Motorcycle Repair: 85 Honda CB450SC Downshift Issue, clutch adjustment, clutch basket

Question
1985 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk
Needs drive chain and valves and/or cam chain adjusted.

Hi Gary,

I was wondering if you might be able to shed some light on my current issue with my little Honda.  When I downshift from higher gears, 4th or 5th, sometimes it will get stuck between 3rd and 2nd, when I release the clutch just slightly it will pop down into 2nd. Then when I continue to downshift it will usually get stuck in neutral, again slightly let out the clutch then I am able to shift into 1st.  Most of the time the bike shifts great and runs just fine, but sometimes this does happen.  I am one of those people who just likes to fix things so they work how they're supposed to and squash any bugs before they hatch and have babies and cause problems everywhere.  I'm thinking clutch adjustment, but could it be shifter rod or shift fork (please say no to this one...).   Thank you for any and all insight.

Mark

Answer
Well its hard to diagnose without actually riding it. The clutch adjustment can be done at the lever. Squeeze the lever and you should have approx 2mm gap from the perch and the pivot edge of the lever. If thats ok you may have to pull the right cover and inspect all parts of the linkage for wear or something loose or broken. It does'nt sound like a shift fork. The clutch basket will even have to be removed to see all the linkage and remove it. Look for any abnormal wear in the basket notches and drive discs.