So I just checked my valve clearances, but ran into a problem trying to shift into 6th as shown in Kerry's how-to video. After removing the carbs (to clean them, separate job), spark plugs, chocke and throtte cables, etc., I couldn't get out of neutral. I would squeeze the clutch lever and try to shift using both my hands and feet, but it wouldn't budge. I ended up having to use the other method to turn the engine--removing the plate on the right side and using a wrench to turn it clockwise. That worked fine, but the gears still won't shift.

The bike is still disassembled, as I have to put in a new shim tomorrow, but I'm wondering whether this problem will persist after I put it back together. I have no idea what could be causing this, as I didn't touch the clutch lever and I can tell that it's still working when I squeeze it. Any suggestions?

Try turning the back wheel and shifting, then get back to us.

One of those live and learn situations but you should never try to force the shift lever, it can bend the shift fork.

-Jessie

I didn't have any luck getting my bike to shift when I checked them either. Turning the motor by the crankshaft is much easier. I wouldn't stress over it yet.

Cool, thanks for the replies. I didn't try to force it TOO hard, but it maybe was a bit much. Hopefully it'll be OK. I'm still running around town trying to hunt down the shims I need, but if all goes well the bike will be back together by tomorrow, and I'll be able to try shifting gears with it running.

Please don't spin the engine over with the shims removed from the engine.It will destroy the cam lobes.

Thanks for the warning. I can't say for sure, but I don't think I did that. I did have one shim out for awhile because it took me a couple days to find a replacement, but I don't think I turned the engine again until after I'd put in the new one. The bike's running great now, no more backfiring, so I'm assuming I didn't mess up the engine too bad  

btw, gear shifting is fine too, it started shifting again once I got the bike started. Weird that it wouldn't work with the bike off, like it did in Kerry's video. But like ttfour said, it's easier to to do it with the wrench anyway.