have started a D2 for years like about 65 but just of late there is some discussion on where the throttle should be on starting have always started on full throttle and full choke for first pull then half choke but on full throttle any thoughts whet i am right or wrong that is the way we were told by the salesman how to do it 

Pony motors take a bit of magic to start on some days, 😉 or a very expert mechanic that loves to stop and fine tune any adjustment when his ear thinks it is off just a bit.

With a bit of luck if the mag makes spark and any gas get through the carburetor at all they will run. So without desire to make it perfect, you play with the choke to run well enough to start the big engine. As one neighbor that thought of himself as good mechanic put it. Each pony motor you need the recipe of what it has been liking. Such as 2 pulls of the rope with full choke , and then 1/2 choke with throttle full open. 😉 Or what ever combination has been working for you.

But as they say change is one of the things we all have to look forward to in life. 😇 So you will have to clean the carb and mag someday, or learn magic words I have never found to get it going. The only constant I can think of is SHUT THE GAS OFF. Don't let it trickle into the oil and dilute it. Now those looking for perfection can tell you the correct way.

I don’t get to start mine very often. I have found the happy place where it will start and run. All i do is turn the fuel on and turn it off again to stop the motor. If i change the throttle or choke settings it is hard to get it started and anyone close by learns new words they can’t repeat to their children.

chrisE our d4 was the same if you left it were it was last time a dash of fresh fuel in the tank, clear the cylinders 3rd or 4 pull she would fire. touch anything and you there much longer.