Starting procedure is the main issue with kick backs on these along with giving it some throttle (or idle turned too high). I've seen some guys subconsciously twisting the throttle every kick just out of habit from a 2 cycle. I had an XL600 also and their kicker decomp is a little different up top and doesn't make the distinct "click" like the XT does , which is really nice . The lever up on the head where the cable is attached to should have about 1mm to 1.5mm freeplay with the kicker up. Grab the lever with a pliers and twist it forward , it should move fairly easy for that freeplay then go hard, adjust the cable to get the correct play.

One of my XT's almost broke my ankle when I first got it also and I had gotten it cheap because it did it to the previous owner and broke the stops inside ,and it appeared the case was cracked around that bearing,(turned out it was casting marks once I lightly sanded it ). Once I cleaned the carb good and got the idle set lower beside the starting routine, it hasn't backfired since. I also now try to never wear tennis shoes when kicking , only good MX boots , just in case.

Left side on the carb, where the throttelcables mount on a plate ob the carb.

Hey last question guys, I know this might be a dumb question but can a low charged or worn out battery not producing enough spark be a possible reason for compression kick back or no?
I have already purchasedone a used stator assembly and a used decompression cable. I also ordered a new battery . I have to have a motorcycle mechanic put the items on.
I haven't yet checked the play in the decompression cable yet but will tomorrow. Weather here in New Jersey is cold so I have to wait for an occasional warmer day.
Tomorrow I'll try bump starting it to see if she will run.
Please let me know if a low battery could cause the kick back problem. Thanks guys. I'll let you know if I get her going
Eddie Kinney

Thanks Jens for the picture of throttle stop. I'll check that too!!

I've watched utube videos of teenage 110 lbs girls kick starting these old mid 80's XT600 with tennis sneakers!!! I'm a heavy old 51 year old out of shape Dad straining and suffering even while wearing heavy duty steel toe linemen boots!! I know some things wrong. I'll try ALL the suggestions everyone gave me. The Yamaha shop won't even look at it

I think your problem is problem with the decompression, its suppose to be easy to kick it when it works. Had kickstarter for 10years and never any problems, turned kicker slowly and felt the piston on the high and kicked. For light people it can be better to have the bike on the sidestand when kicking and stand on the foot rest. When you first have moved to electric start you never go back

The bike will start with no battery fitted, you shouldn't get any kick back from that. I think some people are posting info that's not relevant to your real problem,
The bike could have bad history with out us knowing its, so difficult to sort your problems out, work on your main problem first that doesn't cost much.
Try to get the bike running with the kick start operating correctly, its likely that your decompression cable is fine may need a bit of grease,
As I explained in a earlier post its not rocket science to adjust the cable, start there, you will know when it's adjusted correctly as the kick start will be a lot smoother action.
Good look

The 1mm slack in the decompression cable is critical. If you have more slack the decompression amount will be less and kick much harder. If adjusted correctly it should kick fairly easily. Still a swift kick is the best way to start. I have found the decompression cables to break fairly often and keep spares on hand. The bike is much too hard to kick without decompression and you chance breaking the side case where the kick shaft goes through. A used cable will NOT last very long.

__________________
'84 XT600 is now bored to 2nd oversize and new OEM pistons and rings installed. No more smoking.

I know this might be a stupid question but can a weak or worn low charged battery cause any type of severe compression kick back? I forgot to mention this before.

Can you guys tell me if a worn weak battery can cause compression kick back?

NO, They get the juice for the ignition off the stator, not the battery. A working stator will send enough to have the ignition working correctly.

If you read post 22 you will see I have already answered that question,

Today I rolled out that mule type kicking XT600 from the shed. I asked a neighbor to help me push it down the road for an old fashion "bump start". I wasn't about to try kicking it again after two near foot breaking ordeals with kick backs. My neighbor, a 6 foot 2 inch plumber by trade showed up wearing jeans and a over worn pair of work boots. The kind where the soles were almost worn thru. I checked the gas in the tank it seemed almost empty. I filled her half way and we pushed it out towards the roadway to push start. He said why not we try kick starting first? I warned him of its nasty bite. I told him if he wanted to try, no throttle. I watched closely as I grintend my teeth in anticipation of the vicious kick back. I watched him closely find TDC with the kicker in text book fashion. He started to kick, but not super strong. He gave it several half strength kicks. I kept cringing waiting for that ankle breaking kick back. It never came!! The bike finally started on the 6th or 7th kick!! Wow!! He rode it up and down the street and then I took a ride. It seemed to run oknow at lower rims but once we got on it hard it back fired a few times and some black smoke came out of the super Trapp exhaust. It seemed to break up whIle on heavy acceleration. Maybe the stock jetting I had the carbs rebuild with wasn't in tune with aftermarket exhaust or maybe a bad spark plug? Anyway he started it back up several times after it warmed on first kick every time. I haven't found the nerve to try kick starting it yet but I will in a few days.