The lever is supposed to fit into a slot in the collar around the drive gear to push the gear into engagement and then push the button on the switch to turn the motor on. The spring on the linkage that goes over the bell housing keeps the lever and gear in the retracted position till you stomp on the starter button. It looks like someone may have adjusted where the lever pushes on the switch button. Maybe they added some material so the button pushed enough to start the motor before the lever hit the end of it's travel.
