1997 FX600E kick start activated decompression system

I had always thought that the factory just forgot to install the kick start activated decompression system in this bike. I just assumed that someone forgot to drill the hole in the case by the kick starter for the lever and the next person down the line just let it go. Now I am not so sure. Upon studying the parts manual it appears that the e-start left hand crankcase does not have those parts listed. Can anyone confirm this? The bike is impossible to kick start. What was the factory thinking? Am I missing something? (other than parts) The only decompression system this bike has is the auto. Is this bike a fluke or are all 97 e-start models this way?




A nut and hex screw was placed where the decompression valve lifter should be. The only hint that something is missing is the manual decompression cable holder just sitting there doing nothing (waiting for a cable).

Thanks for the reply gents. I can't beleve that this is "normal" but it must be.

I cannot even budge the kick start lever. The e-start has been almost completely reliable except for the starter relay going out. I may try to at least hook up a handlebar mounted decompression lever.

Had the rocker cover off and sure enough the autodecompression device spring has seen better days. The weight just flops over when you spin the motor. As a side note the adjustment screws in the rocker arms lost 3 of the swival faces that contact the valves when I pulled the cover off.