Locked Up

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

I will remove the chain and see if I can change the gears. Once the chain is removed the back wheel will move freely. The gears were working just before I put the chain on and start rolling it.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

The chain has some play in it, not too tight. I will remove the chain which should free up the back wheel, then try to change the gears.
@ashman Why would the back brake lock on?

ashman · Nov 10, 2025

Things change when setting up new chains, everything has to be readjusted, was just throwing it out there, I always buy a chain longer then needed and cut down to fit my bike.

Ashley

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

The chain is off and the back wheel moves freely, so not brake lock up. Gearbox still not moving and the kickstart lever isn't budging.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

ashman said:
Things change when setting up new chains, everything has to be readjusted, was just throwing it out there, I always buy a chain longer then needed and cut down to fit my bike.

@ashman That's exactly what I did. Bought a longer chain and cut it down to 99 links to fit the bike.

850cmndo · Nov 10, 2025

How does the clutch behave?

zotz · Nov 10, 2025

Can you push the kickstart through when you pull in the clutch lever?

Craig · Nov 10, 2025

Hi Dave , sorry to hear of your problem , if everything was fine before the new chain , then everything should still be fine , try rocking bike back and forth while trying to move front sprocket , you may need another set of hands …. I can’t imagine what has happened if chain length is correct and as well as width , have you tried with the old chain installed loosely ? …. Good luck

bmepkid · Nov 10, 2025

Dave, Get the clutch off and see if you can turn the main shaft by hand. If it doesn't, then you'll have to pull the cover off the gearbox and find out what went wrong.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

850cmndo said:
How does the clutch behave?

The clutch is fine. No issues squeezing it. I opened the round viewing cover on the gear case and I can see the clutch cable pulling.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

zotz said:
Can you push the kickstart through when you pull in the clutch lever?

I cannot push through the kickstart when I pull the clutch lever. I can stand with my full weight on the kickstart and it doesn't budge.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

Craig said:
Hi Dave , sorry to hear of your problem , if everything was fine before the new chain , then everything should still be fine , try rocking bike back and forth while trying to move front sprocket , you may need another set of hands …. I can’t imagine what has happened if chain length is correct and as well as width , have you tried with the old chain installed loosely ? …. Good luck

Unfortunately the old chain was cut up into pieces.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

bmepkid said:
Dave, Get the clutch off and see if you can turn the main shaft by hand. If it doesn't, then you'll have to pull the cover off the gearbox and find out what went wrong.

@bmepkid Get the clutch off? As in don't squeeze it? And how do I turn the main shaft by hand?

Fast Eddie · Nov 10, 2025

DaveinCanada said:
Unfortunately the old chain was cut up into pieces.

Why on Earth did you do that ?

zotz · Nov 10, 2025

If you pull in the clutch lever then there should be no resistance on the kickstart. If you still can't move it something is jamming inside transmission or clutch.

marshg246 · Nov 10, 2025

Tell us about the gearbox. Did you rebuild it? If so, did you check the main and lay shafts for straightness? Would it go through all the gears before? Etc.?

Tornado · Nov 10, 2025

Note that the chain slack spec in the book applies with a riders weight on the bike, ie rear suspension under normal compression. If not weighted or on the centerstand with wheel off ground, you need to increase the slack at tightest spot on chain at mid run position. ~~Otherside when compressed, the rear brake cable can go tight and activate the brake~~. I dont think this is your issue but you do need to set it correctly.

If you cannot turn over engine via kickstarter with clutch pulled in, means your clutch plates are frozen together or the clutch operating lever inside the gearbox is not working correctly. Be sure the cable is correctly in line with the pass through hole in the gb casing...must be as exact as possible. Check if the operating lever at the gb end of the cable is correctly position, it can slip down and out of its pivot position and this will prevent proper lever action. All accessible from the inspection opening. If no joy, check the adjuster nut on the clutch from the primary case access port...adjust as per book...be sure to fully slacken cable at handlebar end first.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

Fast Eddie said:
Why on Earth did you do that ?

It came with the bike in a bag. Previous owner took it off 30 years ago.

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

zotz said:
If you pull in the clutch lever then there should be no resistance on the kickstart. If you still can't move it something is jamming inside transmission or clutch.

I pull the clutch and no movement in the kickstart. I had no issues a few weeks ago. I had the bike starting and idling beautifully (with no chain)

DaveinCanada · Nov 10, 2025

marshg246 said:
Tell us about the gearbox. Did you rebuild it? If so, did you check the main and lay shafts for straightness? Would it go through all the gears before? Etc.?

@marshg246 I haven't done anything to the gearbox. No rebuild. It went through gears no problem before. Then I put the chain on, rolled it around the garage a bit and everything jammed up.

Locked Up

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