So my 06 ltz 400 has the valve spring upgrade kit and a high compression pston in it. everything is pretty new, had it done about 7-8 months ago but hardly any ride time. anyways it seems its always been kinda hard to start or turn over i guess is a better way to put it. I just thought it was the compression and let it go. battery checks out perfect, but when i push the starter button its like the compression is so much it barely wants to turn over but when it does she cranks. well last week i went out to start it and things got worse, it will start but it takes awhile, lots of cranking it over and what appears to be happening is the starter sounds like its just spinning freely, which is weird cause it doesnt have a bendix atleast from what i can tell. so i put the bike in gear move it alittle back and fourth and try to restart this time it turns over really tough and then bam she cranks. once i get it warmed up 89% of time she'll start right back up, but every now and again it will have the same symptoms...agghhhhhh its very annoying, should have left the stock piston in it, i know that much.. so what gives, battery again checks out perfect, all electrical connections are solid. i pulled the gears out where the starter is and all looked ok???? please shed some light.. im thinking its either in the crank case or top end? timing?

the stock cams have a compression release so you should be fine there, unless you forget cams in your post and sig. Sounds like your starter clutch is on its last leg. You say the starter almost just free-spins right?

The bike has the stock cams, but even before this it would be really hard to crank, just seemed as if it had to much compression. just recently did the starter start free spinning??

I would check your valve clearance and while you have the valve cover off it wouldn't hurt to double check the timing, but its probably fine. With the stock cams no matter what compression piston you have it should still start as easy as stock.

ltz cams dont have the best compression release around..... even the aftermarket ones, and the ltz motor loves high compression but the starter is not meant for it. do you know what you have for compression?

Moved

Did you look at the date on the last reply, before you posted? Or do you just like digging up old threads?