88 trx300 fourtrax 4×4 ran great. Now won’t start

I have a well taken care of 1988 trx300 that we got in July. It was always stored inside. I changed the oil & sucked out the old gas which wasn’t that bad & put in fresh 91oct. I put a battery from my lawnmower in it, was a little tall for the battery cover to go back on. but first push of the button it fired right up & ran great. We put probably 40 miles on it in about a month going fishing & giving the kids rides. Anyhow after about a month I still had never put that battery cover back on so decided to try. So I had to work pretty hard and basically bend the metal bracket to go over the battery. I kinda forced the cover on top & went to start it & nothing. It kicks over & over but just don’t want to fire. I got spark. I feel like I had to have done something when I forced the bracket & cover on. I checked both the little Silver & glass fuses that are right there in the battery compartment & they seem good? I feel pretty mad at myself for forcing them covers on because this thing runs & drives so nice. Anybody have any ideas. Thanks so much for your time. Bill in MN