Try this sequence:
1. Key or Ignition ON
2. Choke on
3. Gas on
4. 3-4 Primer Kicks, all the way through slow (don't have to be hard)   
5. Push kick lever down until it passes the first resistance point, DO NOT GO PAST in to the 2nd resistance point.
6. Bring lever back up to the top and give it a hard kick!

Pushing past the 1st resistance point (AKA TDC) put the piston just after TDC and carrys the momentum of the piston through the next cycle which makes it easier to fire.