Honda CL350 chain removal

[jasonwallis]

I have a 73 honda CL350 scrambler. I am tearing it down to the frame, but having a problem getting the chain off. I have removed all of the bolts on the chain cover, as well as the engine cover next to it (my words, not sure of all the right terms). All of the bolts are out, I have taken the shifter off, so there's nothing I can see that is holding it on. There is a screw in the middle that had a bolt on it that I removed. I can screw it in and out a bit, it seems to have some effect on the clutch cable that is still attached. I am trying to get that cover off to take the chain off, but am at a loss. The cover seems to move a bit, and it may be something in the hole where the shifter shaft goes through. Again, I am a noob to this, and am still learning. thanks for any help.

 

[Redliner]

You gotta wiggle these things and convince them to come off if they've been there for some time. It helps is you loosen the clutch cable at both the sprocket cover and the lever.

It just gets hung up on the shift shaft.

Also, CL350's come with master-link chains that you can split. Look at each link for the piece that is open on one end. Use pliers to push it so that the open end comes off the pin and then pull the master link out and the chain splits.

Don't play with that little screw that doesn't appear to do anything. It does something, but we'll talk about that while assembling

Master Link

 

[jasonwallis]

thank you! I will take that into account, work tonight and report back.

many thanks.
jason

 

[Redliner]

When you take the sprocket cover off, check that number twenty-one is still inside of number six. The bugger doesn't come out easily, but if you're not conscious of it, it will disappear.

If you lose it or if it doesn't have one already, I can post it to you for $1.50, assuming you're in the U.S. I have heaps of 'em ;D

 

[xb33bsa]

yeah the ball will certainly get lost if you aren't careful
also it is nothing special just a standard ball bearing they are all the same 5/16"/8mm from memory, any bearing supply or bicycle shop may have one

 

[jasonwallis]

So, thanks to your advice, and some elbow grease the cover finally came off. As did the chain and the engine cover (that's what I am calling it) and the little ball in there stayed intact. It'll probably be a while before reassembly, gonna attempt to take it all the way down and clean it after looking at the 40 years of road grime settled below the shifter.

 

[Redliner]

The little ball stayed inside because it's buried in petrified rock! Heh, don't worry, I've burned rubber on worse. Having stiff levers, squealing brakes and not never knowing when the clutch will engage just makes it all the more exciting

You'll want to spray the side with Berryman's B-12 chem-tool and/or use a spray bottle with Dawn soap and water to clean the area and seals around the sprocket. There are three seals here and you want it all clean so you can detect any leaks if any should occur. Remove the sprocket (two bolts) to clean around that seal. At Dollar General you can buy a three-brush set for about....a dollar. One brass, one steel, and one nylon. They're very useful and the nylon is great for scrubbing off grease!

Finally:

#1 is the Left Crankcase cover
#2 is the Sprocket or Rear cover
#4 is the Alternator or Stator cover