[CRF250XRider]

I recently bought a 2005 CRF450x that started fine the first couple of times at home using the kick starter. First time out riding this past weekend it started by the kick starter a couple of times, then the only way it would start was by towing it and clicking it into 4th or 5th gear. After it starts it runs great. Any ideas?
Back story on this bike is...
Previous owner turned it into an R, removed headlight, battery, subframe/airbox and replaced it all with R components. I restored it to X configuration prior to the first ride, plugged in all the electrics, headlight and tail light, however did not get a battery installed. Again bike started fine at home and first couple of time out riding. Also, the kick starter became really hard to use, when I did try to kick start it.
Thanks in advance.

[JimDirt]

Check the valves first (especially Intake) , also check the Decompressor adjustment , it needs to be exact , all the specs are in the Owners Manual and Honda Service Manual

It sounds like the Intakes are tightening up

[CRF250XRider]

Finally can post the resolution to this issue.

Timing was correct and valves were all within spec. The auto decompression was out of spec, so I adjusted it to spec. Bike was still very hard to kick over and would not start. Went back into the top end to check everything again. That's when I noticed the decompressor balancer weight did not have the spring on it and that the stopper plate that holds the balancer weight was incorrectly installed allowing the balancer weight to slide out. I installed the spring correctly on the balancer weight and installed the stopper plate to hold the balancer weight in correctly and now the bike kicks over like it should and starts. Problem solved!

[JimDirt]

Great !!!

Glad you got it sorted out !!!