how to achieve one kick starts (almost) every time.

[MICKREEVES]

Run your engine and set the tickover, with idle screw, and throttle stop.
With a warm engine, it should start again with throttle shut.
For cold starting,- try a carb tickle, and raise the throttle stop half a turn.
Try this with variations to find the best for your machine. My C15 and B44 like 1/3 turn on the stop screw, and no tickle.
Note - Leave  the throttle fully shut when starting.
Mick

[ducati2242]

you could kick my 500DB all day with that sequence and all you would get is tired . Every bike is different my gold star is a first kick starter but only if you adhere to the sequence . Flood for four seconds pull decompression lever and kick over 5 times . Set advance lever take just over tdc and then launch on the kick start . Starts first time everytime . Do anything else and your left panting and feeling sick .

[MICKREEVES]

How about your B44??
My B44 responded the same as my C15 SS.
Mick

[ducati2242]

The b44 has electronic ignition and usually fires second kick . If I havent let the battery go flat .

[MICKREEVES]

My B44 was the same, but first kick.
Mick

[AdrianS]

All the British bikes I've owned have had their own special way of starting them. I started my B40 for the first time the other day for 6 weeks - it started first kick. My Bantam unless frequently used can be a B**tard to start. My 31 CSR AJS was temperamental and my old C15 and Tiger cubs needed a few kicks.
So - the title of how to achieve one kick starts is meaningless except to that particular bike!