I went ahead and shorten it and that did the trick. I also installed a new clutch cover gasket because I had a puddle on my garage floor. That's what I get for reusing it. Called my folks and it's pouring down there. So no riding today.
edit* leak was the cover on the bottom screw of the plate on the front. It's where you have to grind the nubs off to clear the lockup. I cleaned the threads, put a lot of locktite and throw some RTV on the back side. Hopefully it holds. I've never had a problem leaking there in years of doing it. If all else fails, ill epoxy it.