I agree with the hard to start part. I stripped a starter gear early on. The kick starter engages with a gear on the end of the crankshaft. Inboard of this gear is a pair of spring loaded teeth and three one way cogs. I stripped these to the point where I could no longer attempt starting. That is when I came up with electric starting. I have since found spare parts (in an old shed in Warrnambool) and I can kick start it if it stalls once hot.
