weird kickstart issue

Hey all, after my session with the kids on the bike project tonight, we have hooked up the exhaust and intake, and for awhile I thought the bike had zero compression!! However I soon realized that as I kicked the bike over, the crank was not moving -- so the pistons were not obviously moving at all (although it "felt" like there was some resistance). We got the bike partly restored, and the PO assured me he thought the bottom end was knitted together properly. Obviously now we are not so sure! Before I crack open the clutch side cover, is there anything obvious I might look for? I have the manual, but perhaps this is somewhat common??? I assume I will see some gear not engaging with the clutch pack or something... Any ideas greatly appreciated!

Sounds like the clutch is slipping.The kick starter drives through the clutch to spin the crankshaft.Back out the clutch adjuster screw and see if the engine will now turn

I agree. With donald.

If backing out the clutch adjusting screw does not work, you may have to check if the PO indexed the clutch.

Easy questions first. Your not holding the clutch in, are you?
Put the bike in nuetral, and leave the clutch out, and give a kick.
If that isnt it, then open up the rite side, and check the clutch for index, like in the picture

Well???,,,

Sorry, fellas, with my school responsibilities, I haven't gotten a chance to look at the bike -- the clutch issue does make sense. I also realize when the students installed the activator on the worm gear, they had it "clocked" in the wrong spot. My custom-made clutch cable actually snapped, meaning the soldered on end pulled off (first time that has happened in about 15 cables I have made). After the snap is when I noticed the kickstarter issue, so perhaps something got jammed...? So, the plan is to reinstall the clutch activator to the right orientation, solder on a new tip or make a new inner wire for the clutch cable, and perhaps remove the clutch side cover next to see if that has solved it.
So, today after school we have a school dance at 7; I plan to head over to the high school, do some work on the bike (sans kids as I want to acetelyne-weld on a few tabs as well -- a bit nervous at this point having kiddies around when I do that) and then zip back to supervise the dance. Dealing with junior high hormones on a Friday night... yee ha!

Check out the build at:
http://www.tcskidscafe.blogspot.ca/

Got it -- when the clutch cable snapped, it jammed the clutch open. Good to check the po's work when I cracked open the clutch side anyway! I also re-did the cluch cable and re-checked the clutch actuator arm. Things work much smoother now! Thanks for all the input and advice-- this forum is great!