OK, if the author returns, here’s something close to my original reply.

If the motor has been sitting for eighteen years, any oil in it has probably dried up so the cylinders should be lubricated thru the spark plug holes with fogging oil or something similar before cranking it over. Once it’s spinning, the same lube can be sprayed down the carbs throat to lubricate the crank and rod bearings. If it’s still sluggish with the plugs in, all of the electrical connections should be cleaned including the ground. They should be bright and shiny with no scale or corrosion for best results. The starter itself may need some maintenance to as the commutator can get dirty or the brushes may be worn or hanging up which can cause cranking difficulties. The compression release only comes into play when the motor is pulled over by the rope and you can see how the linkage is activated by a follower in the scroll which is in the rope starter housing.