Motorcycle Repair: 76 cb360 kickstart, honda cb360, honda 350

Question
There is a faint sound of gears grinding or slapping when the bike is in neutral, it gos away when it gets shifted into first, after a quick deceleration it is loudest in first, when the bike is running the sound is coming from the kick start lever and if the lever is moved the sound gets louder, sounds like clattering,

Will I ever hurt the engine/transmission by riding on it like this? Could something related or has something already broke off inside the case?  

Answer
Bin, Honda 350-360-450 twins all have similar kickstarter designs and issues. If the kickstarter stop in the case has been broken away, then the gears try to engage. If this continues, especially while riding, then large amounts of damage can occur, perhaps locking up the engine/trans.

Drain the oil, looking for debris. Then remove the clutch cover and look for the area of the case where the kickstarter contacts. Repair if possible. You may have to pull the motor and have a good welder heliarc the case area.

If the kickstarter arm is not located on the shaft properly, it can fall backwards engaging the gears, too.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb360-usa_model1007/partslist/E++06.html
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb360-usa_model1007/partslist/E++14.html

Bill Silver