Yes, I managed. mine was walbro, I also have one with the Phelon ignition and agree with Jim. An electric starter will easily turn over a stock homelite 25cc. If you want to hand start check the clearance between the flywheel and coil make it as small as possible without them touching. I could do it with two fingers close to the hub and a sharp flick, stock this engine is going to be tame and unlikely to bite(but be careful anyway).