just out of curiosity did it ever go into neutral?

 

Not that far yet. I needed to order a clutch nut socket. That should be in later this week.

 

And once I get the clutch off, I am still not sure what I am looking for.

 

Your trying to watch the shifting mechanism that is behind the clutch. Some of it may be visible with out removing the clutch.

Have you tried moving the shift lever now that the cover is off?

 

I have but it still doesn't go to neutral or reverse.

 

can you see the shifting forks at all?

 

No. I need to get the clutch off and the big gear then I can probably see it better.

 

Just noticed the spark plug was not screwed in all the way because it was stripped. So now I need to look into pulling the top off and either adding a new head or rethreading the spark plug hole. Any ideas on either? I would sure like to find a schematic for the engine. I don't mind pulling the head of but not sure what's under it in the way of valves and rods.

 

no need to pull the head. lots of options at your local auto store for repairing sparkplug holes. What ever tool you use cover it in grease to keep the shavings from going in the cyl

 

Would you recommend retapping or using a helicoil insert. It's a small plug, NGK C7HSA. Looks like it is a tapered cylinder hole. The plug is only .388 mm diameter.