Hey guys, new to the forum.

I have a buddy, he's got the bike and he would let me have it if I was interested in getting it running again. It's all there for the most part, I can move the kick start lever by hand, so there is hardly any compression to speak of. He thinks that's why it stopped running after a while. What is my cheapest option to sort that out? Can I get away with popping in a standard size piston and rings? If not, what else can I do?

Thanks.

 

Kindof a late answer, but even a new KLR was easy to kick like that. They have an automatic Compression Release built onto the exhaust cam. Beyond that, it either has valves that are too tight(common)- or bad rings/cylinder(oil burner).

Beyond that, non-start condition could be no spark(obvious), or possibly a gummed carb.