Kickstart not engaging

I am hoping some of you clever folk can give me a few pointers on the next steps….
so I have been restoring an LIS150. Engine components are stock and all new - including the kickstart shaft and ancillary bits as it was worn. When I dry fitted it everything seemed fine and engaging. Inevitably, a year down the line I finally put it all back together and what do I find: the kickstart barely engages with the gear - maybe one in 10 trys if I am lucky. My plea is what is the likely problem? Any technical advice is very much appreciated. Cheers.
so I have been restoring an LIS150. Engine components are stock and all new - including the kickstart shaft and ancillary bits as it was worn. When I dry fitted it everything seemed fine and engaging. Inevitably, a year down the line I finally put it all back together and what do I find: the kickstart barely engages with the gear - maybe one in 10 trys if I am lucky. My plea is what is the likely problem? Any technical advice is very much appreciated. Cheers.