Thanks @themotoworks, I haven't. Curious how pulling the plugs would potentially change what the starter does? Interesting, though I think I'm missing what that would tell me about re-assembly.
Pulling the plugs deletes compression. Although since it kicks over and starts fine that would suggest eventual tightness would be located in the cogs connecting starter to crank. Engines can be a bit tough to turn over on first startup with freshly honed bore, but compression would be lower until rings seat properly.
So if I pull the plugs and things spin freely, we know it's an engine issue and the starter if fine just as I assumed given the testing. Is this something in need of a fix or as you stated will improve once the rings seat?
you can easily kick over a motor that the old honda starters won't turn, the fact that it starts up doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing wrong with the reassembly, most engines will run if you give them no other option, for how long is another story.