Motorcycle Repair: Honda CL100 shifting issues, snap ring pliers, clutch pack

Question
Bill
I just bought a 1971 CL100 that will shift into low gear while engine is running and back to neutral ok, but will not shift to second gear or higher while engine is running. The clutch has free play at clutch handle. When engine is shut off I can shift through gears. What can the problem be?
Thanks!

Answer
Ernie...  You only need about an 1/8" free play at the clutch lever. If you have too much slack, the clutch won't release and the gears will be dragging along with torque on them that prevents smooth shift action.

If the clutch is sticking from sitting for a LONG time, then you will have to buy a gasket for the clutch cover, drain the oil and remove the cover to get to the clutch retainer bolts. Remove the 4 bolts and the clutch pack for inspection. If any steel plates are warped, replace them. If the pack is stuck together, gently peel them apart, wire brush and sand the metal plates, clean and reassemble again. If the friction plates seem damaged, then replace them as well, but they generally last a long time unless the engine is abused. You may want to have a a set of external snap ring pliers on hand if you want to take it off the transmission shaft.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cl100-scrambler-100-k1-us_model530/partslist/E++08.ht...

If you are sure that the gear shift selection mechanisms are going through all gears, then the probable problem is with the clutch, itself.

Bill Silver