1 gear clunk

I have a 2006 with 10,500 miles that makes a "Clunk" when dropping into first gear.

Any idea ? Clutch master cylinder re-bleed or clutch ? If clutch needs replacement, any idea what would be the average going price for a clutch job from the Honda Dealer ?

Many thanks,

Mike

[image: View Post]clubmyke, on 13 February 2011 - 02:23 AM, said:

I have a 2006 with 10,500 miles that makes a "Clunk" when dropping into first gear.

Any idea ? Clutch master cylinder re-bleed or clutch ? If clutch needs replacement, any idea what would be the average going price for a clutch job from the Honda Dealer ?

Many thanks,

Mike


This most likely has more to do with the constant mesh gears being out of snyc because of the nature of first gear - starting from a dead stop one end stops moving when the bike is stopped, in other words normal operation. My 1200 does that and my old bike did that too. Now if its making a clunk and not going into gear or there are other more viscious noises going on there then I would worry. If the clutch is not slipping, or the bike is not jerking, and the bike is actually engaging into the gears then I would not worry about that clunk.

Do you mean it clunks when shifting into first gear at a standstill? If so, I'd say that's pretty normal, all bikes do this (I'm not sure why manufacturers haven't yet built in the sort of refinement that eliminates this). If you mean it clunks when downshifting to first when on the move, it can be avoided.

You are probably shifting down to first without sort-of-matching revs. Motorcycle gearboxes don't function like the ones we're used to on cars, even though there is a clutch the rider must try to match revs to get the smoothest shifts.

When decelerating to a halt in second gear, try this experiment: pull the clutch in (engine at idle), push the gear lever half way to get the box into neutral, and click first gear in at exactly 7mph (or 11kmh), it should be butter smooth. The reason why we're all getting a solid clunk when putting the bike in gear at standstill is that revs simply can't be matched (unless the engine is not running). The same logic applies at higher speeds using a bit of throttle, but 2-N-1 shifts are always a bit tricky.

Regards,
Bruckner

mine clunks if you shift it into first from a stand still. thats why when im riding i shift into first right before i stop.

Hey guys - thanks for the info.

It happens when at a complete standstill ( ie starting out of the garage or dropping into first gear at a green light from neutral).

Standard operating procedure. It's just the nature of the gearbox. I know it sounds alarming, but it's normal.

Completely normal. All that heavy steel of the gears is spinning around in your transmission when in neutral. When you click the shifter into 1st, about one-half of that rotating steel has to stop spinning instantly....thus the clunk and the very slight forward lurch of the bike.

No damage. No future damage. No worries.

It's totally normal. Every bike I've owned made that sound when going from neutral in to first. If there's any grinding or clashing of gears then you might need to bleed the clutch or maybe have another problem. As long as it's a smooth solid "clunk" when going in to low it's normal. It might tend to be notchy when the oil is cold, but should smooth out when the temp comes up. Keeping the oil changed will also help with the smoothness of your shifts. Ride it and don't worry about it.

adjust your chain...

Whew !! Many Thanks !!!

I find holding the clutch lever in for about 10-15 seconds before shifting into 1st eliminates that. It stops or at least slows down the spinning parts & allows them to mesh together easier.