CB750c will not turn over, (not) starter motor issue?

[saben]

I have been doing a lot of work on my recently purchased, previously abused 1981 cb750c and I seem to have made something worse. I have been doing a lot of cleanup of the wiring, oil change, swapped out the pods for the stock air filter and probably a bunch more things I cant think of. Before I started it ran, not well and the battery wouldn’t charge but it ran.

Now when I hit the start button I hear the starter relay click and then nothing happens. When I let go of the button I hear a whirling coming from the starter motor (I believe) for a second or two but the engine does not turn.

I thought maybe the starter motors gear was dislodged from the main crank case gear (I barely know what I’m doing and am pretty much shooting from the hip) so I tried to take the left hand crank case cover off to have a peek. I noticed 2 things.

1. The timing lines (s | f 1-4) do not line up correctly with the indicator point and as hard as I try to turn the hex nut it wont budge counter clock wise like the manual says and I can turn it all the way clockwise but not far enough to line it up.
2. I can’t seem to take off the larger side cover (with the 8 bolts) I take all 8 bolts loose (plus the two that hold the plate on the inside) and the case will budge a little in the top right corner but not on the bottom left corner. Couldn’t get it to move off at all. I must be missing something.

So I guess my question is what am I missing here and does any one have any ideas about my starting issues. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty but I’m a little over my head.

Thanks!
Saben

 

[saben]

Re: CB750c will not turn over, update.

So, did some work tonight. Finally got the side cover off. Took at little persuasion and a small chunk of my finger. Gears look good and are not worn at all. I jumped the starter motor with out the main crank shaft gear and it turns fine, so that's not my issue.

I then popped off the alternator cover and tried turning over the engine. No joy. Just to have a look and see what I could see, I took out all of the spark plugs and rotated the crank shaft while looking down at the heads(?). Free movement both ways until 1 and 4 hit their top position. Then I hit a wall and nothing moves. I can back it up all the way to the same point (1 and 4 at highest 2 and 3 at lowest).

I have no idea where to go from here. For reference, what work i have done in this area since it was running. Oil change, oil filter change, remove pods, install stock air box (this involved removing the carbs, maybe something there), new spark plugs, and attempt at adjusting the timing but failed due to symptoms above, removal of right cover to test charging issues.

I'm learning things but not enough to know where to go from here. Lessons from tonight. 1. A rubber mallet is your best friend. 2. Every mosquito in DC finds me irresistible.

Thanks for any help or thoughts.