73 cb350f - shifting issues

Drumonthegun

New Member
Bought a cb350f and rebuilt the carbs (filthy). While moving the bike, I thought the kickstand was down, but it was not. It laid down pretty slow, but slightly bent the shift lever. Now I noticed it wont shift like normal. I have not gotten it running just yet, but before I keep working on that, I am not sure if I should address the shifting 1st. Could it be the shifter itself on the clutch side? Maybe bent or tweaked? Did I bend a shift fork or the drum? Its my 1st bike. While I am taking an online mechanic class and have the shop manual, I dont have the knowledge and experience for the "where-to-start" or "have-I-checked -xyz" troubleshooting routes. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
 
Assuming its nearly identical to my 400fours.
The forks and drum aren't really even physically related to the shifter shaft.
Likely no internal damage. A chance it bent the shaft...unlikley though. Still might pull it out just to check.
You will need to pull clutch cover and clutch. then start here inspecting linkages, springs and operation as you go.
good luck bud. It may look complicated to a beginner, but actually quite simple.
Keep good records of disassembly. To get it all back together right.

As long as its apart I might suggest fresh clutch discs and springs going back in.

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You're sure welcome.
Also, to loosen clutch nut...jamb a penny between large gear on back of clutch and that small gear you see in the bottom right corner of my picture.
 
Great insights!
Here's a pic of my bike. Also thought some would like to see a pic of one of the eagles that comes by often.
Thanks!
 

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I always liked those little 4s. Basically a pair of CB175s stuck side by side, so lots of potential.

It is quite likely that the shaft is bent creating extra friction. Try to remove the sprocket cover on the left side of the motor and see if it shifts OK and see if the shaft is bent. That shaft goes right across the motor and activates the shifting mechanism as Trek pointed out and is easily bent on the left side.

You may be able to straighten it out but in an extreme case it could be cut off as close to the crankcase as possible and removed from the right side and then replaced with a "new" shaft.

Avoid the temptation to wail on it with a BFH. You do not want to make it worse or to crack the cases.
 
Avoid the temptation to wail on it with a BFH. You do not want to make it worse or to crack the cases.

TRUTH!!! haha.

Your bike looks like a sweet heart. Swap in factory handle bars and a new rear fender would make her cherry.
There was a student last year zipping a really sharp red 350f all over campus last year.
He listed it on CL for $1200...kinda sorry I passed it up.

Im shocked how different the clutch covers are twixed the 400f and 350f.
My assumption of "maybe they are similar" under there could be very wrong.

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Looks the same to me - except that they moved the clutch cable to tidy it up a bit. I wonder if they take the same side cover gasket.
 
Yep, those look the same to me.

Nice looking bike, I would get it running and check the shifting could be nothing happened internal.

Put it on the center stand and slowing spin the rear wheel while shifting.

I'm betting you may have just bent the lever slightly. Just my opinion. I am far from being a mechanic or even know what I'm doing, beings my little 350 is sitting here not running.
 
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