Cl450 shift issues

[Greaser76]

Just picked up a new project, 1970 cl450. Runs good and shifts up through 5th no problem, but down shifting is the issue. It will click one down and then just wont go anymore. Anyone have this issue with a 450 before?

 

[lingo]

Check to make sure that the snap ring that goes on the shift rod behind the front sprocket cover is in place. Pull the shift arm off. then pull the sprocket cover. Be careful not to lose the ball bearing that goes in the clutch actuator. Then look where the shift arm goes into the case. There should be a snap ring and a washer. I had the same problem.

 

[cqyqte]

First check the leftside circlip on the shifter shaft. I should be sitting in a groove in the shaft, tight up against the shaft seal. In some abused bikes the groove tends to become less precise and the shaft will move to the right as the circlip rides up and outward. This causes the shift mechanism on the clutch side to become dislodged or out of proper position in the shift spool. I found the groove on my '71 to be worn and ended up creating a locking donut to prevent the circlip from shifting and hold the shaft in the correct position.

Secondly check the shifter return spring on the same shaft on the clutch side. Its a wound spring with two tines that ride on top and bottom of a post. That spring can become distorted and have a tendency to twist laterally and come off the post making the shift lever to become out of position as well. To prevent this lateral twist I made another shaft sleeve that increases the shaft diameter closer to the inner diameter of the wound spring coils. I don't have a picture but I maybe able to draw up what I mean.

 

[Greaser76]

Awesome ill look it over! Thanks