Hi. Finally figured out my problem. It is all about the spacing. The previous owner of this bike replaced the clutch with a new clutch but they were not the correct plates. I must have re-assembled it 20 times and nothing changed. The rod was not stuck. I was completely lost and about to buy a different engine. Then I checked the old clutch plates which the owner had provided with the bike. The metal plates were identical but the new fiber plates were slightly thicker. I removed one fiber plate put everything back together, re-adjusted and went riding. Hope this helps you. Bill