Well, I tried stretching the spring(stretched OD ~ 2.25"), checking my gear lash, and tried every gasket in the kit and didn't see any huge improvement.
I don't need estart per say but I paid for it. We also have hill climbs in the areas I ride (CO, AZ, NM, UT) that are miles long and kicking the bike on them if you stall is a real pain if it's even possible.
Bat was showing a full charge and I had it on the tender for part of the time.
I guess I'll see how the bike performs when warm as it's always been a little better then, but right now I'm pretty disappointed.
Edit: what constitues "good" backlash? I put the stock thickness gasket back in today, and there is certainly some decent "wiggle room" probably ~1/32" of movement at the gear tooth. with the thick gasket it was just under ~1/16". I didn't put a dial indicator on it, that is just all "calibrated eyeball"
Thanks again everyone for posting what works for you, I'm not giving up yet.