Finally got it running today
after fixing major leak from water pump due to rotted magnesium seal housing and leaking plastic hose connector to the barrel. Ended up replacing the mag clutch housing with an alloy one. She don't leak anymore
After all the stories of being b*stard's to start it wasn't too bad after all. Hand off the throttle and using the kickstart operated decomp device it starts reasonably easily. Once moved past the majority of the comp stroke it kicks over quite nicely. Cold it wouldn't start for me with the choke on. Had to turn it off after a shitload of kicking before it would start. Hot it only needs the choke to prime it for a few kicks and then turn choke off and it will start.
Motor seems to get damn hot though. Even being water cooled. Hoses perilously close to the pipes also. Have wrapped pipe in fiberglass tape to protect.
Faak the engine breaking is wicked. Quite different to my 2 stroke autos! Going to be interesting swapping between them on a race day
Will these four strokes catch on with the racing public I wonder