Crankcase cover

Hey there! I'm new to the forum and to wrenching on motorcycles in general and I recently got a kz440 that I'm trying to bring back to life. I have the service manual but it can be vague to say the least. So my first question is: my crankcase cover gasket has failed and the mechanism behind it is rusted out. I have tried looking through the manual and the parts diagrams but it's easier to just ask other, more knowledgeable human beings. What is the mechanism directly behind the crankcase cover? Thanks for your help and patience with what I'm sure is a stupid question to those who know bikes.

What cover is it? left side or right side. see diagrams at Partzilla. It helps to mention the year.
The left side has the generator, while the right side has the ignition plate components & timing advancer.

ps: left & right as you're sitting on the bike.

Also, posting a picture of the mechanism in question would be helpful.

For sure. When he mentioned a rusted mechanism I was thinking the clutch release, but since the engine sprocket cover doesn't have a gasket I figured it would be one or the other of the two mentioned above. we'll see. hee.

I'd bet it is the ignition side, but who knows?