It would be very easy to keep the pull starter, four 1.2 in. standoffs drilled and tapped 3mm or 4mm. (I'll have to go back check for sure) would be all you needed. I kept my starter thinking the same thing, that this engine is so light, I could keep the original starter with a minimal weight gain. But so far the motor has started in less than 8 flips everytime, haven't used an electric starter yet. Right now, I tentatively have this motor slated to go in a Hanger 9 Funtana 90, so I'll be trying to keep everything as light as possible. Now that I've got some baseline readings on different mufflers, I'll move to the intake side this weekend.