To bring closure to this thread...
Best way to proceed was to break apart the transmission from the engine. Mount the engine on a stand and be able to work with some broken exhaust bolts, get the oil lines back dated, and have it ready for when I get the exhaust system that I want.
I also wanted to inspect the clutch's conditon.
Good news is that it was easy to take it apart. And from inspecting the clutch, fork, etc, everything seems to be new.
Thank you for those that responded to this thread on questions about how to take it apart.
First I needed to remove the two tensioning springs...
Removed the starter, the nuts holding the case to the engine... put the transmission jack... and slide out the transmission. I am so happy that it did not give me a fight.
Clutch fork, gaskets, o-rings, all looks to be new...
Surface rust on the pressure plate...
And clutch disk also looks to be new...
