Sorry for this very random bit of info. I plucked it from another thread, and I'm posting it here so I'll be able to find it easier next time.
Here's how I think the kicker works...
When you move the kick lever, the pinion gear slides to the end of the kick shaft, where it meshes with first gear on the countershaft, which is always meshed with first on the mainshaft.
First gear is PART OF the main shaft, so this spins the mainshaft which has the big primary gear splined onto the other end. The big primary is meshed with the small primary, which is splined to the clutch center, which uses the clutch discs (friction) to spin the clutch drive plate, which is splined to the crankshaft...rod...piston...
Simple, right?
So yes, if the kickshaft does what it should, the big primary gear will spin when you kick the lever...
The outer clutch housing will only spin if the clutch pack is strong enough to overcome the pistons compression and spin the crankshaft.