Abstract: A compression release mechanism for an internal combustion engine wherein a rotatable pin positioned axially parallel to the camshaft is rotatably received in the cams, and has a lift member mounted at an axial end thereof. The pin is non-cylindrically shaped at one axial end thereof, and the non-cylindrically shaped end is received and secured into a correspondingly shaped bore disposed in a cylindrical hub extending perpendicularly from a one-piece flyweight. An optional adhesive can be used to secure the pin to the hub of the flyweight. According to a further optional embodiment, the hub can be crimped so as to engage the release pin. The disclosed configuration ensures a secure engagement and therefore avoids slipping between the release pin and the flyweight. Further, the design facilitates easy alignment of the pin with the flyweight during assembly. The flyweight can be a one-piece integral structure.