honda kickstarters slipped for years and years before they fixed the design fully - most annoying. its normally not due to breakage of teeth or anything structural, more often due to the inadequate design of kickstarter cogs. you got to get just enough speed when first rotating the kicker to get the first cog to throw out far enough to engage the one that engages the clutch basket - but not so quick that it does the opposite - spins against the face of the teeth and don't engage at all. once worn, best to spin it first by hand till engages then kick. honda normally gets mech design right, but not with this one.
