Glad the clutch cable broke

Was replacing the clutch cable and reached over and backed the front sprocket nut by hand. Glad I was in there. The previous owner didn't bend over the washer to lock it. Funny that my book shows 100 ft.lbs. for the 900 and 60 ft. lbs. for the 1000. Anyways doesn't matter as long as the washer is locked down. Lubed up the new cable, greased and adjusted it all and it works better than it has since I have owned it. Everything else seems good, did the valves and sync'd carbs about 3 weeks back and they were close, but right on now. Anyways guess it was a good thing the cable broke or I could have been a cooked "Goose".

Been there...bought a 79 LTD a year ago. Took it for a ride that lasted a few miles. Guy said he refreshed whole bike because he liked to collect them. Bike looked well done. Got it home and decided to check it out for peace of mind. Amongst a few other problems I found, like you, I found the counter/shaft sprocket was loose. I mean real loose. The nut was only on by a couple threads and obviously there was no washer bent to hold nut on. That nut would have probably come off the next ride. Not sure why it didn't screw up the shaft...

Yea, those nuts like to come loose. Good news is when the nut falls off, all that happens is the sprocket slips off the splines and you have no more drive. Still no fun, as you are stranded.