Motorcycle Repair: 1986 Yamaha Radian Oil and Clutch Problems, clutch problems, clutch cable

Question
I just bought a 1986 Yamaha Radian. It has a grabby clutch - even when clutched out all the way, it still puts some forward pressure on the bike, so it's hard to pull the clutch in and duck-walk backwards with the bike in gear, even with the engine off. Due to the at least moderate amount of engine pressure always transmitted through the clutch, it's a bit hard to change gears too. The clutch spring also resists a lot harder than I'm used to. I just snapped off a clutch cable by normal use. I think somebody messed around inside the clutch and it's sprung a lot harder than it's supposed to be. Any idea if this is normal for a Radian? -- I'm still looking for a shop that dares to open up a 20-year-old clutch and look inside.

It also feels a bit hotter than I was used to with my old Honda Nighthawk 450. Not sure if that's just due to the 150 additional cc's and 2 additional cylinders.

What I'm afraid of is, the grabby clutch and hot engine are symptoms of low oil and I shouldn't be running it. It's my only vehicle.

My first real shocker was, when I pulled the oil cap: No dipstick! Looking at the parts fiche, there's no dipstick on the diagrams either. How do I know if I have the right oil level, before it runs low and the Oil light comes on?

I've only had this bike for a week and a half, and the Clymer manual I ordered hasn't arrived yet. I'm sure it will at least answer my oil question when and if it gets here; I'd like to know if you have any advice about the clutch, and if you're willing, the oil.

Answer
Joseph,

-check below your rear brake pedal on the engine,
there should be a little glass window.
Set the bike straight up or on the center stand
and make sure the engine oil is between the high
and low marks on the site glass window.

-the clutch should not be so hard,
just inside the clutch cover
is a little rod with teeth on it,
this pulls and disengages the clutch.
It could be damaged or it may
be something in the clutch like
the plates sticking on the clutch hub.
The little pull rod may need to be checked
out and see if it is ok and installed right.
Make sure you have oil in the bike as the
clutch runs in an oil bath, also
the engine prefers it that way too. ;)