Clutch damage/problem on a 1981 Honda 400 CM

[MarylandMagnav45]

Hey guys:

I was showing my friend how to ride tonight, and I was getting him to stop on inclines and such, and pull forward.  All 5 gears were working well when the night started out. 

However, he went to make a turn (and he's been riding for about 4 weeks), and he dropped it at 2 mph.  Well, the bike has no engine guards, and it didn't seem to fall hard.

HOWEVER, the bike will NOT leave neutral or first gear. 

I haven't taken it apart yet but I plan to do it this weekend. 

Got any ideas?

I've had a broken clutch before on ANOTHER bike (not my fault/cause) but I couldn't leave NEUTRAL.  With this bike, I can only be in neutral or first gear....no second gear...and def. no third/fourth/fifth.

P.S. It fell on the left hand side.

[roboto65]

The shifter is on that side right if so he may have bent the shaft or shoved it past the gear to engage the forks. I would look into the shaft first and go from there..

[TLRam1]

Also your shift forks could be damaged, bent or broke. If your shift shaft was shoved further in somehow (jammed) you may jiggle while pulling back out a tad.

[hootmon]

Terry;
   Your not really suggesting he jiggle his shift shaft while pulling on it are you???      
TMI --- TMI!!!         

[TLRam1]

Terry;
   Your not really suggesting he jiggle his shift shaft while pulling on it are you???      
TMI --- TMI!!!         

You pull on it while he jiggles! 

[L J VFR]

    Aye carumba..

[dgc67]

When I got hit mine fell on the left side.  I rode it home fine (after pulling out the taco rear fender) but the next time I rode it I had the same problem.  Turns out it bent the shifter just enough to it was contacting the engine, just stopping me from pulling it up enough to engage 2nd gear.  It appeared to be moving up and down fine untill I got off and watched it contact the engine case.  Bent it back out and been good ever since.

[TLRam1]

Turns out it bent the shifter just enough to it was contacting the engine, just stopping me from pulling it up enough to engage 2nd gear.  It appeared to be moving up and down fine untill I got off and watched it contact the engine case.  Bent it back out and been good ever since.

I did that before to mine, so long ago I forgot. 

[MarylandMagnav45]

It was a shifter issue...it was bent, and i replaced it.

All fixed...well sorta.  It is still kinda bent

[hootmon]

It's great to have friends that can troubleshoot a bent piece of metal from miles and miles away...
Sometimes you guys are amazing!!!

[dgc67]

WOO HOO!!      I got something right!!  ROFL!  Still trying to make up for eating that crow on the whole octane topic 
Man, that crow leaves a bad taste in your mouth, deep fried and dipped in ketchup or not!  LOL   

Insert Quote
It's great to have friends that can troubleshoot a bent piece of metal from miles and miles away...
Sometimes you guys are amazing!!!

This is a pretty darn amazing group of riders for sure!!  No text books can ever beat experience in my book (?), ahem, EXPERIENCE anyway!   

[MarylandMagnav45]

WOO HOO!!      I got something right!!  ROFL!  Still trying to make up for eating that crow on the whole octane topic 
Man, that crow leaves a bad taste in your mouth, deep fried and dipped in ketchup or not!  LOL   

Insert Quote
It's great to have friends that can troubleshoot a bent piece of metal from miles and miles away...
Sometimes you guys are amazing!!!

This is a pretty darn amazing group of riders for sure!!  No text books can ever beat experience in my book (?), ahem, EXPERIENCE anyway!   

Well, in 4 years time, I may elect to go to UT at Austin for grad school. If I do, I hope/better see a massive group of Magna riders still around.

[Charles S Otwell]

Have no fear, Moot will still be here ..