So to be brief, I bought a non running 75' with 8k miles. When I bought it I knew it was going to be a project because the bike was stuck in gear and the clutch was non functioning.
I have disassembled a lot of the bike, including the clutch assembly but I have not removed the engine or opened the case in any way. The clutch issue was pretty straightforward, the screws had been over tightened and the plates came out of the basket frozen together. I should mention I drained the oil from the case, there appears to be a lot of sludge at the base of the case. After the clutch was out I attempted to thoroughly check the gear shift assembly.
All the exterior mechanics are fine, everything is working as it should outside of the case. Where it didn't shift much of at all before it now shifts pretty good in certain situations. However, it probably shifts into gear about half the time from neutral to first and neutral to second right now when manipulating the shifter and the clutch and drive axles. Half the time it will go fine, the other half it will not go into gear. From second through fourth is smooth up and down. No issues there, and then fourth to fifth is a bit tricky. Oddly enough first to second bypassing neutral seems fine too.
Based on what the previous owner told me, it seems somewhat likely there could have been very very old oil in there before I drained it. Everything does work, just with a bit of effort. I'm wondering if this is likely an engine sludge issue based on the old oil gumming up the gears? Could I check anything else?
I'm trying not to open the case or disassemble the engine any further if at all possible. What would everyone recommend? Some type of solvent or cleaner through the case? I've seen a lot of people recommend kerosene. Should I consider any other likely problems here?
I have disassembled a lot of the bike, including the clutch assembly but I have not removed the engine or opened the case in any way. The clutch issue was pretty straightforward, the screws had been over tightened and the plates came out of the basket frozen together. I should mention I drained the oil from the case, there appears to be a lot of sludge at the base of the case. After the clutch was out I attempted to thoroughly check the gear shift assembly.
All the exterior mechanics are fine, everything is working as it should outside of the case. Where it didn't shift much of at all before it now shifts pretty good in certain situations. However, it probably shifts into gear about half the time from neutral to first and neutral to second right now when manipulating the shifter and the clutch and drive axles. Half the time it will go fine, the other half it will not go into gear. From second through fourth is smooth up and down. No issues there, and then fourth to fifth is a bit tricky. Oddly enough first to second bypassing neutral seems fine too.
Based on what the previous owner told me, it seems somewhat likely there could have been very very old oil in there before I drained it. Everything does work, just with a bit of effort. I'm wondering if this is likely an engine sludge issue based on the old oil gumming up the gears? Could I check anything else?
I'm trying not to open the case or disassemble the engine any further if at all possible. What would everyone recommend? Some type of solvent or cleaner through the case? I've seen a lot of people recommend kerosene. Should I consider any other likely problems here?