Removing clutch and gear selector side covers

Hey all! New to posting but long-time lurker. What I have here is an XJ650 from 1982. It is stuck in 5th gear all of a sudden. I hear-tell of a plastic guide for the starter chain that has been known to fail, and fall into the gears? Sounds about right?

Anyways, the main problem here is I am trying to remove the side covers, all but one bold comes right out. The one right behind the foot rest. I took off the actual rest, but it isn't enough. Do I need to take off the actual bit of frame the footrest is bolted to? Is the engine going to fall out if I do that?

Either way I know I am going to need to invest in an air compressor, pneumatic tools, to get that foot rest bar out of there, and most definitely a torque wrench.

Is there an easier way? Halp?

 

No first hand experience with the guide in the gears thing. Probably read what you read.
Seca or Maxim? Either way, I don't think you need to pull any frame bits. Just a big
casting that is frame-like in weight. Held on with lots of crusty
loc-tite. Longer lever helps. Your engine will not
fall out. But, I think some models use the rear engine bolt on those brackets. If that's you, before you pull out the bolt, slip something of similar diameter in the other side to take the load. Torque those back to spec.

 

Loosen the engine mount that also holds the foot pegs (you'll have to put a socket on the shaft head to loosen the nut). Rotate the foot peg out of the way. Ta dah...xj majic.

P.s. - while you're in there check for and clean out any sludge build up in the bottom of the oil separator channel (it's the channel that returns a small amount of oil to the air box).

Gary H.