever too far down because i had the footpeg off. My foot was going down even with the footbrake lever and I think it doesn’t like that at all.
I put the footpeg back on and it seems to cycle great now. My leg is nearly healed up now lols.

Ok Could i have rebuilt the starter incorrectly or maybe it’s toast?

The starter spins and in the correct direction (i think) without the starter reduction gears but cannot turn the engine with the gears installed. It whines like it’s spinning but definitely not turning the engine. I’m not gonna run the starter with the gear cover off and risk breaking stuff.

The reduction gears lock into the flywheel one direction and idle in the other. The starter can’t run backwards without reversing polarity, right?