Clutch Lifter Piece Stuck on input shaft?
 

Hello Forum, This is my first time posting here. So I am part of a SAE team that uses the CBR600F4i engine. While testing we came across a problem, the clutch wouldnt disengage. We blamed it on the clutch lifter lever breaking due to the driver pressing the clutch too far. However, after opening the right crankcase cover, we saw that the lifter piece was stuck on the input shaft.

We are not well knowledgeable of this engine, but we believe the lifter piece is supposed to freely rotate inside the input shaft and to also be able to slide in and out (when engaging and disengaging the clutch). We believe that is what caused the clutch lifter lever to break inside.

Now my question is, Has this happened to any of you? DO you guys get any regular clutch problem? Also, are we right on assuming that the clutch lifter piece is supposed to rotate freely inside the input shaft? We were able to removed the stuck lifter piece and are planning on replacing it, but I wanted to check with you guys on possible causes for this to happen and maybe how we can avoid it in the future.

Thanks before hand.