[KD5ITM]

Ok so Iv got over 700 miles on my bike now.  Ever since I got it Iv noticed that when down shifting in to first it wants to shift hard in to 1st gear kind of with a clunk.  Im not too overly worried about it but was wondering if any one else clunks in to 1st when down shifting.

And iv noticed that ever since installing the PC V that while the bike is running its hard to get it in to neutral, but when the bike is off it goes in to neutral with no problem.  Any one else have that issue?

[KD5ITM]

About the neutra, could the idle be too high? When warm it's idling around 1100 rpms.

[phoenixt]

As you get more miles on it the transmission will smooth out. 

1100 rpms is within specs.

Steve

[Ice]

  700 miles is not quite broken in yet.   Try down shifting into first at a slower speed than you are currently using and see how that works for you.
 

[KD5ITM]

It clunks even at a dead stop

[Farmer_John]

It clunks even at a dead stop

At least you know it's working. It's just the shafts and dogs and forks and plates moving around inside. Never met a quiet trannie (that worked).

[pearcey2]

Mines got 7000km on the clock but still shifting down at a stop it goes click...click...click...CLUNK
Just a little reminder that I'm in first ready to take off

[mattsz]

My B5 sometimes barely clicks into gear, other times it clunks loudly - switching at random...

But, I watch some Harley riders drop their bikes into 1st by lifting their entire leg up off the peg to drop their foot down onto the lever - the whole bike jumps and it sounds like someone hitting the motor with a hammer, hard.  So I figure it could be worse, and I don't worry about it...

[Farmer_John]

LOL...ever ride an old airhead BMW?

My old CX500 has the noisiest gearbox I've ever known. And come to think of it, a little Suzuki TC100, my first "real" bike way back in the boom days of trail bikes always sounded like it was blowing up when I kicked the crap out of the high/low range lever...

You want smooth, drive a forklift!

[tooseevee]

But, I watch some Harley riders drop their bikes into 1st by lifting their entire leg up off the peg to drop their foot down onto the lever - the whole bike jumps and it sounds like someone hitting the motor with a hammer, hard.

            That's the owner/rider's fault not the bike's. A lot of idiots have been put on harleys since the '80s and way more the last 20 years. A clutch like that is badly in need of adjustment or the clutch needs some other attention.

             I ride a harley with a stock early '77 4-speed. I get no jump or jerk when hitting 1st and totally silent shifts up or down from there on. There's no reason except inattention for a harley (or any other bike) to jump out of your hands when hitting 1st or to try to pull away from you in gear with the clutch pulled.

[KD5ITM]

You're absolutely right, it is a good reminder that you were in first and ready to take off

[mattsz]

LOL...ever ride an old airhead BMW?

Why yes, in fact, I have - the engine ran better, and all the gears shifted smoother and easier than my RE could ever dream of...  since you asked... 

[Arizoni]

KD5ITM

If the transmission won't shift into neutral when the engine is running and the clutch is pulled all the way in, it indicates the clutch needs adjustment.

Check the gap between the clutch lever and the stop when your pushing the lever lightly with one finger.  It should be 2-3 mm (.08-.12 inches).
If it is greater than this, adjust it using the two nuts at the lower end of the cable on the left engine sidecover.

[mattsz]

That's the owner/rider's fault not the bike's. A lot of idiots have been put on harleys since the '80s and way more the last 20 years. A clutch like that is badly in need of adjustment or the clutch needs some other attention.

Well, I've seen it so many times, I just assumed that was the norm - as usual, what's normal isn't always what's right...

[medra42]

I love the clunk when shifting into first on bikes. I liked it on my CB500X, and I like it on my Bonnie and my Conti.

I don't ever want it to go away!