OK!! I am driving again. The seal between the starter and engine wasn't good, and the starter had quite a few table spoons of oil in it, effectively causing the starter to not get the spark it needed. Also the brushes were almost gone. Took it a a local mechanic guy who rebuilt it for 12 bucks. Can't complain. And, I'm riding again!

Here's one thing that comes to mind...   will the motor turn over if the compression release is not operating?   I mean does the starter have enough power to push it thru the initial compression cycle?

Oops, too late...   that's what being distracted by the Indy500 does.