why is the pull start on my pocket bike so tough?

i just got a cheap 49cc pocket dirt bike and the pull start was plastic and would warp and jam every time i tried to pull it hard so i couldn’t get it started then i borrowed my friends metal pull start off his bike and broke the string a few times and then finally got it started and i was able to brake it in. it ran and idled fine. i starts up fine but its just ridiculously hard to pull. when the spark plug is out it is super easy to pull. and with the spark plug in if i pull the cord slowly it doesn’t jam i one spot or anything it will just slowly come out, but when i reef on it its just friggin hard and i have to pull it fast enough to get it started. in the last 3 days since i got it i broke the plastic pull start, snapped the string 3 times on the metal one, cracked the pull start handle in half and i have blisters on my hands and both my arms are sore. so im wondering if this could be because its still new or if there’s something wrong with the engine or somethings not adjusted right. oh and when i didn’t have the gap set right for the spark plug and it wouldn’t start once i flooded the engine it got as easy to pull as it should be for a while. im using 30 parts premium gas and 1 part two stroke engine oil.

There is probably nothing seriously wrong with your ride except as you said it is cheap. It won’t be any easier to pull the start cord, but replace the cord with a stronger one of the same, or slightly larger, thickness. Try your local lawn mower shop better cord.. Also while at the shop, get a better pull handle, like something for a chain saw.

30 to 1 is a standard ratio for most 2-stroke engines and should work just fine. If you want to upgrade, buy synthetic 2-stroke oil. Once again the lawn mower shop will have that also.

One last thing, I’ve got a 36cc chain saw that would be very hard to start except for the compression release valve. These are also available at the local lawn mower shop, if they sell chain saws.

http://www.av-v.com/CompressionRelease.htm
http://www.fastcushman.com/release_valve.htm
http://www.tpeng.com/compression_releases.php
http://www.mcadvantages.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cProducts.view&productid=7686&cids=-1,34,164

BTW the biker folks got the idea from the chain saw folks.

However, you must have to have a shop install the valve because it requires tools and skills most people don’t usually have.