i am slowly fixing up my old xl 185 just as a cruise around bike. it will start first kick every time when its cold but when you ride it for around a hour or so it becomes a lot harder to start. i dunno weather this is normal with this bike or something can be fixed to make it better. i receantly put new crank sprocket, cam chain, cam sprocket, exhaust valve and rings on it weather this has anything to do with it.