im sorry i havent been back here with an update
yes, speedrattle is me.
the chaincase had some sort of ATF in it. i finally got annoyed and popped off the plugs and used a mityvac to suck out as much of the oil as i could. then i re-filled up to the level plug with Type F ATF, the old stuff recommended for fords back in the fifties and 60s, and which -- supposedly-- is the correct ATF to use in a wet motorcycle clutch.
correct or not, the clutch was transformed. instead of an on/off, stall or wheelie grabby engagement, the clutch immediately became tractable and smooth, with a progressive engagement that let me leave a stop without the drama i was used to. a complete success.
i dont know what was in the chaincase before. it was some sort of reddish-brown ATF, but whether it was dexron, mercon, or earwax of unicorns i havent a clue.
the change in clutch engagement was immediate. didnt have to wait a few days for the stuff to soak in, it improved in 100 yards.
so im pleased to have got that solved. now all i have to do is buy a production racer kickstart lever from AN, because even my 200 pounds perched on the stock lever wont move it unless i also jump.