Topic: 69 CL350 twin seized

[Davidov]

I got a complete 1969 CL350 with a seized engine.
I need some input from CL/CB twin gurus.

It had been sitting for an unknown number of years, so I figured the pistons were seized in the cylinders. I haven't ruled that out.

I removed the starter just to see if it was maybe stuck, causing the motor not to turn. I removed it, and still would not turn.
I noticed the starter drive was completely missing from the inside of the case.
I did fish out the drive chain, and it seems to be in tact.

Is this a common problem? Could the starter gears have falled into the bottom end and seized something?

[Stev-o]

It could be "stuck" - the rings rusted to the cylinder.  Seized is more when you havecsome type of mech failure. My K7 was stuck, I put a mixture of ATF/acetone in the cylinders and freedcthem up. Try it!

[Davidov]

Yes, I figured it was with the pistons/cylinders. I let ATF and Penetrant sit in the cylinders for about 3 days. Then tried turning the motor at the generator with a large breaker bar. No luck.

I took the top "acorn" valve cover bolts off and cranked it. I noticed the motor trying to torque up on the right cylinder, and decided it probably wasnt good to put that much pressure on it without the top bolts tightened.

Has anyone seen the starter gears come apart like that?

[Stev-o]

Patience is the key here. Pour some more of the cocktail in there and let it sit a couple more days (the acetone evaporates).
Then put it in third or fourth and try rocking it back and fourth.
Good luck.

[Davidov]

Another thing, maybe one of you guys have some insight.
I took the drive chain off the rear sprocket (rusted to hell), and the tranmission sprocket rotates freely. I'm assuming it is in neutral, but I can't click the shifter up or down into 2nd or 1st.

Could the clutch be seized shut?

[CycleRanger]

The loose chain from the starter could be jamming things up? Might pull the side cover and check.

[Davidov]

Yep, did some further inspecting.
Removed the left side/generator cover. The starter drive had falled down, but didn't look like the cause of engine failure.

I continued using the breaker bar on the generator bolt, and it snapped. 
Out comes the engine!

I will have to man-handle the cylinders off, but oh well.

Here's a pic of the complete bike.

[grcamna2]

I have some engine parts if you need...just PM me & let me know what you want.

[grcamna2]

Davidov,
    I doubt the clutch would do that; try slowly spinning the countershaft(small)sprocket on the engine while you slowly slip it into 1st or 2nd gear...that may help.