Hi I am so delighted to have found your post regarding V5 being hard to start, I have one and have checked valve clearances, belt tension, and all the usual suspects, I did find the rubber air intake pipe perished where it attaches to the engine intake manifold, it looked perfect on the engine but when inspected closer it was completely cracked through and would have definitely effected the air/fuel mix. But after reading your post and especially after seeing the photos of the decompressor, mine is identical and doesn’t move on compression stroke, it is free to move if you attempt to move it with a screwdriver but it’s mechanical function is not operating correctly, I am going to take it apart next week and inspect it further and will update you.
I am very interested in the modifications to convert the V5 to V5E and any info, or photos would be greatly appreciated, I had the same experience with Bailey, I contacted them by email phone and every possible method with no reply, if there was a conversion kit I would have bought it as my arms are like a baboons from trying to start the engine on my back.
Thanks for all your posts and keep me updated if you can.
Im in Ireland so really appreciate your help
Regards Mick