HELP - Major breakdown, engine runs bike moves no

I was cruising at sixty-five with my girlfriend behind me and the love of my life underneath me - my 1978 KZ1000 A1
I've had since 17

Very suddenly the kickstarter whips around all the way, cracks my leg Engine dies
Bike makes big grinding noise on right side rolls to halt slowly

I took the kickstarter off Started the engine, the engine runs great, however the kickstarter bolt is now spinning with the engine

As soon as I let the clutch out the engine dies, the bike does not move at all.

It still seems to shift ok though

I've done a lot of carbs, electrical breaks, chain sprockets, but never any major mechanical.

How bad is it guys? Help please.

i have to be honest, it doesnt sound good..i m not sure how much of the mechanism for the kicker is servicable from the outside, but i think if you have to go to where the kicker engages internally (which i m guessing you will have to do), i think the manual says its a case splitter...total teardown...let the other more knowledgeable weigh in though before you panic!! good luck...keith

I can't say for sure but on a 650 it sounds like a clutch problem but I don't know on a 1000. Good luck.
Mark

i dont have a transmission in front of me to look at ,but i believe the kickstarter engages 2nd gear in trans.;)ok scratch that!:blink: went to building to look .1st gear output shaft/1st gear, clutch gear/ring then to crank .wish i could find my camera id take pictures for ya!:S

ifn' it does, that would not be good....

you

All right
Thanks for the replys
Guess Ill start ripping into her this weekend
Any advice?

I sure appreciate this community

Before assuming the transmission is broke, remove the rear countershaft sprocket covers and look at the external shift mechanism. It consists of the shifter, shift pawls and the shift drum. There are a couple of small springs; one on the pawls and one that returns the shift detent (keeps the drum from rotating when it isn't supposed to) and the big spring on the shifter that returns it. I would look at this stuff and make sure it is in good shape and working as it should. If there is no problem here, go on...

Buy a set of cover gaskets. Buy some case sealer such as Hondabond HT or Threebond, etc. Remove the engine from the bike. Remove the top case bolts and the bottom case bolts. There are about a half dozen on top around where the starter is and the bottom ones are pretty obvious with the engine upsidedown. The engine cases split by using an M8 bolt to lever the cases apart. There are three split points; two in front and one in back as memory serves. Once the cases are split, pull the bottom case half off. The transmission is in front of you. Perhaps the rod that holds the shift forks has sheared? I would have a complete spare transmission on hand. Take care not to lose the small half moon bits that locate the transmission in the cases. I can't recall if there is a locating dowel(s) under the transmission. If I saw what whas broken, I would replace it... if you have a spare transmission, replace the whole thing. Before you get to this stage, you can check the clutch hub and clutch for any obvious issues since you will have to pull all the covers off (that is the reason for the gasket set).

If you have done this before, removing and replacing the transmission will take about 8 hours work or so depending on how quick you can scrape gaskets. You don't have to mess with the top end at all.