I was wondering if the pull start cord can be repaired. It broke off very close to the cord reel. I pulled off the plastic cover to find that the cord reel assembly was rivited to the top of the of the engine cover. Can the cord be reattached or does the entire cord reel assemby have to be replaced? It looks like either repair will insist of drilling out and replacing rivits.

Thanks for any help.

It can be saved, we have the technology....What I do is remove the old cord, and wind up the starter by hand about 15 times or until the spring is tight. Then stick a screwdriver in one of the vents so it cannon unwind. insert new cord into hole and then into spindle and tight it tight then apply glue on the knot to hold it. OH yes I forgot to mention, you need to remove the whole engine cover to access the underside of the recoil meconism, remove gas tank to access back bolts and then in front there are 2 more bolts.