ATC200 recoil issue - how's it come off?

[joecool85]

I just got a 1983 ATC 200 and after pulling it over 7-8 times (and it almost starting) the rope broke, it's all old and worn out and really short. It looks like it's been "fixed" before. I tried taking it off, I removed all the bolts, and it pulls out about 1/2 - 1" from the engine and then won't come off anymore. Is there a trick to removing the recoil on these things or do I need to just pry it off with shear force? I'd like to not break it more than it already is lol.

[WaimakRydah]

Mine removed its self easily after i undid the bolts you could probably just pry it open or use brute force.

[Howdy]

The ratchet dogs are probably stuck in the out possition and causing the pull starter to be stuck. Try putting the machine in highest gear and then push it to get the motor to turn over. Once the motor spins a little it "Should" cause the dogs to go back in and the pull starter should come off easily.
Howdy

[firehart]

Does it have a compression release?

[joecool85]

Does it have a compression release?

It does have a compression release (not sure why it matters for this though....)

I'll try removing the starter after work today (if I have time), after the starter rope broke I pushed it under a tree and it was in gear for a few feet, the thing may already come off now :-)

Out of curiosity, will it start while in gear? I realized after the rope broke that it had slipped into 2nd gear while I was trying to start it/before I tried to start it.

[WaimakRydah]

I took my bike out for a trail ride yesterday and the gear shifter had ed itself and i could start it while I was in 5th by giving it a pull just as I would normally start it.

and firehart probably meant if it had a decompression cable. Pretty much every ATC200 with recoil has the decompression lever.

[joecool85]

You guys were right, I was able to get the pull start off after moving it around in gear. Unfortunetly, it has almost zero compression. Luckily, I have a big red that needs wheels/tires/gas tank/plastic off the ATC 200, so it looks like the big red will get finished and the regular 200 will get stripped and whats left will be sold cheap for parts.