Grind and/or Clunk going down into first gear.

[Pelikan]

Sometimes when I go down into first gear, it's a nice soft click.  At least fifty percent of the time, I get a CLUNK, or worse, a GRIND/CLUNK.  I've been conscious to having the clutch all the way in...any thoughts?

[LEMON8]

i always get a clunk going into first from a stand still. clutch filling in. I thought it was just the way of the bike.

It doesn't happen on any other gears. I dont think i get a clunk when i downshift into first.

[Pelikan]

A few weeks ago I adjusted the clutch lever up, which at least gave the illusion of better grip.  Also, when I had it rejetted it came back with idle speed something like 1500 RPM.  Adjusted clutch back down and idle to a proper range...tooling around in my parking garage, wasn't getting any clunks.  We'll see.

[skirecs]

clutch is dragging slightly

the dogs are just bouncing a little before sliding in

[mister]

Before anyone can say it is a problem we'd need to know under what Conditions you go into first.

First click of the day while the engine is still cold but warming. A kind of clunk. This is Normal.

Under what other conditions are you experiencing a clunk?

Michael

[LEMON8]

First click of the day while the engine is still cold but warming. A kind of clunk. This is Normal.

thats when i get my clunk. I never noticed it at any other times but i will pay attention next time. its a strong clunk, like there is no question i put it into first.

[Pelikan]

Going into first, bike warm, approaching a stop. Seems to clunk out a good portion of the time unless the bike is dead stopped going into first.  And this is with clutch all the way in.

[mister]

First click of the day while the engine is still cold but warming. A kind of clunk. This is Normal.

thats when i get my clunk. I never noticed it at any other times but i will pay attention next time. its a strong clunk, like there is no question i put it into first.

You probably experience a slight move forward from the bike too, right? This is Normal. A GS500 quirk. And the Clunk is worse the higher the RPMs are when you do it first thing. If the bike has not warmed properly enough and you have the idle low, this first clunk may also stall the bike. Again, this is normal.

Going into first, bike warm, approaching a stop. Seems to clunk out a good portion of the time unless the bike is dead stopped going into first.  And this is with clutch all the way in.

Then my first thought is, you are trying to put it into 1st either too quick/hard instead of letting gentle pressure on the gear select lever doing it - or - trying to put it into 1st gear while you're going too fast. I put it into 1st just as I am about stopped.

I'd also wonder how old your oil is and what type of oil you are using.

Michael

[Pelikan]

It may well be that I'm just moving too fast, but I only look for first right before stopping.  I've also read to leave the clutch in for a few extra seconds when going down into first?  Maybe that's it?

Either way, oil is Motul 7100 with about 1500 miles on it.  Will go with 300v next time.

[mister]

It may well be that I'm just moving too fast, but I only look for first right before stopping.  I've also read to leave the clutch in for a few extra seconds when going down into first?  Maybe that's it?

Either way, oil is Motul 7100 with about 1500 miles on it.  Will go with 300v next time.

Hmmm. I'll pay closer attention to what I'm doing - speed wise - and report back.

Michael

[ben2go]

Cold shifting
Forced shifting
Clutch or cable out of adjustment
Chain tension to tight or loose
Oil level in correct
Wrong weight or grade of oil
Clutch friction disc or plates burnt,worn,or sticky

These are the issues that cause a clunky gear change other than operator error.

[Pelikan]

Cold shifting
Forced shifting
Clutch or cable out of adjustment
Chain tension to tight or loose
Oil level in correct
Wrong weight or grade of oil
Clutch friction disc or plates burnt,worn,or sticky

These are the issues that cause a clunky gear change other than operator error.

I guess I'll just assume operator error for the time being.  It's only going down into first when the bike isn't completely stopped.  I'll be paying more attention to the circumstances that causes it.

[ben2go]

Cold shifting
Forced shifting
Clutch or cable out of adjustment
Chain tension to tight or loose
Oil level in correct
Wrong weight or grade of oil
Clutch friction disc or plates burnt,worn,or sticky

These are the issues that cause a clunky gear change other than operator error.

I guess I'll just assume operator error for the time being.  It's only going down into first when the bike isn't completely stopped.  I'll be paying more attention to the circumstances that causes it.

At least that's the easiest and cheapest one to fix. 

[CndnMax]

Itwill clunk when the bike is cold because the cold oil on the clutch allows it to catch. Should only do this once. Grinding when going to first means your RPM don't match up with the lower gear. Ether shift to first at slower speed or rev match.

[Pelikan]

Wouldn't revving make it worse?

Either way, was out today, and I know the first "clunk" you guys are talking about, and that's not it.  It sounds like a RAAAHHH -- grinding -- then the thing clunks into gear.  Happens downshifting into second and first.

[CndnMax]

Wouldn't revving make it worse?

Either way, was out today, and I know the first "clunk" you guys are talking about, and that's not it.  It sounds like a RAAAHHH -- grinding -- then the thing clunks into gear.  Happens downshifting into second and first.

What's ur speed and rpm when shifting? If ur going around 20mph and try to shift into first at 1.5k RPM it will grind and not want to go into gear. Rev up to around 3.5k and it shift smoothly. This is the only situation where I've encountered grinding so idk what else could do it.

[madjak30]

Wouldn't revving make it worse?

Either way, was out today, and I know the first "clunk" you guys are talking about, and that's not it.  It sounds like a RAAAHHH -- grinding -- then the thing clunks into gear.  Happens downshifting into second and first.

Do you get a lurch when it does shift into the lower gear?  Almost sounds like the clutch plates aren't completely dissengaging...but blipping the throttle should lessen the effect...I was having the clunk, until I started giving the throttle a blip during each downshift...problem dissapeared...(not a grinding like you are describing though)

If the throttle action doesn't cure the problem, it could be a bigger issue...

Later.

[Pelikan]

Went out again.  I think it's just me wanting to downshift when the bike is moving a bit too fast.  The clutch may also be dragging slightly; when going into first there's a very, very slight forward lurch, but this may be because the bike hadn't fully warmed up yet.

[kman]

the clunk will be back instead of forward if the revs are lower than the bike speed.  There is probably a clunk in the others but the speed difference will be less so the clunk will be less.  Also first gear has the most mechanical advantage so the same sized clunk will feel much bigger.  Rev matching is a good practice as it will let you have a smoother downshift when you need more acceleration and can let you engine brake more smoothly.  You can also burn more gas by engine braking with rev matching so it may not be worth it to you.  If you do not rev match you can cause the back tire to slide when you let out the clutch, especially in lower gears

[Pelikan]

the clunk will be back instead of forward if the revs are lower than the bike speed.  There is probably a clunk in the others but the speed difference will be less so the clunk will be less.  Also first gear has the most mechanical advantage so the same sized clunk will feel much bigger.  Rev matching is a good practice as it will let you have a smoother downshift when you need more acceleration and can let you engine brake more smoothly.  You can also burn more gas by engine braking with rev matching so it may not be worth it to you.  If you do not rev match you can cause the back tire to slide when you let out the clutch, especially in lower gears

The clunk i'm referring to is auditory, not physical movement.

I'm not getting that grind after releasing the clutch...it's there when clutch is in and I go to shift, so I can't see how rev matching will help.  That said, I'm going to be more conscious of riding habits and see if I can avert the problem by downshifting at more appropriate speeds.