On Wheels: Fuel Atomization

I'm half-way through Matthew B. Crawford's "Shop Class as Soulcraft," which argues the loss of public school shop class is ruining America. Still not sure if I like it. Unfortunately, Crawford writes like the philosophy Ph.D. that he is (no that's not a good thing). But every once in a while he comes off with a nice passage, like this one on the struggle to fire up a vintage motorcycle.

The thing about kick-starters is, they tend to kick back. This is especially likely if you don't retard the timing far enough, as then the motor backfires mechanically, as it were, through the kick-starter, sending your shin to its fated meeting with the foot peg.... Having positioned the piston at the start of its intake stroke, you are ready to kick start the bike. But first check to make sure there are no attractive women present to witness your display, nor any of your rivals, for it is likely to be a drama of strenuous impotence.
Before taking that first kick, it is traditional to light a cigarette and set it dangling at an angle that suggests nonchalance. While you are at it, send up a little prayer for fuel atomization. You wouldn't be riding a motorcycle if you weren't an optimist.