Thanks Roscoe!
I have no kickstart on this scooter and now I am wishing I do.
I have tried 3 different CDI boxes and it makes no difference because the starter doesn't even push the piston head far enough to reach the apex and so there's no opportunity for the spark to fire yet.
As far as how the engine behaves in the absence of compression I have done this test as follows:
-remove spark plug
-engage starter
-result: engine spins perfectly. To verify the problem I covered opening for spark plug with my finger with starter circuit still engaged, and engine stops turning over when compression is achieved(with my finger over the spark plug opening)
I also turned the engine by turning the cooling fan past the point where it stops while having the starter engaged. The engine continues to turn but stops again the next time the compression is achieved.
no timing light.
as far as advanced timing, I beg to differ because I had it running and driving since I replaced the engine intake/exhaust manifold and re-set the timing.